I was delighted to be asked to report on the darts and quiz event at Jaques and Catherine’s beautiful house. The day was perfect, considering we are at the mid-point of February! What could be more British than sharing a few drinks, a sumptuous feed and a game of darts with good friends, to say nothing of Dave’s excellent quiz.
That was exactly what we all enjoyed this Sunday. The spread, provided by all of those present, was varied, plentiful and superbly judged, old favourites combined with exciting dishes, new to many of us. It was then on to a gut-busting selection of puddings.
I think, like many others, that our committee had chosen a perfect event in the ideal setting, providing a much-needed respite from the dreariness of winter. The joyous assembly was sadly marred by Catherine’s illness, which had forced her to remain in bed. She was most sadly missed as our “hostess with the mostest” although the redoubtable Jaques did a fine job in filling the void. We all wish her a rapid and complete recovery, but also pass our thanks to the committee who enabled the event to be another roaring success.
Thank you all, and a special thank you to Alan for his guidance through the mysteries of darts, a sport clearly new to many, but one that they will not now forget.
It may, initially, seem a little incongruous for a group of English speaking people to assemble on Robbie Burns’ birthday to celebrate him and his poetry but, as you can imagine, the opportunity to use the occasion to share a haggis and a wee dram was too inviting for most of us to miss.
Needless to say it was a sharp frost that January morning but the welcome at Les Unelles was warm and the committee members had been hard at work preparing the tables which were beautifully prepared in blue and tartan, decorated with votives and sprays of heather.
Tartan drapes also festooned the rails. A portrait of a young, confident and debonair Robert Burns was displayed at the entrance, leaving no ambiguity as to why we were there. It was a pleasant opportunity to mingle and chat with a welcome drink in our hand and, with interesting aromas escaping from the distant kitchen where the haggis luncheon was being prepared, a treat was anticipated.
The presentation of the haggis was wonderfully orchestrated and, with distant bagpipes echoing around, the ceremony began. Kerry, dressed in a wonderful kilt, brought some haggis up from the kitchen on a ceremonial platter to be admired by all and then Jock gave us a real treat by addressing the haggis, reciting Burns’ Ode to a Haggis, all from memory, and in the original version too.
The haggis were then taken back to the kitchen for serving and were shortly returned to the table accompanied by tatties and neeps as well as that wee dram. The flavours were superb. A vegetarian option had been prepared which most people needed to sample out of curiosity. It was all a very successful arrangement of flavours, beautifully cooked by Polly. I am reliably informed that no haggis suffered unnecessarily in the making of this meal, other than the indignity of being cooked and eaten by Sassenachs. Second helpings were available, in fact I think I had a third. A beautifully creamy, oats and raspberry Cranachan desert followed.
After the meal we had the pleasure of hearing John McA (note the Mc) talk about the life, issue and poetry of Robert Burns. John had done some considerable research into the subject and had produced a leaflet for us all. It was most informative. I got a little confused by the complexity of the numerous issue of Robbie Burns, and so too did Mr Burns, it would appear. John also recited a Burns poem — To a Mouse – on Turning up in Her Nest with the Plough, November 1785:
Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim’rous beastie, O what a pannic’s in thy breastie!
John, of course, got a very appreciative round of applause for his research and entertaining presentation. Now a few more English speaking men and women know more than they ever did about Robert Burns. The event was very nicely themed and brought to something of an exhaustive conclusion with first a demonstration of some Scottish Country dancing by the Dance Group, and then some energetic wheeling and slipping by several other members who were invited to join in.
Great fun was had by all. A final “Thank You” was given to all responsible for this very enjoyable entertainment and feast — the members of our committee, Kerry, Jock, John and the chef. Several people remarked how nice it had been and were particularly appreciative of the themed nature of the afternoon – “ It would be nice to do another themed event in the future.” Suggestions, on a postcard please, to the committee, complete with offers of contributions.
Despite having only been a local resident for 18 months, I’ve learned 2 very important things about the Association Anglophone’s annual Christmas lunch.
First, it’s advisable to wrap up very well for the occasion, as winter seems to feel that it has a standing invitation and always greets the day with an icy blast. Second, it’s probably the most important social event of the Association’s year from the point of view of both attendance and cumulative merriment. Indeed, it’s so important that it really deserves 2 reviewers.
The first was provided by our friend – let’s call her Mrs S – when we delivered her back from the event to her home and hubby, Ebeneezer, who’d preferred to stay at home listening to Brexit news and was in dire need of seasonal cheer.
Her responses to him went as follows. How was the restaurant? – Beautiful – and the food? – Delicious – Lots of people there? – about 80, so I need a rest! – and with that she disappeared upstairs, having said all that needed to be said.Even so, I feel the event deserves a little extra description. The venue and meal were indeed as described by Mrs S, but it should be stressed that the restaurant was especially warm, light and spacious, whilst service was efficient and friendly.
The general consensus seemed to be that the Committee had done well to find a venue, which added to the pleasures of the occasion. In particular, its lay-out facilitated mingling and mingling is an essential aspect of this event as everyone wants to take every opportunity to greet old friends, swap news not to mention gossip and extend festive invitations. In fact, so extensive and noisy was the mingling, that it led to Mrs S’s sole factual error, because by my count there were just under 50 guests present, not the 80 or so that she and others understandably believed.
Suffice it to say that chatter and hilarity prevailed for over 4 hours and a good time was had by all. We benefited from the stentorian tones of Jacques, who alone could call the assembly to order and establish the silence necessary for such essentials as thanks being given to the Committee and the restaurant staff and most important of all, the auction of table settings and the raffle, which was ably and impartially conducted by Jean-Christian.
Finally, I understand that the resplendent Christmas crackers, which adorned the tables, were donated by Cheryl and Sean even though they couldn’t attend. Very generous indeed, though personally it would be appreciated if in future crackers without jokes could be provided, as I’m worried that my reply to a request, from the non-English speaking lady who was sat next to me, to explain the pun involving an elephant’s trunk, which had fallen into her starter, may have irreparably set back Anglo-French relations.
Odds on that when Catherine and Jacques originally planned and proposed a date for their‘Belgian Lunch’, they never dreamt that it would coincide with the first day of mass ‘Gilets Jaunes’protests throughout France where main roads were blocked. Nevertheless with members of theAnglophone Association having booked their places, with our ‘Gilets Jaunes’ on the dashboard, all made it to the event!
The other thing that this date coincided with was that it was the first day of extremely cold weather to hit Normandy, but a warm welcome met us as we arrived at Catherine and Jacques’ home, LeBretonnière. They not only have a lovely house but also have a huge barn that has been converted into a ‘Salle de Fetes’! Wine, canapés and nibbles were offered on arrival and this got everyone in party mood!
The meal was excellent starting with Chicory wrapped in Ham, followed by a Beef and Kidney or just Beef Stew with Mash Potatoes AND Braised Apples all washed down with wine, water or what ever anyone fancied. The dessert ‘Dame Blanche’ was well prepared and went down a treat with everyone,the chocolate sauce was excellent and we have to presume that it was Belgian Chocolate that Catherine had prepared to pour over the ice cream that was then topped with Chantilly.
During the meal the sun came out and many guests took a stroll in the land that surrounds LeBretonnière – the sun always adds the ‘well being’ factor and coupled with a most convivial afternoon,this date gets added to the list of memorable functions planned and held by the AnglophoneAssociation and its members. A BIG thank you to Catherine and Jacques for taking the time and putting in all the effort to prepare the lovely lunch AND for inviting members of the Association to their home.
Some thirty members met on Tuesday morning at Le Poulailler for coffee and viennoiseries prior to the AGM. This was a chance to renew their membership and to meet with friends old and new for a chat. Our friendly host was busy preparing
drinks for the growing number of members arriving.
The business of the day was soon under way at Les Unelles. This year, there was a short presentation from our previous charity, Parentibus, who explained the organisation
and how the charity had grown recently. Our President presented Parentibus with a cheque for 650€.
Later in the meeting, Louise reported on the activities of the
Association during the previous year.
Three new members of the Committee were voted in, a charity was selected and a raffle won. Members stayed chatting after the meeting for some time before walking to
the La Taverene du Parvis for lunch.
For our trip to Giverny, near Vernon, we were blessed with perhaps the
warmest day of the year. Due to an early start we arrived in Giverny
before it became very busy and we had a wonderful opportunity to see
the garden without crowds of other visitors. After a cold spring the tulips were still glorious and the blossom was breathtakingly beautiful throughout the village.
Monet’s house has also been re-created in its original style using many of Monet’s own furniture, fittings and artefacts.
More than forty members met to celebrate the New Year and our Anniversary Year at Chris R’s gîte, where a generous spread of buffet food, Galettes des Rois and an anniversary celebration cake was provided by the Committee and accompanied by Crémant d’Alsace.
Annette, our founder member, attended and was quizzed by many about the early days of the Association,before cutting the cake.
Members were able to browse a selection of earlier Newsletters, photographs and the archive of the records of the Association, which charts its activities and events from 1993.
Louise’s speech confirmed that the Association was going from strength to strength with an ever increasing variety of activities and interest groups.
Write up of the visit and photos courtesy of members.
You may already know that some of our craftier members have been busy creating a banner to help make the
Anglophone Association more visible at events, such as the annual fair at Les Unelles, where we had a stand to promote the Association. On Tuesday, 5 September, the Craft Group members gathered at Sharon and Alan’s home for lunch, after which, the finished banner was presented to our President.
The plans for the banner began late last year, with meetings over coffee and cake, and it was decided to have a large central panel along with two separate, narrower, side panels. The panels can then be hung together, or separately, depending on how much space the association is allocated at an event.
Golden-yellow was chosen for the background, with accents of red, white and blue to reflect the colours of the French and British flags.
At the start of this year work began in earnest, with all of the craft group members – helped along by more coffee and cake- embellishing squares, which depict the association’s various activities.
These squares were then sewn onto the side panels, whilst the central panel was decorated with the name of the Association and its logo, along with the Union and Tricolor flags
in miniature.
The end result is a striking banner, which, hopefully, will increase our visibility and give a positive impression of the Association.
A big thank you is due to Sharon and her group of crafters – Daniele, Catherine,
Yvonne, Karen, Ann and Judi.
Not wanting to wait for La Rentrée, 11 keen members got together on 21 August for the first of the French conversation groups.
Introductions (in French of course) were made and various aspects of the weather discussed and phrases learnt. Hopefully everyone gained from the discussion and learnt at least that it’s OK to open your mouth and see what French comes out!
Louise and David welcomed sixty-two members of the Anglophone Association to the Annual Fête nationale.
The weather was, once again, kind to us and we were able to enjoy a delightful buffet lunch sitting under the Normandy sunshine.
Many thanks to all the committee members who right royally provided such a feast.
The serious business of the day, The Boules and The Welly Wanging, then began. Almost everyone who attended the lunch took part in these events, and those who were not actually playing played their part by providing vocal support and encouragement to all competitors.
The hard fought Boules Competition was eventually won by Jerry and Peter. Jerry, of course, is the returning Champion and was partnered for the first time by Peter.
After much hilarity in the field of play, Sophie was crowned Ladies’ Welly Wanging Champion and Ray the Men’s Welly Wanging Champion. All Champions received awards to mark their achievement and we congratulate them.
A raffle was held with the monies going to Parentibus, our nominated charity.
All winners were duly photographed with their prizes.
The Lucky Dip Bin, which was excellent value, proved to be a great success as it guaranteed not only one prize but two all for the sum of one euro.
Soon it was time for us to say thank you to our Committee for all their hard work and take our leave. Stevie proposed a Vote of Thanks to the Committee, seconded by everyone.
