Dear SHTA Friends,
To any one of you who hasn’t been on the end of this greeting, may we, the SHTA Committee, wish you a belated Happy New Year!
As ever, a new year starts with fresh hope, enthusiasm and a good deal of anticipation. Certainly, in the case of SHTA, we look forward to a full and varied programme of events in 2023, and this newsletter focuses on those coming up in the next six months.
Next week sees the resumption of our French Film Season and runs through to June. You’re invited to the Empire Cinema to come and see ‘Amélie’, a much-loved film which we have shown some years ago, on Wednesday 18th January.
If you would like to come along to see what, for many, is their favourite film of all time, simply send an email to Jan Cooper on jannicooper@icloud.com and ask her to reserve you a seat. The film carries an R certification and lasts 2 hours and 3 minutes. As always, the cinema doors will open at 7.00 for a 7.30 pm start, the cost remaining at £7.50. Here’s what Rotten Tomatoes has to say about it:
“Amélie is a fanciful comedy about a young woman who discretely orchestrates the lives of the people around her, creating a world exclusively of her own making. Shot in over 80 Parisian locations, acclaimed director Jean-Pierre Jeunet (‘Delicatessen’, ‘The City of Lost Children’) invokes his incomparable visionary style to capture the exquisite charm and mystery of modern-day Paris through the eyes of a beautiful ingenue.”
So that you can plan your social engagements around your monthly French films, here are the dates of future SHTA film nights at The Empire:
Wed. 15th February: ‘Les Lyonnais’
Wed. 15th March: ‘Le Château De Ma Mère’
Wed. 19th April: ‘Des Vents Contraires’
Wed. 17th May: ‘Les Femmes Du 6ème Étage’
Wed. 14th June: ‘L’École Buissonnière’
As mentioned in December, we are planning to hold a Cheese & Wine Quiz on Saturday evening 15th April at St Clement’s Hall in Sandwich. Our person in charge for this event is Committee member Steve Thomson who will provide you with further details in the February newsletter, but the clues are in the title: there will be cheese, wine and a quiz! If you’d like to sign up early, do please let Steve know; his contact details, along with the rest of the Committee, are below.
Shortly after the May film, we will be holding a Pique-nique on the Quay. The actual date will be Monday 22nd May at 1.00 pm. and, in addition to having a chat with friends, enjoying your lunch and possibly holding a de-brief on the film, you’ll also be able to hone your technique when it comes to playing boules. This might help if you’re thinking of joining us for Bangers & Boules at the Anchor Pub in Wingham on Thursday 27th July.
You’ll be aware that we have our Group Trip to Honfleur this year from Friday 23rd – Monday 26th June. On the one hand we are delighted to announce that we have now reached our maximum number of 48 people to participate which is, of course, great news. On the other hand this does mean that anyone else who wants to be involved will have their name on a reserve list only. However, all sorts of things happen in people’s lives, so being on that list may see you joining the group after all. A big thank you to all of you who have signed up and thanks for your initial details. We’re in touch with Pierre Jan in Honfleur on a regular basis and, together, we will be arranging accommodation with hosts as our next priority.
The remaining activity in the first half of 2023 to bring to your attention is the now traditional ‘Le Week-end’ on Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th June, when SHTA will, once more, be holding a stall in Market Street. We shall be asking for volunteers nearer the time.
This newsletter concludes with the very sad news that Chris Adlam, a long-time member of SHTA, passed away on 31st December 2022. Chris spent his last years fighting Parkinsons and dementia, but he will be fondly remembered for his grace, dry sense of humour and constant support, along with Carol, for SHTA, attending many functions and visiting Honfleur. Chris was the most intelligent person you could imagine but you wouldn’t have guessed it on first meeting him, such were his modesty and quiet manner. He worked for many years in senior positions for GSK, including some years in France. There will be a service of remembrance for Chris on Friday 27th January at St Clement’s Church in Sandwich at 2.30 pm., followed by refreshments at the Tollbridge Restaurant on the Quay. Carol, Nicki and David would love to see all of their SHTA friends there to celebrate and remember Chris’ life. If you would like to attend please contact Carol on candcadlam@gmail.com.
Best wishes, Stuart & the Committee