The beginning of February brings tangible signs of lighter evenings and signs of Spring with only 7 weeks until the clocks go forward for British Summer Time. In France the month of February begins with La Chandeleur (Crêpe Day) on the 2nd when people traditionally eat Pancakes and drink Cider !
As in the United Kingdom. Valentine’s Day (La Saint Valentin) is celebrated on the 14th
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Across The Channel from us in Sandwich is the 3 day wild bike racing on the beaches at Le Touquet, Stella and Merlimont known as Enduropale. This is held during the first weekend of the month and features thousands of bikes and hundreds of quad bikes involved in a race circuit on the beach. More than 150,000 spectators turn up for this event to cheer the racers on.
The town of Calais also hosts a wine and food fair at the Forum Gambetta during the first weekend of the month – wine producers from all over France converge to present their wines supported by regional food producers.
Moving to the Région de Normandie the coastal town of Granville in the neighbouring Département de la Manche (105 miles / 2 hours west of Honfleur in Département du Calvados) is the annual Mardi Gras which has been celebrated since 1872. This carnival’s origins were as a feast prepared by the wives of fishermen leaving to catch cod, these days it features parades, the wearing of masks and making new friends and this year is being held between 17th and 21st February
As stated in our January Newsletter, we look forward to a full and varied programme of events in 2023, and this newsletter focuses on those coming up prior to our Annual General Meeting in July. You’ll also find all of the information on our updated website at:
sandwichhonfleurtwinning.org.uk
Our French Film Season runs through to June. You’re invited to the Empire Cinema to come and see ‘Les Lyonnais’, on Wednesday 15th February. If you would like to come along, 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 1 hour and 42 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:
“Edmond and Serge form the Gang des Lyonnais, a gang responsible for numerous armed robberies in the 1970s.”
This crime drama was released in 2011 and is loosely based upon the true story of former bank robber Edmond ‘Momon’ Vidal who is forced to look into his past as leader of the most notorious armed robbery gangs of the early 1970s when his best friend and former partner in crime comes out of hiding to seek his help.
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 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 our last Newsletter, our committee member Steve Thomson is organising a Cheese & Wine Pairing Evening on Saturday evening 15th April at St. Clement’s Church Hall in Sandwich. Do come and join us for a fun cheese and wine pairing, with 6 different French cheeses with wine selections to match. There will be a prize for those of you who agree with the matches the Quiz Master has chosen, along with a couple of table quizzes with prizes for the table with the top score.Doors open at 7pm for a 7.15 start and will cost members and their guests £20 per head. If you’d like to sign up early, do please let Steve know.
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.
Best Wishes, Mark (Vice Chairman) on behalf of Stuart & the Committee
