August in Honfleur, Normandy and France:

25th August 2024 commemorates the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Honfleur by the Piron Brigade in which our Twin Town will pay homage to those that fell in battle to free the town from German occupation.

The Honfleur Regatta is a popular sailing event that takes place in August, attracting participants and spectators from near and far. The Regatta offers an exciting opportunity to witness competitive sailing races and enjoy the festive atmosphere along the waterfront. It’s a unique and exhilarating experience that captures the spirit of the sea and the vibrant energy of Honfleur.

Also taking place in August, the Honfleur Art Market comes alive with a vibrant display of local artwork, crafts, and handmade goods. Visitors can take a stroll through the market and browse a diverse selection of paintings, sculptures, jewellery, and more, all created by talented artists and artisans. This is the perfect opportunity to support the local arts community in Honfleur.

Many thanks to Vice-Chair, Mark Moorhouse, for the piece above.

What’s happening in the Sandwich Honfleur Twinning Association?

France may have bid farewell to the Olympic flame, whilst many of the French nation are enjoying their traditional August break in places such as the Riviera, but the SHTA Committee is flexing its muscles in readiness for a new season.

Sandra and I spent four days at the start of August in Honfleur with our usual exchange partners, Patricia and Jocelyn Lefranc, the latter of whom, along with Frédéric Lecomte and three further thespian colleagues, performed an impressive theatrical evening around the streets of Honfleur. Also, we were treated to dinner on the beach in Villerville, visited the beautiful small town of Pont Audemer, and were amazed by the new immersive exhibition of ‘La Mora’, the ship which William the Conqueror sailed to Britain in 1066 to defeat Harold at the Battle of Hastings and assume the English throne.

Our Honfleur couple of friends will return to us towards the end of August, but the Biennial Group Visit to Sandwich will take place from Thursday 31st October to Sunday 3rd November. Pierre Jan, President of the Honfleur Association, has recently confirmed that their group will be in the region of 41 in number, so plans for hosting have moved on a stage. Interesting fact for you: the following year will be the Millennium of the founding of Honfleur; therefore, visitors from Sandwich making the trip to Honfleur in 2025 are in for a special treat. Participation this year would definitely stand you in good stead to make that list! There’s still time to be involved as a host for this Autumn.

July witnessed the SHTA Annual General Meetingon Thursday 18th July. Apart from a report of the past 12 months’ activities and summary of accounts, the evening also saw the election of the SHTA Committee for 2024-2025. The following members were elected:

• Chair: Stuart Jones
• Vice-Chair: Mark Moorhouse
• Secretary: Steve Thomson
• Treasurer: Steve Laslett
• Committee Members: Carly Cooper; Sandra Jones; Siobhan Matthews;

Christine Ratcliffe; Rick Ratcliffe.

Congratulations to the newly-elected members of the Committee who look forward to presenting a full and interesting programme of activities for the coming year and hope to secure your continued support.

A week after the AGM, the now annual Bangers & Boules Competition took place on Thursday 25th July at the Anchor Pub in Wingham. This year’s victors were Sandra Breen (for a second successive year!), Steve Thomson and Rick Ratcliffe, playing for ‘La Défense’, who beat the threesome representing ‘Stade de France’.

The 2024-2025 Film Season, the monthly opportunity from September through to June for our members to socialise and see a variety of genres on the big screen at the Empire Cinema, begins on Wednesday 11th September when we’ll be screening ‘Anatomie d’une Chute’, nominated this year in the main section of the Oscars for Best Film. A fuller description will be in next month’s newsletter but you can reply to this email and book your place now. Admission to film nights remains at £7.50 per head and priority will be given to members who book in advance.

The AGM agreed that the Membership Subscription should also remain at the existing price of £12.50 per head. As before, please make every effort to pay this by the end of September.

Whilst you have your diary to hand, paper or electronic, could I suggest that you make a note of the SHTA Christmas Dinner & Party which will again this year be at Tan Bueno Restaurant in Sandwich on Thursday 5th December. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to have a clash with other festive events, so this is notice for you to let us know that you’d like to reserve your place, and look forward to an evening of entertainment.

In the remainder of August the SHTA Committee will be finalising the programme of events for the 2024-2025 season, so the September Newsletter and your Member’s Card will bring you all of these dates as well as film titles from September to June.

Hoping that you enjoy the rest of the Summer, we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible very soon.

Best wishes from Stuart, Mark and the Committee