Dear SHTA Members & Friends,
Somehow or other we now find ourselves in the second half of the calendar year, and the end of the SHTA season beckons with our AGM due later this month. More of that further on in this newsletter. Firstly, with news of mid-Summer events in France, here is an introduction from Vice-Chair, Mark Moorhouse:
In Honfleur, Normandy and France:
From 4th to 7th July the world’s largest sailing ships return to Le Havre for the start of The Tall Ships Races (Les Grandes Voiles Du Havre). This is an opportunity to admire exceptional sailing ships such as Belem, Capitán Miranda, Morgenster and Dar Mlodziezy. More than 40 boats are registered for this 2025 event.
During these 4 days of festivities, visitors will have free access to the boats and can take part in a variety of activities, including concerts, fireworks, the famous crew parade and the boat parade. On 7th July the ships will set sail for Dunkirk, then onwards to Aberdeen and then Kristiansand in Norway, before concluding their journey in Esbjerg, Denmark.
To commemorate the centenary of the death of Erik Satie on 1st July 1925 the Médiathèque de Honfleur is offering a screening of The Trap of Medusa (Le Piège de Méduse) on Saturday 5th July , a one-act lyrical comedy composed in 1913. Blending absurdist theatre and music, the work presents a whimsical and off–beat universe in which the audience will follow the misadventures of Baron Méduse, an eccentric character, his daughter Frisette, Astolpho, her lover, and Polycarpe, the Baron’s valet. When Astolpho asks the Baron for Frisette’s hand in marriage, the latter, taken by surprise, invents the ultimate stratagem to ensure the suitor’s good feelings.
On Saturday 12th July Honfleur’s neighbouring commune of La Rivière-Saint-Sauveur hosts the Colour Festival in which festival-goers are encouraged to wear white t-shirts for maximum effect as coloured powders and water are launched at them by other festival-goers as they enjoy an open air concert. It is an event inspired by the Holi festival which is celebrated in India and Nepal and involves throwing coloured powders (gulal) and coloured water at each other, symbolizing the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil – however Holi takes place in March.
14th July will be 236th Anniversary of the Bastille prison in Paris being stormed in 1789 – a major turning point for the French Revolution and the nation’s history. in Honfleur the Vieux Bassin will become the focal point for La Fête Nationale Française with a spectacular annual firework display which is launched from the east pier of the harbour. Visitors can also enjoy entertainment themed around maritime traditions or take part in a torchlight procession.
Many thanks, as usual, to Mark for the intro above to this month’s newsletter.
What’s happening in the Sandwich Honfleur Twinning Association?
Since our film season finishes with the June film and re-commences in September, there’s no forthcoming cinema news to tell you about this month or next. Our sub-committee for film selections will be meeting shortly to make choices for SHTA films from September 2025 – June 2026. If you have any suggestions you’d like to add to the mix, whether they be recent, older, drama, comedy, historical, thriller, action or romantic, we’d be pleased to hear from you. The greater the choice the better, and we like to have as many members’ selections included as possible.
Last month saw Sandwich’s version of a French town during ‘Le Weekend’ on 7th and 8th June. New organiser, Mark Moorhouse, would like to thank all of those SHTA members who contributed towards making the weekend a success, either in advance or over the two days themselves. Thanks go also to all members who were on the SHTA stand for a stint in promoting our Association.
For many members the Group Trip to Honfleur is the highlight of the year. The biennial trip took place this year from Thursday 19th – Sunday 22nd June and was blessed by exceptionally good weather. On their outward journey, after taking in a lunch stop en route at Le Touquet, the group arrived in Honfleur to meet their hosts and spend their first evening with them. Friday was a full day consisting of a visit to Pegasus Bridge, the first point to be liberated by the Allies towards the end of the Second World War; a stop in Caen for lunch and sights such as the Castle and Fine Arts Museum; and, in the evening, the Sandwich group’s pièce de résistance: their performance of three Beatles songs whilst dressed in 60’s/70’s outfits, to an audience of their hosts.
Saturday, another beautifully hot day, included a visit to La Mora Museum in Honfleur. This features a reconstruction of William the Conqueror’s flagship which sailed to England prior to The Battle of Hastings; also there is an immersive experience covering 1000 years of naval history all centred on Honfleur. We were then treated to a reception offered by the Mayor of Honfleur who addressed the combined group, followed by a reply from the SHTA Chair. Much of the remainder of the day was focussed on enjoying being in the town and a whole variety of musicians involved in the ‘Fête de la Musique’.
Above: Farewells for Honfleur hosts and their Sandwich guests.
Our final day started with an appreciative Sandwich group saying farewell to their hosts and then embarking on their return journey, taking in an essential shopping visit to Auchan, followed by lunch stop at Fécamp on the coast. Our excellent driver secured our slot on the Channel Tunnel crossing before arriving back in Sandwich. I suspect 39 SHTA members slept well that night with plenty of fond and vivid memories.
Those who took part in the exchange are anticipating arrangements for hosting the Honfleur Group in 2026. Committee members from both Sandwich and Honfleur have already agreed that next year’s visit to Sandwich will be from Thursday 14th – Sunday 17th May. Please let me know whether you’d like to be involved as hosts as soon as it’s convenient for you.
Looking forward to the more immediate future, the BBC weather forecast predicts that there’ll be sun and about 24 degrees on Monday 7th July. Assuming that’s accurate, you might like to join us for a Picnic on the Quay Green between 12.00 noon and around 2.00 pm. Simply bring your packed lunch, a drink and maybe a deckchair to come for a casual chat with other members. See you down there!
Ten days later we’ll be holding our Annual General Meeting which will take place on Thursday 17th Julyin the Jury Room at Sandwich Guildhall, starting at 7.00 pm. This is a round-up of the past 12 months, gives all members a chance to have their say and ask questions, as well as being the time to elect a new committee for the season 2025-2026. Hopefully, you have received an agenda for the evening in addition to last year’s AGM minutes. Prior to the meeting we ask you to nominate and/or second anyone, including those currently on the Committee, via email, whom you’d like to see elected to the new committee. The SHTA Constitution requires that this be done 14 days before the meeting. We look forward to seeing as many members as possible on the night. There will be wine, cheese and biscuits available on the night. The new committee will be approaching you regarding your availability to help over the next 12 months.
The yearly SHTA Bangers & Boules Tournamentwill take place a week later on Thursday 24th July at The Anchor Pub in Wingham, with games starting at 6.00 pm. We have a full roster of players now but anyone is welcome to come along to spectate and join us for the meal afterwards, costing a mere £18 and consisting of meat-based or plant-based sausages, mash, onion gravy and seasonal vegetables, followed by crumble and custard or ice-cream or sorbet (various flavours for both). Just reply to this if you’re interested.
Into August now, and this paragraph applies to all of those who have joined SHTA in the past 12-18 months: there will be a New Members’ Evening on Thursday 28th August. 24 people fit this description, so, if you think you’re one of these, you’re invited to come to ‘The Waiting Room’, opposite the Guildhall in Sandwichto meet other newish members as well as the nine on the Committee. It’s a chance to get to know others in the Association in a relaxing environment.There will be a complimentary drink and light bites available from 7.00 – 8.30 pm.
Moving swiftly into September, and all members are invited to come to a Cheese & Wine Evening. This is for the bargain price of £15 per head and will offer 3 samples of French white wine and three of red together with 6 cheeses; there will also be a raffle along with general knowledge and Richard Osman-style quizzes. The date for your diary is Tuesday 23rd September and we’ll be holding this in the Jury Room at the Guildhall. Sign up now by simply replying to this newsletter to guarantee yourself a good time!
Finally for this newsletter and as you’ll have seen in previous editions, this year’s SHTA Christmas Dinner & Party will be held at The Bell Hotel in Sandwich on Thursday 11th December. The upstairs dining room will be devoted solely to our SHTA group. Thank you to those of you who have signed up so far, but it’s a busy time of year, so, to avoid disappointment, why not sign up asap if you’d like to attend please.
That’s all the news for now folks. Hopefully, we’ll see as many of you as possible at the Picnic on the Quay Green on Monday 7th July.
Best wishes, Stuart, Mark and the Committee.