Dear SHTA Members & Friends,

I hope that you’re fighting fit and that, if you like a bit of sport, you’ve enjoyed some or all of the recent rugby, golf and athletics. Our October newsletter starts, as usual, with Vice-Chair Mark Moorhouse’s introduction of events on the other side of the Channel.

In Honfleur, Normandy and France:

Since 1994 Honfleur has hosted the annual Fête de la Crevette et de la Pêche (Shrimp and Fishing Festival). This year the event will take place during the weekend of Saturday 11^th and Sunday 12^th October, when there will be the opportunity to  buy different kinds of fish and shrimp from the huge fish market, watch the ancient ship procession,  as well as attend various exhibitions, concerts and cooking demonstrations. Those with a competitive spirit might like to participate in the shrimp-peeling competition.

Across the whole of France the annual Semaine du Goût (Taste Week) will take place from 14th to 19th October offering chances to explore gastronomy and take cooking classes.

In the Normandy region: Château de Balleroy (Calvados), Château de Creully (Calvados) and Château de Bizy (Eure) will participate in 7^th La Nuit des Châteaux  (A Unique French Castle Experience).  These castles will sparkle under the moonlight from 17^th to 19^th October  as they open their doors after dark, inviting visitors to step into history in a way that feels magical, rare and special. This is a national event for three nights only, the treasures of France’s heritage come alive beneath the stars, through music, theatre, candlelit tours, and storytelling. Whether walking the ramparts of a medieval fortress or strolling through the immaculate gardens of a Renaissance estate, guests are treated to an atmosphere unlike any other. 

La Nuit des Châteaux was launched in 2019 by the heritage platform Dartagnans to raise awareness about the importance of preserving historic monuments. The concept is simple but powerful: open castles at night, bring them to life with events and connect the public to the magic of these places in a way daytime visits cannot. Each year, dozens of castles across France and Europe participate, ranging from royal estates to privately owned gems that are rarely open to the public.

What Visitors Can Expect

Each château crafts its own experience for La Nuit des Châteaux, ensuring every visit feels special. As you discover and explore the property, you might take a walk through candlelit halls and moonlit gardens, where the flickering glow of lanterns brings the past to life.Actors dressed in elaborate costumes often perform historical re–enactments, transporting you back in time with their stories and dramas. In the heart of grand courtyards, concerts, theatrical performances, and captivating storytelling unfold, filling the night with music and intrigue.Some châteaux transform into impressive spectacles, featuring dazzling light shows and immersive soundscapes that showcase their architectural beauty. For those who enjoy local flavours, cheese and wine tastings, and regional delicacies from the terroir, France’s culinary traditions provide a taste of the country’s gastronomic heritage. Families can participate in treasure hunts and interactive activities, creating a memorable experience for all ages.

Many thanks to Mark for the fascinating piece above.

What’s happening in the Sandwich Honfleur Twinning Association?

Whether you’re a new or more longstanding member of SHTA, we hope that you were able to enjoy one of our recent September events which were:

1) firstly, our initial film of the 2025-2026 season, ‘L’Homme du Train’, which was shown on 17th of the month. A healthy turn-out saw this whimsical character study of two opposite types.

2) secondly, our Cheese & Wine Pairing Evening on 23rd September in the Jury Room at Sandwich Guildhall. Both organised and presented by SHTA Secretary Steve Thomson, attendees were treated to six wines and six cheeses; a jolly time was had by those who came along, some of whom are shown in the photo below enjoying a bit of ‘pairing’:

Just in case it’s passed you by, the end of September marked the deadline for payment of your £12.50 SHTA membership subscription. If you are still to do this, please do your best to attend to this asap using the following bank details: account number: 42027168; sort code: 30-90-09. Thank you.

Now that we’re into October and some of you have perhaps returned from extended holidays on the French Riviera, Greek Islands or Cornwall, you’ll be keen to discover what SHTA is offering for this month at The Empire Cinema. Well, we’ll be showing ‘Bonnard, Pierre et Marthe’ on Wednesday 15th October, an emotionally moving portrait written and directed by Martin Provost and released in 2023. The film depicts the love story and romance between the painter Pierre Bonnard and his wife, model, and muse Marthe. It stars Cécile de France as Marthe and Vincent Macaigne as Pierre. Chronologically the film is divided into four parts of the couple’s life together: “early days”, 1914, 1918, and 1942. Here’s a synopsis from IMDb:

“When French painter Pierre Bonnard met Marthe de Méligny, he didn’t know this self-proclaimed aristocrat would become the cornerstone of his life and work. From this moment, she became more than just a muse for the “painter of happiness”, appearing in more than a third of his work.Together, they reached their artistic fulfilment thanks to a colourful love, different from the standards of their time,nurturing the great mystery around their relationship.”

As usual, if you’d like to reserve your place for our October film, please send me an email on stuartpjones100@yahoo.co.uk. Admission to film nights remains at £7.50 per head and priority will be given to members who book in advance. You can pay in advance online to SHTA using the bank details given above. Alternatively, you can pay by cash or card on the night at the cinema.

An early heads-up for your film on Wednesday 12th November: we’ll be screening ‘Ridicule’, a 1996 period drama directed by Patrice Leconte which stars Charles Berling, Jean Rochefort, Fanny Ardant and Judith Godrèche. Set in the 18th century at the decadent court of Versailles, where social status can rise and fall based on one’s ability to mete out witty insults and avoid ridicule oneself, the film’s plot examines the social injustices of late 18th-century France, in showing the corruption and callousness of the aristocrats. The November film comes slightly earlier in the month than usual hence this preview, but more about the film will come your way in the next newsletter.

The Christmas Lights Switch-On will be on Saturday 29th Novemberwhenyou’ll find members of SHTA, as every year, promoting the Association on our stand in the Guildhall Forecourt. If you’d like to be one of these volunteerson our Vin Chaud Stall we’d like to hear from you. All that’s required will be some help towards the creation of our very own famous mulled wine and a word or two in the direction of passers-by and visitors to our stall. Please let Christine Ratcliffe know, via her email address at the end of this newsletter, when you might be on our stall for an hour between 2.00 pm and 7.30 pm. All help will be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Hopefully, you’ll know by now that the SHTA Christmas Dinner & Party will be taking place on Thursday 11th December at The Bell Hotel in Sandwich, a first for SHTA. Many thanks to the many of you who have already signed up for this, but, if you haven’t, why not get in touch to ensure that you join the rest of us for an evening of festive food, fun and good company. Your complimentary glass of fizz will await you on arrival at 6.30 pm and the meal will start at 7.00 pm in the upstairs function room. The cost of the meal will, again this year, be £32 for the two-course option and £37 for three courses. We would like you to decide on your menu options from those listed below, and please let me know your choices by email (address at the end of this newsletter) as soon as it’s convenient for you:

STARTERS

1. Roasted butternut squash & tomato soup, chestnut gremolata, mini tin loaf (V)
2. Chicken liver & cherry brandy pâté, pickled vegetables, apple chutney, mini tin loaf
3. Smoked salmon, sweet & sour beetroot, shallots, dill,whipped horseradish cream, herb oil, mini tin loaf
4. Chard chilli broccoli, white almond gazpacho sauce, sumac, lemon oil (VG)
5. Goat’s cheese, chicory & spiced squash salad, lentils,caramelised pecan nuts, chipotle mayonnaise dressing (VG)

MAINS

1. Larchfield Farm roasted turkey, crispy roast potatoes, turkey & apricot stuffing in bacon, Yorkshire pudding, seasonal vegetables, cranberry chutney, red wine gravy

6. Roasted rolled pork belly, crackling, roasted potatoes, green beans,aromatic braised red cabbage, crispy sage, whisky, wholegrain mustard & honey sauce
7. Rye Bay seabass fillet, pea & herb potato cake, buttered samphire,tomato concasse, Prosecco & chive sauce
8. Aged prime beef burger, Cheddar cheese, turkey, apricot & bacon stuffing, chorizo pig inblanket, cranberry spiced chutney, roquette leaf, skin-on chips, gravy dipping pot
9. Creamy woodland mushrooms & spinach vol-au-vent,sweet potato & root vegetable crush, glazed parsnip, green beans (V/VG)
10. Venison & pancetta pie, creamed mash, braised aromatic red cabbage,slow-roasted carrot, red wine gravy

PUDDINGS

1. Shepherd Neame Christmas Ale pudding, brandy butter custard, treacle snap shard (V)

11. Cranberry & apple crumble slice, custard, raspberry purée (VG)
12. Warm chocolate banoffee brownie, Biscoff crumb, cream cheese frosting,caramelised banana, salted caramel sauce (V)
13. Baked lemon & blueberry cheesecake, pistachio crumb, festive dark fruit purée (V)
14. Kentish cheeseboard including Canterbury Cobble, Kentish Blue & Chaucers, grapes spiced apple chutney, artisan crackers (V)

If you plan to attend the Christmas Dinner & Party, could you please ensure that you have made your payment in full to SHTA (bank details as earlier in this newsletter) by Monday 24th November. If you’re new to this occasion, you might like to know that there will be a whole variety of prizes: best Christmas outfits, quiz winners as well as top dogs in the silly games!

Finally, your Committee would be grateful if you could contact us to say whether you’d be able to host a guest or two in your home next Spring: 40 of our Friends from Honfleur will be coming to Sandwich from Thurs 14th – Sun 17th May. If you have questions about this, please email or phone me. Thank you in advance.

That’s all the news for now. Looking forward to seeing you at one of our events soon,

Best wishes, Stuart, Mark and the Committee.