Dear SHTA Members and Friends,

In the past some cynics used to say that you could rely on the fact that it would often rain in August in this country. Well, if only that were true these days. Many a garden in Sandwich is crying out for a good deluge. However, we can promise you a true flood of new events throughout the 2026-2027 season since your new Committee is embarking this month on organising the programme. More details further on in this newsletter, in two parts this month due to size. But first here is Vice-Chair, Mark Moorhouse’s introduction:

August in Honfleur, Normandy & France:

August in France is defined by les grandes vacances (the long summer break).

Assumption Day (L’Assomption) : Celebrated on 15th August, this official public holiday commemorates the Roman Catholic belief of the Virgin Mary’s assumption into heaven, featuring local processions, masses, and fireworks.

The August Shutdown (Le Grand Déplacement) : A significant number of the workforce takes leave during August. Major cities such as Paris become notably quiet, while coastal areas and tourist regions surge with activity.

Aoûtiens vs. Juillettistes : People who take their holidays in August are called aoûtiens, complementing the juillettistes who do so in July

Before covering what’s on in and around Honfleur, I feel that it is apposite to reflect upon France’s largest wildfire since 1949 which started on 22nd July, as destructive blazes tore through the Départements of Gironde and Landes in the south west of the country.

At the time of writing French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has confirmed the blaze is “under control”. It has stopped expanding, but it is not yet fully extinguished due to active underground hot spots. 

The fires scorched over 42,000 to 45,000 hectares of pine forest—an area four times the size of Paris. The fire destroyed more than 200 homes. 

Over 220,000 residents and tourists were evacuated at the height of the crisis. The devastation has caused “catastrophic” and “extremely significant losses” to local wildlife.

Returning to events in Honfleur : –

From Friday 7th August to Sunday 9th August the 4th edition of the Les Trois Jours de Grestain at the historic Grestain Abbey in Fatouville-Grestain – just 10 minutes from Honfleur,

This open-to-all, intimate, multidisciplinary arts festival blends theatre, live music, dance, circus performances, workshops, and guided tours within a timeless, historical setting. 

Held on the sprawling grounds of the former 11th-century Grestain Abbey, attendees can explore its shaded park and freshwater springs, or shelter inside the ancient refectory by the fireplace if it rains.  The festival offers a relaxed, family-friendly weekend featuring locally sourced drinks and home-cooked meals. Performances are primarily hosted in the abbey’s intimate chapel and outdoor grounds. 

The weekend features a rotating daily program of dynamic artistic performances, educational workshops, and heritage activities : –

• Theatrical & Circus Shows: Featured productions include Sillages, Mr Kraft, À la ligne, Poussière d’étoiles, and La Fable de l’Autruche.
• Interactive Workshops: A dedicated Atelier création de chimères (Chimera creation workshop) tailored for creative minds and families.
• Heritage Tours: Daily Visite guidée de l’Abbaye (Guided tours of the Abbey): exploring the medieval history and architecture of the grounds.
• Evening Entertainment: Specialised Dîners-Concerts pairing local Normandy cuisine with live musical acts

On Wednesday 12th August a major partial solar eclipse (reaching roughly 90% to 93% obscuration) will be visible from Honfleur and the Seine estuary just before sunset. The partial eclipse begins at approximately 7:20pm , reaches maximum eclipse at about 8:16pm (very low on the western horizon) and ends around 9:09pm

Visitors to Honfleur on Thursday 13th August can enjoy the Gens de Mer Theatrical Tour – an evening guided theatrical walk focusing on local seafaring heritage, starting at 9pm

This immersive street theatre event is organised as part of Honfleur’s maritime heritage animations and the traditional Fête des Marins (Sailors’ Festival) cycle. Led by local theatrical actors and guides, the outdoor night tour guides visitors through the old town’s historic quarters—such as the iconic Vieux Bassin—bringing to life the historic stories, daily struggles, folklore, and local legends of Normandy’s historic fishermen and maritime explorers

The “Together we are Monet” (Ensemble nous sommes Monet) exhibition takes place at the Eugène-Boudin Museum in Honfleur until 27th September. It features a giant collaborative reproduction of Monet’s painting “Étretat” crafted entirely through knitting and crochet by the Citémômes association.

Many thanks to Mark for news of events in August across the Channel.

What to expect soon at The Empire Cinema:

Many of you may recall arriving at the Empire Cinema one Wednesday evening back in November 2023 with a feeling of anticipation but uncertainty. The reason that you had decided to come earlier than usual for the SHTA film that night was because you wanted to be an Extra in the production of a film by Richard Hetherington on the history of the Empire in Sandwich and the Palace Cinema in Broadstairs (originally the Windsor).

Well, Richard has informed us that the film has been completed and he has invited us to come and see the finished product. Therefore, whether you were one of the Extras or not back in November ’23, you are invited to come along to a double bill on Wednesday 14th October: firstly, we’ll show ‘The Empire, Sandwich and the Palace, Broadstairs’ which lasts 73 minutes and will start at 6.15 pm. After a 15-minute break, our French film, ‘La Fille sur le Pont’ will then start at 7.45 pm. It’s a relatively short one at ninety minutes, so the evening will finish around 9.30 pm.

Hopefully, we’ll be turning out in droves to show our appreciation for Richard’s work as well as to enjoy the October film, so we look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible.

(Above: SHTA Film Extras play the part of The Audience in the upstairs auditorium at the Empire in 2023)

Our 2026-2027 film season itself will start on Wednesday 16th Septemberwhen we’ll be showing‘La Cage aux Folles’, a crowd-pleasing, rollicking and heartwarming musical based on the 1973 French play of the same name. Released in 1978, the film was co-written and directed by Édouard Molinaro. A synopsis from Rotten Tomatoes goes as follows:

“Renato (UgoTognazzi) and Albin (Michel Serrault) are happy that their son, Laurent, is getting married. Unfortunately, the bride’s father is a die-hard conservative … and Renato and Albin are rather conspicuously gay. To ensure that the marriage goes off without a hitch, Albin uses his skills as a drag performer to play mother for a meeting with the in-laws. But, before long, both men learn that playing it straight isn’t as easy as it seems!”

The film won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film and Serrault was awarded the César for Best Actor. It was followed by two sequels and a 1996 American version called ‘Birdcage’ featuring Robin Williams. On Rotten Tomatoes it holds an approval rating of 92%.

As usual, if you’d like to reserve your place for our September film, please send me an email on stuartpjones100@yahoo.co.uk. As confirmed by the members at our recent AGM, 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, account number: 42027168; sort code: 30-90-09. Alternatively, you can pay by cash or card on the night at the cinema. The cinema doors will, as normal, open at 7.00 pm with the film programme starting at 7.30 pm.

TWhat to expect soon at The Empire Cinema (continued):

As mentioned in Part 1 of the August Newsletter, our second film of the season is going to be ‘La Fille sur le Pont’ which we’ll be showing on Wednesday 14th October. Released in 1999, this is a romantic-comedy starring Daniel Auteuil and Vanessa Paradis. A man and a woman realise, through various situations, that they are lucky only when together. But, the situation gets complicated as they get separated and have no money to reunite.

If you enjoy coming to watch French films at The Empire, why not bring a friend or friends and introduce them to us and the whole experience!

SHTA Recent Events:

You’ll all know that July 14th is the day celebrated in France as its National Holiday. It recalls the day in 1789 when the Bastille Prison in Paris was stormed and initiated the French Revolution. So many people were killed by the new regime that a new form of execution was required leading to the introduction of the guillotine. Members re-enacted those gruesome days for the first time in the garden of the Red Cow pub on Bastille Day when six of their number present were beheaded for a whole range of ‘misdemeanours’, and ‘La Marseillaise’ was sung enthusiastically.

(Below: Tony Hilton and Irene Cassé following their ‘execution’ by guillotine; they look as though they enjoyed it!)

Two days later, and looking for just as much fun, 30 SHTA members were in attendance at the Jury Room in the Guildhall for the Association’s Annual General Meeting. Summaries of the year’s events and accounts were followed by the election of a new Committee for 2026-2027. After a combined total of around 40 years’ service, Carly Cooper, Steve Laslett, Siobhan Matthews and Christine Ratcliffe stepped down with much appreciation from the members. In their place new Committee members Alison Farmer, Alison Hilton and Ruth Horton were warmly welcomed on board.

It was agreed by the members present at the meeting that the Subscription per member should be raised, from many years at £12.50, to £15.00 per annum. This is due to be paid by the end of September – you’ve been warned!

Your new Committee will be having its first meeting in the next couple of weeks when the programme of events for the 2026-2027 will be discussed and decided. As soon as this happens, you’ll be able to see the full list of dates and events on our website at sandwichhonsleurtwinning.org.uk. Furthermore, on payment of your subscription, you’ll receive a new Member’s Card with film titles, dates, events and Committee members’ contact details.

Possible and Definite Events for 2026-2027:

• Once the SHTA Film Sub-Committee has finalised its choices and purchased DVDs with English subtitles, the full list of titles and dates will be available to you; this will be done within the next two weeks.
• The Christmas Lights Switch-On, including SHTA Vin Chaud Stall, will be on Saturday 28th November.
• The Christmas Dinner & Party for 2026 has already been booked and will take place at Luigi’s Restaurant in Sandwich on Thursday 10th December. More details to follow.
• There is the possibility that we will be taking a coach to the British Museum to see the Bayeux Tapestry in the new year. Obviously this depends on securing sufficient numbers and the individual cost.
• ‘Le Weekend’ in 2027, including our SHTA stand, will take place on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th June.
• One further definite date is that of the SHTA Group Visit to Honfleur in 2027. This will take place from Thursday 17th – Sunday 20th June and is only open to SHTA members. We’re giving you a full 10 months’ notice of this trip so that you can arrange your diary and any other commitments. Please let us know as early as possible if you would like to be included.

That’s all for now folks. Hoping that you’re well and enjoying the Summer, and we look forward to seeing you soon.