Dear SHTA Members and Friends,
We’re now well and truly into the swing of a new SHTA season with a Picnic on the Quay and our September film night under our belts. There is, of course, a lot more still to come over the course of the next 10 months, so watch this space!
However, first of all, here is Vice-Chair, Mark Moorhouse’s introduction:
“October 2026 in Honfleur features a seasonal maritime celebration and an artisanal exhibition.
• La Fête de la Coquille Saint-Jacques et de la Pêche (30th Edition): on Saturday 10th October and Sunday 11th October, the historic Vieux-Bassin hosts an open-air festival celebrating seafood, local fishing boats, and maritime heritage. This event was traditionally known as the Fête de la Crevette (or Shrimp Festival) & dedicated to the local grey shrimp, the festival has expanded to celebrate Norman seafood, specifically focusing on the Saint-Jacques scallop. Quays fill up with a massive fresh fish market, live sea shanty concerts, cooking demonstrations, pirate village reconstructions, and a beautiful gathering of historical sailing ships.
• Handcrafted Ceramics Exhibition: on 24th October a weekend showcase featuring wheel-thrown and eco-friendly modelled pottery by artisanal ceramist Aurélie from Atelier Passion Poterie will take place at Exposition à Honfleur Normandie Outlet on the Avenue de Normandie.
Autumn is peak harvest time in Normandy, making October the ultimate month for food lovers.
• Fête du Ventre et de la Gastronomie (Rouen): running from 7th – 11th October, it completely transforms the historic streets of Rouen. It features endless rows of local producers, food rallies, chef-hosted dynamic dinners, and large-scale public cooking lessons celebrating Norman cheese, cider, and apples.
• Vimoutiers Apple Festival (Foire de la Pomme): taking place on 17th October, this fair in the heart of the Pays d’Auge celebrates everything apple. Think cider tastings, traditional apple pie contests, and family-friendly carnival animations.”
Many thanks to Mark for the introduction above.
With September already behind us, I’d like to pass on thanks from the Committee to all of you who have paid your SHTA membership subscription inside the deadline of the end of September. If you are still to make this payment, could you please arrange to do so asap. It was agreed by the members at the AGM in July to raise this to £15.00 per head. Payment can be made online to SHTA, account number: 42027168; sort code: 30-90-09. This will then entitle you to take part in all SHTA events up to the next AGM. Thank you.
Two Films for October:
As announced in last month’s newsletter and at the September film night, the next SHTA occasion at The Empire Cinema will be a special double-bill:
On Wednesday 14th October, for the usual admission price, you’ll be able to see two films:
1) Firstly, we’ll be showing ‘The Empire and the Palace’, a film made by Richard Hetherington about the history of both the Empire Cinema Sandwich and the Palace Cinema Broadstairs. As many of you will know, it features 32 members of SHTA as Extras (I have a list of your names!) when a section of it was filmed back in November 2023. It would be great to have as many of those ‘film stars’ able to see themselves on the big screen! The doors will be open at 6.00 pm, and the Bar will be available, for a 6.15 pm start and this one lasts 73 minutes.
2) After a 15-minute break, our second film of the evening will start at 7.45 pm and, including a short intermission, finish around 9.30 pm. ‘La Fille sur le Pont’ was 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. Daniel Auteuil won a César as best actor for his role in 2000.
We hope that you’ll be able to come along to enjoy this special double-bill offer, but, of course, you’re welcome to watch just one if you prefer. If you want to watch only the first one, perhaps because you’re in it, there will be no charge.
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!
As usual, if you’d like to reserve your place for one or both of our October films, 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 also pay in advance online to SHTA, acc. number: 42027168; sort code: 30-90-09. Alternatively, you can pay by cash or card on the evening at The Empire. As stated above, the cinema doors will open on this occasion at 6.00 pm for a 6.15 pm start.
Website:
A reminder that you can see the full list of films, dates and other events for 2026-2027 on our website at sandwichhonfleurtwinning.org.uk. Also, on payment of your subscription, you’ll receive a Member’s Card for the new season with all film dates and titles, SHTA activities and Committee members’ contact details.
Other SHTA Events:
- Many thanks to all of you who have volunteered your services via Alison Hilton, one of our new Committee members, to help on our Vin Chaud stand in the Guildhall Forecourt on the occasion of the Christmas Lights Switch-On. The event will be on Saturday 28th November and we anticipate another busy afternoon/evening for the purveyors of our popular brew! Even if you’re not on the rota, do come along to support those who are and promote the Association.
- As you’re probably aware, our Christmas Dinner & Party will take place this year at Luigi’s Restaurant in Sandwich on Thursday 10th December. We already have 25 people who have signed up for this, so we’re approximately half-way towards our expected number. Many thanks if you have said that you’ll be coming along; if you haven’t yet but would like to, please get in touch with me via the usual email address. Arrival and complementary glass of fizz will be at 6.30 pm and the evening will end around 10.00-10.30 pm. The cost for 2 courses will be £30 and three courses will cost £35. The deadline for both attending and for payment to SHTA is Thursday 19th November.
To help you decide if you’d like to join us or, if you’ve already signed up, here are the options for the meal at Luigi’s:
Starters:
- Gamberoni Picante: Peeled king prawns in a spicy sauce of chilli flakes, garlic, cherry tomatoes & parsley served with chargrilled bread.
- Bruschetta Rustica: Our chargrilled bread topped with creamy stracciatella of burrata, freshly sliced mortadella, cherry tomato and basil pesto (nuts). – ask without mortadella for vegetarian option.
- Meatballs: Meatballs in a rich tomato and garlic sauce topped with parmesan served with chargrilled bread.
- Whitebait and calamari: Seasoned whitebait & calamari golden fried and served with salad, lemon wedge and garlic mayonnaise.
Main Courses:
- Rotolo di Tacchino: Rolled turkey breast & stuffing with a turkey gravy served pigs in blankets, roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
- Pork Marsala: Escalopes of pork loin in a mushroom cream & marsala wine sauce served with roast potatoes.
- Sea Bass Al Forno: Oven baked Seabass fillet and 2 king prawns, with cherry tomatoes, white wine garlic with sautéed potatoes.
- Melanzane alla Parmigiana (V): Layers of fried aubergine with smooth tomato sauce, basil, mozzarella, and vegetarian Parmesan, baked until golden and bubbling.
Desserts:
- Classic Tiramisu: Italian classic with boozy marsala liqueur.
- Sicilian lemon tart: served with cream.
- Crème Brûlée: traditional vanilla custard baked in house.
- Cheese selection: served with crackers & chutney.
So, either email me please indicating that you’d like to join the Christmas group, or let me know your menu choices, or both. Many thanks. As many of you will know, Luigi’s is an upstairs venue and has two stairlifts. By the way, there won’t be any silly games at this year’s event, but there will be a festive table quiz; that may help you make your decision!
SHTA Visit to Honfleur 2027
As we’ve mentioned before, next year’s Visit to Honfleur promises to be an extra-special one with the town holding its Millenium celebrations all the way through from March to December to mark 1,000 years since the birth of William the Conqueror. We’ve had a terrific response so far from members signing up to join this visit with quite a few joining at last month’s film night. There are now only a few places left, so, if you want to be included, it’s important to let me know asap. Past experience suggests a few people will withdraw for one reason or another, so a reserve list will become very important also.
Our visit will take place from Thursday 17th – Sunday 20th June and is only open to SHTA members. The deadline for letting us know and for payment will be Friday 16th April. We’ll be travelling by coach and ferry, and staying with host families in Honfleur for 3 nights. The cost will be £140 per person. If you have any questions, please do get in touch.
‘Le Weekend’ 2027
Next year’s ‘Le Weekend’ will be on Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th June. Overall organiser is our very own Vice-Chair, Mark Moorhouse, while the vast majority of the new committee with the responsibility of co-ordinating the event comes from SHTA. If you could see yourself contributing as a marshal in the town on one or both of these days, or helping with preparations in advance, please get in touch with me whenever it’s convenient for you.
That’s all the news for now. We look forward to seeing you, if possible, for our special film night later this month, or at another SHTA event sometime soon.
Best wishes, Stuart & the SHTA Committee.