Dear SHTA Members and Friends,

Now that we’re officially into Spring, we can well and truly look forward to warmer temperatures, longer daylight hours, and a plethora of SHTA events. First of all, however, here is an introduction from Vice-Chair, Mark Moorhouse, outlining some of the customary activities that our Gallic friends will be getting up to at the start of Spring:

In Honfleur, Normandy and France

In France, Lent (le Carême) is a 40-day period of reflection and fasting leading up to Easter (from 18th February to 2nd April 2026). While France is officially a secular state, recent years have seen a significant increase in Lenten ways and habits, particularly among young adults.

• In French culture, Lent holds significant importance as a time for reflection and mindfulness. It’s a period where individuals engage in fasting, self-reflection, and spiritual growth. The practice of Lent in France is deeply rooted in tradition and carries with it a sense of cultural sensitivity.
• During Lent, French individuals focus on abstaining from certain foods or habits, symbolising sacrifice and self-discipline. This period encourages mindful eating and intentional living, reminding individuals to be more present and aware of their actions.
• Throughout French history, Lent has been viewed as a time for personal growth and introspection. It is considered a time to reassess priorities, strengthen relationships, and practise gratitude.
• Seafood is a popular choice for Lenten meals in France, as it provides a source of protein without breaking the abstinence from meat. From moules marinières to bouillabaisse, there are numerous traditional French seafood dishes to try during Lent.
• French cuisine also offers a variety of vegetarian dishes that are perfect for Lent. Ratatouille, Quiche Lorraine, and French Onion Soup are just a few examples of meat-free dishes that can be enjoyed during this period.

The main event in Normandy is Impressionist Destination (from 20th March to 20th September 2026). Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Second Impressionism Exhibition in1876 at art dealer, Paul Durand’s, gallery in Rue Le Peletiel, Paris. There will also be numerous events and exhibitions, and performances in Rouen, Caen, Le Havre, Cherbourg, Giverny and Honfleur, amongst other towns.

Impressionism emerged in 1874, bringing about a revolutionary shift in art. Artists such as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Camille Pissarro embraced the playful interaction between light and colour. Claude Monet’s painting, “Impression, Sunrise,” gave the art movement the name that has fascinated millions of admirers worldwide.

Inspired by the unique light, beauty and mystery of Normandy, the Impressionist painters set up their easels throughout the region: by the Seine estuary, along the coast, in Rouen’s old town and in the village of Giverny. The Normandy Impressionist Festival aims to showcase the Impressionist movement and its close links with Normandy 

Normandy was, for many Impressionist painters, their birthplace and home. Its proximity to Paris and growing number of fashionable seaside resorts such as Dieppe, Le Havre, Honfleur, Deauville, and Trouville-sur-Mer meant that artists came to Normandy by train and stayed, producing an artistic legacy which would be hard to rival anywhere else. For over half a century, these seaside resorts, alongside Rouen, the bucolic Pays de Caux region, and later Monet’s home in Giverny, were the inspiration for numerous canvases.

Breaking away from the more formal, classical themes of the early 19th century, the Impressionists were revolutionary in their preference for painting outdoors in natural light, with landscapes, towns and scenes of daily life as their subjects. A tribute to an art movement that was ahead of its time, the 6th edition of the Normandy Impressionist Festival will celebrate art in all its forms through a diverse six month programme catering to all ages and tastes, which will feature numerous Impressionist and contemporary exhibitions, performing arts, concerts, light shows, street art, international conferences, and much more.

The artists captured events from everyday life in an innovative style. Landscapes played a significant role in their works. Impressionists therefore painted ‘en plein air’ (in the open air). They wanted to capture the impression of the moment directly on canvas. In doing so, they often used bright and intense colours. Their masterpieces, such as Monet’s “Water Lilies” (see below), Renoir’s “Luncheon of the Boating Party,” and Pissarro’s “The Hay Harvest,” are admired worldwide and have stood the test of time.

Many thanks to Mark for the contribution above.

What’s happening in the Sandwich Honfleur Twinning Association?

SHTA’s film for this month will be ‘Les Émotifs Anonymes’ at The Empire Cinema on Wednesday 11th March. Its English title is ‘Romantics Anonymous’ and it’s a 2010 French-Belgian romantic-comedy directed by Jean-Pierre Améris, starring Benoît Poelvoorde and Isabelle Carré. It received three nominations at the 2nd Magritte Awards winning Best Foreign Film in Co-production.

A synopsis of the film goes as follows:

‘Angélique is a young French woman who has social anxiety disorder and is afraid of just about everything. She regularly attends a support group for other people like her. Jean-René, who owns a small manufacturer of chocolate called the Chocolate Mill, also has social anxiety, and is afraid of many things, particularly intimacy. The two fall in love but find it difficult to express their feelings due to their issues.’

Rotten Tomatoes, the review website, gives the ‘highly regarded’ film a rating of 85%. Critics and audiences praise it as a charming, sweet, and gentle film about two socially anxious chocolatiers who find love, with many calling it a delightful, heartwarming experience.

What, I hear you ask, is SHTA’s April film? Well, we’ll be screening ‘Renoir’, on Wednesday 15th April. Set in Cagnes-sur-Mer on the French Riviera in 1915, this 2012 film explores the final, pain-ridden years of Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir as he is rejuvenated by his last model, the vibrant Andrée Heuschling. The plot follows the intersection of art and love when his wounded son, later-to-be filmmaker, Jean Renoir, returns home from the war to convalesce, and falls for Andrée, discovering his own creative calling. The young woman rejuvenates, enchants and inspires both father and son. 

The film was directed by Gilles Bourdos and competed in the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. It stars Michel Bouquet, Christa Theret and Vincent Rottiers. ‘Renoir’ achieved critical and commercial success both in France and abroad, most notably in the United States where it is on the Critic’s Pick list of The New York Times. The film was selected as the French entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Oscars.

If you’d like to reserve your place for our March or April 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 pay in advance online to SHTA, sort code: 30-90-09; account number: 42027168; or you can pay by cash or card on the night. The cinema doors open at 7.00 pm.

Our remaining films for 2026 will be as follows:

• Wed. 20th May – ‘L’Effrontée’
• Wed. 17th June – ‘Portrait de la Jeune Fille en Feu’

A huge thank you to all of you who have informed us that you’ll be able to host one or more of our Honfleur friends during their Visit to Sandwich from Thursday 14th – Sunday 17th May. The Honfleur Committee President, Pierre Jan, has informed us that they are expecting to bring a group of around 45 people; while we currently have capacity to accommodate 40, thanks to your generosity, obviously we do need to be able to host five or so more. If you feel that you could help us for these three nights, please do let me know as soon as possible, either by phone or email.

Beyond the visit in May, we have a few events you might wish to put in your diary:

• Saturday 13th – Sunday 17th June: Le Weekend in Sandwich. If you’d like to take part in the running of this now-traditional highlight of the Sandwich calendar, please contact event organiser and our Vice-Chair, Mark Moorhouse on mark.moorhouse@btconnect.com.

• Thursday 25th June: Bangers & Boules at The Anchor Pub Wingham. The trophy for the winning team will be up for grabs again this year. Don’t miss out!

• Thursday 16th July: Annual General Meeting. Come along to the Jury Room at The Guildhall to have your say and catch up on the round-up of the SHTA year.

There may well be a couple of further events which the Committee may add to our list of events; we’ll let you know about these when they are confirmed.

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

Best wishes from Stuart & the Committee