It was lovely to see so many members at the A.G.M. on 15th March and it was really nice to welcome our dear friends from Lambersart, especially Brigitte Clermont to whom we gave a special medal to thank her for all the work she has done to promote twinning between our two towns. The weather was beautiful and the meal afterwards excellent.
We were lucky to be entertained by some of the members of the Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band. The music they played was not only varied and interesting but also beautifully enhanced by the acoustics in the Science Theatre at the Salomons Centre. I certainly will be looking out for any concerts they are playing at in the future.
I hope to see as many members with their friends and families attending SHDOFA events in 2009 starting with our trip to Ardres on 14th May. Please come! Mireille has been working her usual magic to organise the day for us.
Many people have already paid this year’s membership subscription. Thank you, but if you haven’t, please do so and encourage new members to join as well.

Best wishes

Colette Marsh

DAY TRIP to ARDRES

On 15th November a group of SHDOFA members set off across the Channel. Their destination was the medieval town of Ardres, less than 30 minutes from Calais. On the agenda was a guided tour of the town, a wine tasting with a spot of light lunch and finally the opportunity for some pre-Christmas shopping at Cité Europe on the way back.

On our arrival at the town centre we were immediately confronted by dozens of gendarmes.

However, they turned out to be friendly and were just about to begin their annual commemoration of their patron saint, Geneviève. This included a march through the town with their own musical accompaniment. We were met at the Chapelle des Carmes in the main square by a representative from the Tourist Office together with Sophia Boursot who was to be our interpreter. Dating from 1679, the building was originally a Carmelite convent but has also been used as a town hall and a market hall. It is now the Office de Tourisme.

The town visit included the old underground wheat vaults which had only recently been opened up again and which had served a less benign purpose during the War. Also en route was l’Eglise Notre Dame de Grâce dating from 1503. The ‘gothic’ stained glass windows incorporated during the late 19th century restoration were quite fantastic.

By this time, refreshments were definitely required and the group made its way to ‘Boursots Wine Collection’ a few metres down the road. This establishment is run by Guy and Sophia who are well accustomed to fulfilling the requirements of English, and indeed French, visitors to the town and to their shop. Guy had selected a number of whites, reds and sparklings for us to try and buy while we tucked into a magnificent spread of cheeses, pâtés, bread and biscuits. Having loaded a vast quantity of economically priced cases into the coach we set off for what proved to be a very crowded Cité Europe. Perhaps a Saturday afternoon during the run up to Christmas was not the best timing!

This trip proved very popular and will be repeated on Thursday 14 May (market day). That will give us the chance to try out one of the town’s excellent bistros, indulge in another of Guy’s dégustations and to have a look at some of the many other attractions which Ardres and the surrounding area have to offer. More details have already been sent out so do please come along.

CHANGES AT LAMBERSART

In a move supposed to strengthen the Lambersart council’s involvement with the town’s twinning activities, last November saw some changes on the Amitiés Internationales committee. Our old friend Gerard Tancré remains President and Thérèse Dupont, who we also know well, was re-elected as one of two Vice Presidents. However, Brigitte Clermont has been replaced as the other Vice President by Bernard Coffyn, a Lambersart councillor whose brief includes European affairs.

Whilst these and other changes bring to an end a lengthy period of uncertainty within the conseil d’administration, the loss of Brigitte is a very sad one for us in Southborough. She has been in the thick of the organisation for 14 years as an active supporter and as a proactive organiser of many trips and projects in France, in Britain and in Germany. Recently Brigitte played a prominent role in our 15th Anniversary celebrations and also in the Armistice commemorations which took place last September.

Our very best wishes go to Brigitte and to her husband Pascal. Hopefully, we will continue to see them on future occasions. In the meantime we look forward to a continuing active relationship with the ‘new look’ committee in our twin town.

FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS

Following the decision by the ‘Courier’ to take a new direction with the local correspondents’ role, Julie Dunn and Jancis Wilson, a SHDOFA member, have decided to hang up their notebooks and pencils after many years of reporting and promoting local events and other ‘goings on’, including our own, in a most interesting and informative way.

Julie wrote the Community Life columns covering High Brooms and St. Johns whilst Jancis covered Southborough and we would like to record our thanks for all the help they have provided in the past. Our new reporter is Claire Cromie and she can be contacted at the ‘Courier’ or at Southborough library between 2pm and 4pm on Mondays and 10.30am to 12.30pm on Fridays.

A TALE OF TWO CITIES

Both the Lambersart and Southborough Associations have held their Annual General Meetings this year. The Amitiés Internationales function was held as usual at la ferme du Mont Garin in Lambersart and a contingent from Southborough, including the current mayor and two of his predecessors, attended on behalf of SHDOFA. On the Lambersart agenda this year is a visit to Rye and Pashley Manor on 23rd May and it is hoped that as many SHDOFA members as possible will be able to join them. Please see Mireille Marchant for details. Also, there are plans to visit Berlin in May for the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Hopefully we will learn more about this in due course.

Brigitte Clermont spoke with emotion about her departure from the committee with which she had been inextricably involved for many years. The mayor, Marc-Philippe Daubrese, made the point that despite the current global economic problems, the encouragement of the younger generation for the European ideal also remains a major priority. The occasion provided the opportunity for our Chairman and for our President to make use of the language of Molière and, as usual at these events, the proceedings were followed by an excellent lunch.
Our own AGM at the Salomons Centre on 15th March was very well attended. Also present were Gérard Tancré, President of Amitiés Internationales Lambersart, Thérèse Dupont, Vice President, Brigitte Clermont, former Vice President and their respective partners. The formal business was over in record time. Gérard spoke of the many friends he has made in Southborough over the past seventeen years and he too emphasised the need to include the younger generation in our European relationships.

A special medal was presented to Brigitte Clermont to mark our very close rapport over many years and to express our thanks for everything she has done to ensure a successful and vibrant twinning association. Brigitte responded in excellent English explaining that she had spent a few years learning our language and the rest of her life learning all the exceptions to the rules! It is clear that the Clermonts have many friends in Southborough and we look forward to meeting them again soon. An excellent carvery lunch followed after which we were treated to a magnificent recital by members of the Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Concert Band. Everyone agreed that they would go out of their way to hear them again at one of their local performances.

KÖNNEN SIE HELFEN?

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the twinning between Tunbridge Wells and Wiesbaden in Germany and we know only too well what such occasions mean in terms of extra work and involvement. Tunbridge Wells Twinning and Friendship Association is arranging a programme of events over the May Bank Holiday weekend full details of which can be obtained from Christine Philip on 01892 513944.

In the meantime we have been asked if we can provide bed and breakfast for a number of the 32 strong Wiesbaden Brass Ensemble who have numerous performances and engagements during the weekend. They will be arriving late on Thursday 21st May and leaving in the evening of Monday 25th. They have their own transport and will not need any other looking after. If you are able to help please contact Sheila Kirby on 01892 526891 or e-mail here

POINTS TO PONDER

• The committee is in the process of commissioning a SHDOFA tie which should be available soon. If you would like to express an early interest in buying one or more please contact any committee member and we will make sure they are set aside for you.

• Until recently Diana Blackwell has been keeping a beautiful archive of our activities much of which was on display at the recent AGM. If anyone is interested in taking over as archivist please contact our Chairman, Colette Marsh.

• In order for our Association to survive we need to attract new members especially from the younger generation. We have begun a programme of school visits but would welcome any thoughts as to how we can increase membership and in particular how to make SHDOFA more appealing and relevant to younger people. For example we have recently organised a pen friend (although these days it is more likely to be by e-mail) for the daughter of one of our Lambersart colleagues. We could always do with more potential correspondents from this side of the Channel and it would also be great if we could also organise some exchanges for anyone here learning French or provide some host families for Lambersart students learning English. Please give it some thought.

• Do please also have a look at our web site at www.shdofa.com The site is still very much in the development stage and any comments and ideas would be most welcome. One way of doing so would be to leave a message on the blog. Perhaps there is even a ‘web master’ out there who would be prepared to take on the project. If so please contact Jackie Prance

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

• 14th May: You will have received details about the Day trip to Ardres. Please contact Mireille Marchant for further details.

• 23rd May: Amitiés Internationales visit to Rye and Pashley Manor. Come and join our French friends on all or part of their trip to our lovely corner of England. Further information from Mireille once detailed itinerary available.

• Sunday 14th June: Mid Summer lunch in the conservatory at the Salomons Centre. Details to follow.

• Sunday 23rd August: Summer Barbecue at 17 Harland Way. Details to follow.

• 5th & 6th December: Amitiés Internationales visit to the Christmas markets at Metz and Trèves

EGGSTRA (Sorry but the Editor couldn’t resist this seasonal word play)

Pourquoi devrait-on chercher un seul oeuf ?
Parce qu’un oeuf est un oeuf !

Editor’s notes: Due to technical problems the format of this edition of the Newsletter has been changed.
Please send articles, information, photos and comments for the next issue to the Editor: jackie@prance.org.uk

SHDOFA

Southborough, High Brooms & District Overseas Friendship Association

Twin Oaks Newsletter Spring 2009