Tête-à-Tête
The Newsletter of the
Fareham-Vannes Twinning Association
AUTUMN ISSUE 2008
September 2008
Dear Members
Time for another Tête-à-Tête, with perhaps less to report this time, but more to look forward to.
You will be able to read further on about our – ultimately – well-attended Hog Roast; our thanks to all who came, and if you didn’t – you missed a good day!
The Committee is delighted to announce that, after a year without a Chairman, Annabelle McIver has agreed to take on the position, and will do so as Acting Chairman pending election at the AGM in January. Three cheers (and Marcel Boché’s champagne!) for Annabelle. As always, please contact me, or any Committee member, if you are interested in joining the Committee at the AGM.
We are already making plans for next year’s visitors from Vannes in April or May. We hope that as many members as possible will be able to participate – either as hosts or by just joining in – so if you haven’t been involved before, give some thought to doing so this time!
Hog Roast
July 13th 2008
As a new member of the Fareham-Vannes Twinning Association and also new to hog roasts, it was with some level of anticipation and expectation that I arrived at the garden of Marian and Peter Ellerton. I found my way around to their back garden, carrying of course a large trestle table and was delighted to see many people busily putting up tents, sorting out tables and chairs and some just enjoying the glorious sunshine. The garden and the whole setting was magnificent and just waiting for an English garden party.
I had been given the job of organising the puddings, which so far had been
quite straight forward as everyone I had asked very willingly and generously
offered to bring a pudding. I use the term pudding, but what we had was the most
sumptuous display of gourmet desserts. But I run ahead of the main food event
which was the hog roast. Very quietly and proficiently a "hog" or was
it a "pig" arrived on a spit, beautifully brown and covered with
mouth-watering crackling. The aromas in the garden made us all quite hungry and
ready for the main course. We enjoyed a selection of salads, new potatoes bread
rolls, pasta salad, coleslaw and apple sauce. We were then all given very
generous portions of succulent pork.
The scene in the garden was most convivial with groups of friends sitting under stripy gazebos enjoying each other’s company, making new friends and tasting the different wines each of us had brought to the party.
After our meal several groups gradually started to play the game of boules, there were about three sets being played in different areas of the garden. Some of the games were quite relaxed and rules were made up as wanted while other games contained a very definite competitive streak. There were two other games attracting many people; these were bagatelle (run by Beverley) and table skittles (run by David D), with prizes for the winners. The level of expertise in the table skittles meant that there had to be a play off between four people. But it was not all competitive games as the lovely gardens provided pleasant strolls over the lawns where we were able to admire the arboretum, the impressive vegetable garden, the ponds, the flowers and shrubs. However do Marian and Peter keep it so beautiful and immaculate? No doubt they had worked hard before the garden party; we were impressed and most grateful for their generosity in providing such a lovely venue for our English garden party.
There were 60 people at the hog roast, and a generously supported raffle expertly run by Janice C swelled the FVTA funds by £140. Thanks to everyone who brought a raffle prize and also for those who brought the lovely desserts. Also thanks to all the committee members for their hard work in putting on a wonderful party.
It was great day and one that should be a regular event in all members’ diaries.
EH
VISIT OF FRENCH GUESTS OF ‘FRIENDS OF VANNES’ GROUP
This year it was the turn of our French friends to come to Fareham and we spent a very enjoyable time with them in May.
They arrived on Friday 17th May after a good crossing for those who travelled by ferry, but a not so good journey for those who came by plane from Rennes as there was a 4 hour delay to their flight! However everyone arrived safely in the end and had time to settle in before the events of the week-end.
On Saturday we went by coach to Salisbury where we had a very interesting tour of the Cathedral – there was a French speaking guide for our French friends which they appreciated. After an excellent lunch at the White Hart Hotel in Salisbury we continued to Breamore Manor House and Countryside Museum. We had an interesting tour of the House, again a French speaking guide was available. We finished the day by making a short tour of the New Forest, where Neville H, with the help of French guest Janine G for translation, gave us a very informative commentary on the area.
Sunday was a ‘quiet’ day to be with our guests and to decide, ourselves, what we wanted to do.
On the Monday morning we visited the Hospital of St. Cross near Winchester where we were taken around by two of the Brothers. We were able to sample the traditional Wayfarers Dole and had an excellent ploughman’s lunch. The afternoon was free to wander around Winchester before returning for our Farewell Dinner. This was enjoyed at Portchester Sailing Club with its fine views of the harbour. Peter and Anne D arranged this and we were grateful to Annabelle McIver and Elizabeth H from the Sailing Club for their kind support.
Sadly some of us had to say good-bye to our guests on Tuesday but the rest of us were able to spend another ‘quiet’ day together before waving good-bye at Southampton Airport on Wednesday morning. (This time the plane was on schedule)
Bons Souvenirs!
Brenda L
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
October Talk
With Cheese and Wine
Wednesday 15th October
This will take place at the Grove Room of St. John’s Church, Locks Heath (entrance in Church Road), at 7.30 p.m. There will be a charge of £5.00 payable at the door.
As our speaker, we shall be pleased to welcome Vice Admiral Sir Michael Moore KBE LVO, who has had a long and varied career in the Royal Navy. His talk is entitled "HMY Britannia – The Royal Yacht – recollections from two commissions, as Sublieutenant and The Commander."
Admiral Moore’s talk will be followed by wine, cheese and biscuits
Annual Dinner and Wine Tasting
Saturday 22nd November
The Annual Dinner will be held in the Titchfield Community Centre, Mill Street, Titchfield, at 7.30 p.m. Please note the change of venue for this year.
We are pleased to announce that the Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham, Councillor Ernest and Mrs Enid Crouch, will be attending.
As in previous years we will be welcoming Del T, of Alexander Hadleigh Wine Merchants in Locks Heath, who will present the wines, with a small prize for the person who most accurately judges their retail prices.
Due to an increase in catering costs, the price has risen by 50p to £20 per head, including wine, but we think you will agree that this still represents good value.
There is a Menu and application form at the end of this Newsletter; for catering purposes, we would be grateful if you could send your menu choices as soon as possible.
Annual General Meeting
Saturday 17th January 2008 at 7.30pm.
Don’t forget to make a note of the date for next year’s Annual General Meeting
which will be followed by a quiz and supper
French Conversation
Meetings continue on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. Conversation is based around a particular topic. We meet in the Titchfield Community Centre from 7.30-9.00 pm.
Our programme is as follows:-
October 7th Collecting/Collections
October 21st Guessing Adverts
November 4th The Eurostar, Travels by Train
November 18th Spot the Error- Picture Cards
December 2nd A Lazy Weekend
December 16th Christmas Fairs and Markets
January 6th How I spent Christmas
There is only a small charge of 50p towards the hire of the room.
To find out more follow link - or just turn up.