The weekend got off to a good start with the welcome at Karen and Alan’s home where all the visitors with the exception of Jean Phillipe’s party who went directly to Jack’s, arrived in good time and after brief refreshment and transferring of baggage, departed with their hosts. Unfortunately, Bernard Coucheron was unable to come (I never found out why) so the party was reduced to 22. Several venues had been arranged for dinner that evening and we ourselves with our guests were royally fed by Maria.

 

The following morning we were all up bright and early to meet outside the West Door of St Marys before proceeding to the Violin School to which I was fortunate enough to accompany our visitors. The majority of our guests were extremely interested and had to be dragged away. I myself was impressed by the skill and dedication, which was apparent from the students; many of who were French (about 50%) and a club visit would be well worthwhile. Jean Bernard   Wiatr was able to make enquiries about having repairs done to a violin, which he has at home in Vernon.

 

A typical English buffet was laid on at the Crown Inn in Bathley supplemented by some good English Ale, which put us in good heart for the visit to the Minster in Southwell, although I didn’t go myself I got the impression that they found it interesting.

After a brief spell for rest we all decended on the Sonning for the trip up river. The evening was cold and it rained most of the time but the fish, chips and mushy peas went down well and there was plenty of singing. We were able to point out the new power station, which the French have built for us at Staythorpe   (what has happened to the British construction industry since I retired). Afterwards we walked through to Millgate and back to K & A’s again for cheese biscuits and a whole lot more, the smell of the enormous Brie, which they brought with them, must have pervaded the whole of Newark but it was delicious.

 

Saturday was a better morning and the visit to the Town Hall went down well where Mayor Rita along with Bob made our visitors welcome, especially as we came bearing gifts for the charities which Rita has been supporting and for which she has raised a substantial amount (I don’t remember the figure, but you are not surprised at that). The tour afterwards was appreciated. (They don’t have anything as grand in Les Andelys and ceremony went out with the revolution in France). Thanks to Keith Isard, I had looked on the Internet for the time of the passing through Newark of   “The Tornado” (a new steam locomotive), Bruno and I went to see it thunder by, a truly impressive sight. (Someone gave Keith the wrong timings and he missed it) We returned to find the rest of our party in the Prince Rupert where we ate and drank the afternoon away.

After a brief rest it was time to make our way to the Golf Club for the Presidents Ball, which was an excellent affair, good food, beer and entertainment. There was a little misunderstanding over the Champagne, which they had brought but this was all forgotten next day when it was distributed at the brunch and toasts made and received.

 

Sunday Brunch at Jack’s was excellent; the sun shone on the barbecue and us, it was up to the usual high standard. All the ladies did us proud with their catering and it was in an atmosphere of friendship that our guests departed, although many were staying on to visit other parts of the country, J-P A and Isabelle to Scotland to see their grand daughter, some to Oxford and some to Kent.   The farewells were accompanied by an invitation to send as many of our members back to Les Andelys next year, not only for the twinning but also for those passing through on holiday.

Graham H.