Newsletter - June 2007
Dear Members
Another fine spring day in Alresford on Sunday,
28th April heralded the arrival of the French Market
from Normandy. This was the first time that
Alresford had hosted such an event, which was
sponsored and organised by the Twinning Association.
Marche de France brought over directly from Normandy
16 large stalls which filled the top of Broad
Street from the Horse and Groom down past Pizza
Express. The Twinning stand was well located outside
the Horse and Groom and right between three
very healthy smelling French cheese stalls!!
Freshly baked bread, biscuits and cakes were on sale. Children were seen feasting on hot crepes, while mum and dad tucked into portions of Paella or Tartiflette. Many people left the market a little shorter of money with shopping bags full of dried sausages, pate and other French specialities. Of course no Normand market would be complete without Calvados and Cidre Bouche to wash it all down with!!
What is even more thrilling is that on the day we signed up 12 new members and many more local residents took away leaflets describing our activities. When asked by one enthusiastic member of the community “Are you going to organise another one?” “When is it planned for?” My only reply could be, “Yes, but I need a few days to recover before I can even think about it!”
Many thanks to all members who helped man the
stand and especially to Steve Love and Peter Harwin
who helped tidy up afterwards.
Spring Walk
On Sunday 22nd April we were blessed with some glorious weather for our Spring Walk, when twenty-two members and friends turned out.
We started the walk at the Church in Itchen Abbas and followed the River Itchen to Chilland, returning through open countryside to the Trout Inn for lunch and a welcome drink.
Charles Cuthbert led the walk and stopped a number of times along the way to point out things of interest. We spent time to listen and identify a wide variety of bird songs. The highlight being the sound of the rare Cetti’s Warbler when we were standing on the bridge at Chilland where we also spotted a Kingfisher darting along the river bank. It was surprising to see so many different types of beautiful butterflies.
A fantastic and enjoyable morning in the countryside; many thanks Charles for making it a very special occasion!
Coffee Morning
The
annual Coffee Morning was held on Saturday, 17th March in the John Pearson
hall adjacent to St Johns
Church. Coffee and croissants were served to around 50 visitors on the day
and music was provided by Bob Wheeler on his accordion. Four new members
were recruited on the day. Next year’s event is already booked in the Community
Centre, where we hope to make a bigger impact by being more visible to visitors
to the town.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
Hilary & David Carr, Jan Conway, John & Esme Goodacre, John & Lorna Irwin, Ros Muspratt, Pauline Parish & family, Sue & Vic Prior, Barbara Purvis, Ian Reynolds, Martin Robert & family and welcome back to Jackie and John Frampton.
French Visitors in Alresford
The market town of Alresford, already decked out with its splendid summer display of hanging baskets, was home for the weekend to 16 visitors from the twin town of Bricquebec.
Having arrived late on the Friday night on the speed ferry from Cherbourg, they were hosted by members of the Alresford Twinning Association.
On the Saturday morning a Reception was held at the Arlebury Park Club, where over 50 people from the two Twinning Associations, Chamber of Commerce, Town Council and Sports Clubs enjoyed a glass (or two) of Bucks Fizz.
Roy Gentry, the newly elected Chairman of the Alresford Town Council, opened proceedings with a brief welcome to the
guests and confirmed the desire of the ATC to help move closer to our partner town. He also commented on the increased
level of activity and enthusiasm being generated by the current Twinning Committee.
Terry Foreman, the president of the Twinning Association added his words of greeting and underlined the desire of the association to increase the number of sporting links between the two towns. The next sporting event will be a visit to Bricquebec in October by the town’s Badminton Club, together with the first exchange for the Tennis Clubs. He was particularly pleased to welcome Lucie Betton, a young junior school teacher from Bricquebec, who is keen to re-establish links with junior schools in and around the Alresford area. It would be an important initiative and Terry hopes to generate enthusiasm with Sun Hill, Ropley and Cheriton Junior School Head Teachers to participate.
In the evening 46 people attended a lively buffet supper at the Golf Club.
Sunday completed the weekend which, in view of the weather, was spent with hosts undertaking a variety of activities
from walking in Tichborne, a visit to the Hampshire Farmers market, Winchester Cathedral and The City Mill.
The French left on the afternoon ferry tired but happy with the experience of both English hospitality and weather!!!
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Invitation
The President, Terry Foreman
would like to invite you
to the Alresford Twinning Association’s
Summer Wine Evening
on Friday, 13th July at 7pm
at Brandy Mount Gardens, East Street, Alresford
by kind permission of Michael Baron.
Enjoy a glass of wine with a few nibbles
Bar available for an additional glass of wine.
Parking in Broad Street