Newsletter - April 2009
Dear Members,
Welcome to the latest edition of the ATA Newsletter which coincides with the beginning of a very busy time for the Twinning Association. Hopefully it will also bring some fine Spring weather with it!!!
You will find details below of all the forthcoming activities which includes reminders about the French Market and the Spring Walk, as well as initial information on the visit to Alresford by our friends from Bricquebec.
I look forward to seeing many of you supporting these events,
regards
Bienvenue a nos amis de Bric !
On Friday 15th May we will be collecting 27 visitors from Portsmouth on the 22.15 ferry arriving from Cherbourg. It is exciting to see a revival in interest on the French side too. At least for one couple it will be their first visit to Alresford. Also amongst the group will be a young teenage girl as well as Chantal’s son Thibaut, who is at college.
For everyone’s information the group will include Chantal Herve and Thibaut Greard; Guy and Mimi Pichon; Joel and Jacquie Hallet; Isabelle and Pascal Cranois; Sylvie, Stephane and Laureen Pilorget; Gaelle and Gerard Bihan; Jeannine Bavay; Jean and Marilyne Marouard; Martine and Patrick Hebert; Christian and Francoise Orieux; Jean Loup Fleury; Francine Garrec; Colette Baczynski; Nadine Travers; Mariyse Picot; Lucy Betton. We have allocated most families to hosts, but we may have a couple spare….so if you do get a call from Terry asking for help, your support would be appreciated.
On the Saturday we are expecting to be hosted by the NATC at a small reception at Arlebury Park around 10.30am, do come along if you are free.
The afternoon is free for the hosts to entertain the visitors. However we are hoping to offer a few options of activities to help. We already have a visit to Winchester College organised and if anyone is interested in joining this, you need to advise Terry as soon as possible. Other activities will be advised once finalised.
In the evening we will be hosting dinner at the Cricketers and everyone is welcome to attend. Numbers will be limited, so please book your place early on the attached form. Terry is collecting the French menu choices from Chantal, but we would ask hosts to please complete the form as well as other ATA members wishing to join us.
On Sunday the visit coincides with the Watercress Festival, so plenty of opportunities for our guests to enjoy Alresford, hopefully bathed in spring sunshine, before they depart to catch the 15.30 ferry home.
Reports on Recent Events
Skittles Evening
The annual Skittles Evening took place on the 27th February at the Swan Hotel. Thirty–five members enjoyed an evening of competition, food and good fun. Three new families joined us: Clive, Gail and Shannon, and Keith, Pauline and Clare.
The first half of the skittles was won by the “A” team, Marian Baldwin was the highest scoring lady, Graham Lumb was the lowest scoring man, and Dave Lord won the final killer round.
Many thanks to the Swan Hotel for looking after us.
Coffee Morning
The Coffee Morning event on Saturday 14th March was very well attended by members of the Twinning Association although it was hoped to attract more people from the community. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming with the smell of fresh coffee and warm croissants. A bit of authenticity was added with music and songs by French artists. However, it was a cool blowy morning and most people were hurrying back home after local shopping. We managed to sell all the croissants and even provided a take away service for one business who was unable to leave their shop on a busy Saturday.
We had quite a few enquiries about joining the association and we hope to see them in the future at social events. We also had some interesting people drop in for a chat which included the prospective Conservative candidate for the Winchester area. During the morning people were setting up for a toy fair in the upstairs room and came to buy coffee. They were very interested in the organisation and the possibilities of joining for both friendship and possibly to form a link with fellow enthusiasts in France.
I would like to thank all the members who turned up to help, washing up, serving coffee and clearing away at the end of the morning. I think we all need to say a special thanks to Terry as without his enthusiasm for the association these events would fall from the calendar.
French Conversation Group
The inaugural meeting of the was held on Monday 20th April. Although only few in number we had a pleasant evening chatting together in French and English and decided to meet twice a month.
It was felt that as the group develops we can then decide on the best time and day of the week to meet. The next meeting will be at 10:00am on Monday 11th May.
If you wish to come along please ring Derrick on 01962 733131.
EMAILS
If you haven’t already done so, please can all members email their up-to-date email addresses to the new treasurer, Jean Hudson.
These are useful not only for the newsletters but also to send out last minute messages before events.
Jean
Saturday 16th May — The Cricketers
Menu
Watercress Soup
Traditional Roast Sirloin of Beef or
Salmon with Asparagus and Hollandaise Sauce or
Goats Cheese Soufflé with salad and new potatoes
Apple Pie or Glass of wine Coffee/tea optional payable separately Cost: £20 per head Cheques to be made payable to Alresford Twinning Association and sent to Terry Foreman along with menu choices
The ARC Big Quiz — 6th June
(Alresford Recreation Centre)
A team of eight people is needed to represent the ATA. If you are interested please let Terry Foreman know asap. The winning team/association wins a large cash prize to go to their funds.
Summer Wine Evening
Unfortunately we are not yet able to announce the venue but please be sure to put the date in your diaries—Friday 10th July.
In the past we have visited Brandy Mount and Weir House and are hopeful of finding a similar, easy to access venue.
If any of you have any suggestions as to where we might be able to hold the event, please let Terry Foreman or a member of the committee know so that we can consider it at the next committee meeting.
Itchen Abbas Petanque Club Events
17th May. A free open event from 2—6pm with afternoon tea.
12th July. Barbecue and Open Day from 2—9pm. Cost: £10+ to be confirmed.
Please email or tel: 01962 732054 Philip Ferris if you are interested in attending either of these events.
Forthcoming events
Details of all our events can be found here.
JOINiNG THE TWINNING ASSOCIATION
You can join the Twinning Association by completing the on-line form and we will acknowledge receipt of your application by e-mail or you can write to Alresford Twinning Association, c/o 2 Dover Close, Alresford, SO24 9PG. The annual subscription is £5 per individual or £10 for a family. The subscription can be paid by internet banking direct to our bank account or by cheque made payable to Alresford Twinning Association.
We welcome all new members just as members, but if you feel you can offer additional help please let us know.
Terry Foreman, the President, can be contacted by phone 01962 733769 or by email.
Your Committee
Margaret Lumb:
I have lived in Alresford with my husband Graham for 27 years. Both of our children attended the local schools so I was pleased to be asked to help with school liaison aspect of the association. I have taught Food in secondary education so was not at all surprised to be given the task of food organising and purchasing for the social events we run in the group. I feel Alresford is unique in the numerous clubs and societies on offer to the community and that it is important to be actively involved and keep the social aspect of the town thriving.
Clive Cook, Gail Lindsay & family
(B’Sutton)
Brian Gabriel
(New Alresford)
Julia Harkness and family
(New Alresford)
Paul and Gwyneth Rutherford
(Bishops Sutton)
Vernon Walker
(Fobdown)