Souvenir Normand

British Section

Newsletter – 2015

Souvenir Normand

Committee Members

2016

Patricia Platts - President

Corinne Gibbons – Chairman

Andrea Chapman – Vice Chairman

Sue Hough – Secretary

Jim Hough – Treasurer

Laton Frewen

Anthony Gibbons

Primrose Hollis

Anne Masefield

Josette Vaughan

A rest before exploring Falaise

Delightful dinners

Remains of “Port Winston” –

the Mulberry sections at Arromanches

Dear Members and Friends of the Souvenir Normand,

Welcome to the first of what we hope will be an annual “Newsletter”

giving you reports on our various events and activities throughout the

year, particularly for those of you who are unable to participate fully in

our programmes, but who faithfully continue to be with us in spirit, as it

were. We are very grateful for your continued support.

May I begin by welcoming new members to Souvenir Normand: -

in 2014 Caroline and Edward Beaumont, Christopher Pearce

in 2015 Suzanne Williams, Stephen Bradshaw, Margaret van Draat,

Dr. Douglas Moss, David and Tina White

We very much look forward to their participation in future events.

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So far this year, we enjoyed our usual convivial New Year Lunch at the

Denbigh Pub, which is located just outside Little Common. We are

always most cordially welcomed by Shaun and his wife Mindy.

<<<<<>>>>>

In March, at the Arthur Easton Centre, St. Michael’s Hospice, Brigadier

Michael Turner presented a most interesting talk on the History of the

City of London Livery Companies. Michael described how his own

and other livery companies came to be founded centuries ago, and how

today, their current purpose fits into modern London. This entertaining

talk was followed by a sumptuous tea provided by the lovely ladies of our

committee.

<<<<<>>>>>

In April, a party of us ventured over to France for our annual “one-day”

trip and lunch at the Brassierie Panoramique le Thomé in Escalles,

overlooking Cap Gris Nez – stunning views. This was followed by a

coach tour of the Côte d’ Opale with a view of the Belfry and Town Hall

in Calais. Mme Fréchou, owner of the Brassiere, has since invited us to

repeat the visit next year – a wonderful thought!

<<<<<>>>>>

May found a large number of us enjoying the generous hospitality of June

and Peter Townley at their lovely house in Herstmonceux for a lunch

party in their conservatory. June and Peter are always terrific hosts and

the occasion raced away all too soon.

“Did you know that the name Herstmonceux comes from the combination

of Saxon and Norman words – Herst meaning a dwelling and Monceux,

the name of a Norman family who accompanied William in 1066.

<<<<<>>>>>

In June, together with members from the Anglo-French Club and Battle

Twinning Association, we journeyed across East and into West Sussex to

visit Parham House & Gardens.

Parham House, West Sussex

A local schoolmaster, Richard, captivated us and led us around the many

rooms of this beautiful Tudor mansion. His descriptions of the same

family who grew up in the house since 1577, added meaning to the period

furnished rooms. The old kitchens, where we were served lunch, opened

out into a simple uncluttered parkland as you can see in the photo above.

Thoughts have been given to a return visit to one of our county’s stunning

recollections of times gone past.

<<<<<>>>>>

The 12th

July brought many of us to the home of our Chairman in

Ninfield where Corinne and her husband Anthony warmly entertained us

for lunch on Bastille Day. The theme for the day was to dress up in

colours of red, white and blue and the many who braved the poor weather

experienced a first class lunch, lots of chat with new friends, all

culminating with the rain gods relenting in the afternoon and allowing us

to explore the Gibbons’ garden.

Ruth Sindig, from the Danish Section joined us and while renewing old

friendships, she managed to complete knitting the sweater she had begun

for June Townley over a year before!!!! Much merriment can be seen in

the group photo taken between bouts of rain.

Bastille Day at the Chairman’s home in Ninfield

The 23rd

of October brought our Laton Frewen to a new venue in Battle –

“The Beech Room”, Emmanuel Centre, Harrier Lane, where he presented

a colourful talk on the “Gunpowder Plot” of 1605.

For those of you unaware of our English History, in those bygone years of

long ago, the only successful way to get rid of one’s political opponents

was to assassinate them. Laton’s talk was about just such a plot to blow

up the English monarch – King James I, his family, nobles of the land, the

entire government and many commoners by secreting 48 barrels of

gunpowder in the cellars under the then House of Parliament. The

Gunpowder Plotters planned to set the gunpowder alight during the State

Opening of Parliament above and blow the King and his entourage to

eternity! Tragically for them, the 13 young men who were of a different

religious persuasion to the King, could not keep their plans a secret; they

were discovered! Five were killed in battle and eight were captured.

The eight were tried, found guilty and sentenced to the most ferocious of

executions ever devised by mankind, being hung, drawn and quartered!

One of the conspirators’ names that has come down in time is Guy

Fawkes.

<<<<<>>>>>

The last event in our Souvenir Normand calendar, is to be our AGM to be

held at “Cooden Beach Golf Club” when we shall elect a committee for

the British Section of Souvenir Normand, hear our Treasurer’s report on

the state of our finances and listen to our Chairman’s report on our past

year’s activities and her recommendations for 2016 and then join our

members for a tasty repast.

(Laton Frewen)

<<<<<>>>>>

Penultimately, we are always wishing to increase our numbers. Enclosed

herewith is a copy of our “re-designed Membership Form”. We would

like to ask each of you to try to encourage someone you know who might

like to join Souvenir Normand and participate in our ever growing and

exciting programme of events throughout the year.

<<<<<>>>>>

To end our first “Newsletter”, October 2016 sees the 950th anniversary of

the “Battle of Hastings” and we are planning to host members of

Souvenir Normand from France, Norway, Canada and Denmark – please

do not plan to go away on holiday in mid-October 2016 and assist us with

the 50 and more members who are planning to join us for a stunning

programme of visits and activities to take place locally here in Sussex and

Kent.

<<<<<>>>>>

Souvenir Normand reunion in France – 2015

Between the 31st August and 5

th September, 67 members from Canada,

Denmark, France, Norway and the British Isles met near Bayeux for our

annual Souvenir Normand reunion - this proved to be a superb event,

brilliantly organised with Mother Nature providing warmth, sunshine and

blue skies!

Bertrand Le Jemtel (the new French chairman) ably assisted by Claude

Dudouit, Frances Nicolas and others, laid on a full programme of activities

for each of the four days. Accommodation was provided in this superb

13th

century farmhouse.

Ferme de la Rançonnière Dinner with fellow members

All our evening meals were catered for here in great style and SN

members behaved themselves, most of the time!

Day 1: - Carried us, in the most modern and comfortable of coaches, some

miles to the Benedictine Abbey Church at Saint Pierre Sur Dives. In 1012

William the Bastard’s aunt Contesse Lesceline commissioned the

construction of an Abbey Church to replace one that had stood on this site

for centuries. Now, as William the Conqueror, he was present in 1067 for

the consecration of the Abbey. Tragically, this wooden structure was set

ablaze in 1106 and the current magnificent stone edifice took another

hundred years to leave its permanent mark on the landscape.

Benedictine Abbey Church Saint Pierre sur Dives

Lunch was followed by a coach journey to the stunning Château de

Vendeuvre. Much of our time was spent being amazed by a collection of

miniature furniture and artefacts – none being much larger than 6 inches.

The family had been collecting the thousand and more items for over a

hundred years – well known, the collection presented a major problem in

1940 – it was well hidden and its uniqueness dazzles us today! The

Château and its gardens are truly magnificent and almost worthy of a

repeat visit on one’s own to savour the superb setting.

Château de Vendeuvre

Miniatures at Château de Vendeuvre

(all in ivory and no greater than 3 inches high)

Day 2: - Took us to the Normandy coast of “Operation Overlord” –

6th

June 1944 - UTAH, OMAHA, GOLD, JUNO, SWORD.

We started our visit at Arromanches on the British landing area known as

GOLD, where remains of the artificial harbour called Mulberry can still be

seen. The many concrete sections of Mulberry were floated over from

England in those hectic days of June and they played a significant part in

the destruction of Nazi control over Europe.

A military museum at Arromanches displaying artefacts of this world

event in June 1944, made one appreciate a little of what those thousands

of young men on both sides experienced.

For lunch, we travelled to a golf club, which overlooked OMAHA – the

landing area for thousands of Americans. Our next visit was to the

gigantic American Military Cemetery, situated immediately above

OMAHA – their sons now lie in the most resplendent of locations.

Finally, we visited the resting place of 23,000 young Germans at La

Cambe – quite different in presentation to the Americans, but a tribute to

all those men who fell for their country and a sick government.

American Military Cemetery

overlooking OMAHA BEACH

23,000 German soldiers lie at La Cambe

Day 3: - Quite a long coach journey transported us to Falaise Castle – the

supposed birthplace of “William the Bastard” in 1027. William, at the

age of 8 became the Duke of Normandy after the sudden death of his

father Robert. At first, the young lad depended upon advisors, but by the

age of 20, he had been forced to mature quickly and to experience the

defeat/loss in bloody conflicts of many of those who had been his

advisors. The story of William and his claim to the English throne is well

known. Suffice to say, this powerful Duke and later King led a more than

active life, seemingly often in conflict with his own subjects and his

neighbours. William died from an injury sustained by being thrown

against the pommel of his saddle – in Rouen 1087 aged 60 years.

William is ever present in Falaise

Falaise Castle

Day 4: - The “Grand Finale” of an exciting and so interesting visit to

Normandy took us to Bayeux to view the Tapestry, Cathedral and the

Museum. The 69 meters of a tableau projecting the history of the

Norman period of some 950 years ago – as the Benedictine monks at the

time wished mankind to remember! Ladies originally sewed it; possibly

nuns living in Canterbury started around 1080, so soon after William’s

successful bid to become King of England in 1066. A non-stop audio

description in English took one fairly quickly past each panel, which had

been originally numbered at the top. You can view closely the intricate

stitching and the linen cloth so well preserved after 900 and more years.

Bayeux Cathedral stands above the small city - its towers casting a

constant reminder of times past. One is informed that the city was spared

in 1944 - there was almost no conflict here when the Germans left the city.

That evening, we all joined together to celebrate the end of a wonderful

visit and to say “Thank you” to the French Section for being such kind and

considerate hosts.

On behalf of the British Section, Corinne presented Bertrand with a

framed picture montage of 13 different Norman Castles in England and a

picture book of “Trooping of the Colour”.

Bayeux Tapestry – 53cms by 69 meters

Edward the “Confessor” sends Harold to Normandy

Crowning of “William the Conqueror”

in Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day, 1066

Bayeux Cathédral, Normandy

Musée de Tapisserie de Bayeux

The 53cm by 69m cloth is not a tapestry but an embroidery. It is believed

that Bishop Odo, half brother of William, commissioned the work around

1080. It was probably carried out by a team of female embroiderers in

Canterbury, Kent.

There are a number of copies around the world; of note is one in New

Zealand and one in Reading, Berkshire, England.