MMTTA. MARLOW/MARLY-LE-ROI TOWN TWINNING ASSOCIATION Newsletter New Year 2016

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1 MMTTA MARLOW/MARLY-LE-ROI TOWN TWINNING ASSOCIATION Newsletter New Year 2016 Let me start by wishing everyone a very happy and prosperous New Year. Year 2015 was a very active and busy one for the MMTTA, and since our last Newsletter, the Remembrance and Armistice commemoration services have taken place in Marlow and Marly-le-Roi. Following these at the end of November was our early but very festive Christmas party. Sadly Dagmar lost her husband Martin in November. Martin had suffered from dementia for many years. So let me pass on our most heartfelt condolences for her loss. Our Vice President Patrick Gautier from Marly-le-Roi has just received the Médaille D Honneur De La Ville - see the write-up later on in this Newsletter. We need to remind those members who haven t yet paid their subscriptions that they were due on the 1 st January A Subscription Reminder Form is attached to this Newsletter. Finally we will be looking forward to the forthcoming events, the AGM and the visit to Marly-le-Roi. This Newsletter includes a number of forms and addendums needed for these events. So: AGM Agenda for AGM Minutes of last year s AGM please read beforehand. Any questions can be raised under Matters Arising item 3 on the Agenda. AGM Dinner Booking Form including menu choice Visit to Marly-le-Roi Booking Form MMTTA Holiday Terms and Conditions. But let us begin with. Page 1

2 The Tragic Events in Paris Friday 13th November 2015 I would like to include the sentiments of support and sympathy sent to Les Amis du Jumelage de Marly-le-Roi, by Roger Smith on behalf of the MTTA following the dreadful events in Paris on Friday evening 13 th November: On behalf of Marlow Town Twinning Association and its President Dennis Sargeant, we give you our sincere and heartfelt condolences and love following the terrible tragedy that Paris and all its peoples suffered on Friday evening. We suffer your sufferings and your losses. We are at one with you. We stand with you with strong hearts and hopes that all this hate can vanish from our lives. You are all in our thoughts at this time. We are at war with Hate and we must vanquish it, hopefully in peaceful ways not in the ways of the terrorist. Roger Smith - Vice President Marlow Town Twinning Association Marlow Remembrance Sunday 8th November As per usual it proved to be a spectacular affair despite being a grey and overcast morning. The community of Marlow came together in their usual large numbers, with even more groups on parade. Eleven of our friends from Marly-le-Roi joined us for the Remembrance The English Poppy commemorations including the Mayor of Marly, Jean- Yves Perrot. The service as usual was poignant and effectively done and I think we were all mightily impressed with the ceremonial grandeur. I believe our friends from Marly had an enjoyable time throughout the whole weekend. We had a get together for dinner on the Friday evening of their arrival. Saturday they were guests at the Veteran s Lunch hosted by the Town Council and after the service on Sunday, a number of them went along to the British Legion hall for some refreshment and socialising. Otherwise they were left in the capable hands of their MMTTA hosts. I subsequently spoke to all the Page 2

3 Marly travellers, and they all said how much they had enjoyed their time over the weekend. So, many thanks to those MMTTA members who took care of our French guests over this period. Marly-le-Roi Armistice Wednesday 11th November With our friend Elizabeth from Marly-le-Roi, Tricia and I drove to France in order to attend the commemoration of Armistice on the Wednesday. It was a full-on day. Starting at 9am, we attended the Eglise St Thibault for the prayer of peace. Following this we gathered at L Hotel de Ville The Bleuet de France where we were given the emblem of the French fallen, the bleuet to wear along with our own poppies. We then all marched down to the war memorial at the local cemetery to attend the Armistice service. We all laid our wreaths, Bob Johnson on behalf of the Town Council, the Firemen, and Patrick Gautier and I on behalf of the town twinning. Following this we gathered at the Salle des Fêtes for a speech or two and some commemorative wine. After this we adjourned to the town s social club for a four course lunch which included Suprême de pintadeau (guinea fowl which seemed to be the seasonal dish we had it twice more during the stay), a fruity creamy dessert called Provençal individuel et beaucoup de vin et de champagne all very tasty. This was followed by a sing song. The Brits were given the words of It s a long way to Tipperary which I think we carried off pretty well, thanks to Mayor Bob and his backing group. Having finished this fulsome meal, with a glass or three of wine and champagne, we accepted the kind invitation of Patrick and Martine for further champagne and cake. Even though we were full to bursting we still managed the delicious cake and a couple more glasses of champagne. What a day it s a hard life!! In fact we were welcomed to 2 more luncheon / dinner engagements during our stay. One with our host Elizabeth, and one with Dominique and Jacques. Each time we met up with the folk who had been in Marlow the week before. So it was good to get to know them all that much better. We ate very well and consumed much wine and champagne and were very delighted by their kind hospitality. Page 3

4 We also managed to see a bit of Paris during the trip. A fantastic concert / show called Resiste with music and songs by Michel Berger and France Gall made popular during the 60 s. It was a terrific show with everyone standing, clapping and dancing in the aisles. The French really love their music. We also went to the newly opened Rodin Museum, the Musee de l Orangerie which holds paintings by the impressionists and we walked up the Champs Elysee where the huge Christmas market was being held. And, then to the terrible events of Friday evening. We had returned early from Paris in order to go to Dominique s dinner party, only to find out what had happened in Paris when we returned to our lodgings after 11pm what a shock! Christmas Party Well we were a little early with our Christmas party, but I think everyone enjoyed it and it got us all into the Christmas spirit. We had a lot going on. A picture quiz which table 5 won so well done to them it is never easy putting names to faces even though they may be very familiar. Wendy read us a Christmas story with great humorous interpretation, concerning a Yorkshire farmer who attends a Christmas concert of the Messiah, but doesn t quite get the right end of the stick, e.g. "Then t'rest of t'choir, mad at 'im bein' so clever, Started singin' it ud rain forever an' ever. I made for t'dur as fast as I could; I thowt, I 'd best get wom it there's bound t'be flood.. As you can see, not an easy story to express, but Wendy read it beautifully. We also had Club Django for a bit of light jazz which was very entertaining and provided something different for the evening. We didn t give them long enough to show their full virtuosity but they were good to listen too. Maybe we can use them for the Summer Social which will give them much more opportunity to display their skills. Page 4

5 Then there were carols ugh!! Probably best not to mention them, just to say that we had supplied the music and the words, but not necessarily in the right order. But we tried hard! Anyway thanks goes to Carole Thurston and her team for another delicious meal and to the committee for getting things set-up. I should also mention the MCA committee who kindly set-up the Christmas decorations the evening before. Visit to Marly-le-Roi 2016 Our visit to Marly-le-Roi is from Thursday 26 th to Monday 30 th May The planned itinerary is detailed below; an application form and the Holiday Terms and Conditions are attached separately. The price will be approximately 150 based on 40 people travelling by coach. You do need to have an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and appropriate travel insurance, as well as details of any essential medication being taken and of course an up to date passport (passports are required to be valid for six months following your return from abroad). Janet Cary has kindly agreed once again to organise the hospitality. Fill in the application form and return it to Janet as soon as possible so she can start the ball rolling on the hospitality front. The planned itinerary: Thursday 26 th May Travel by coach via Le Shuttle. Stop at Baie de Somme (hopefully at Le Crotoy on the way for lunch). Friday 27th May Visit the medieval town of Senlis for a guided tour. Stop for lunch and in the afternoon visit the Royal Abbey of Chaalis. Saturday 28th May A free day with your hosts, followed by an evening themed soiree. The theme this year is The Cinema Celebrated Songs and Shows. Hopefully we can come up with some good ideas for costume and entertainment. We will have to see what our Entertainment s committee can conjure up. Sunday 29th May Either a day in Marly (maybe having lunch at the local market) or a trip to Paris for those who wish to visit the capital and do their own thing for the day. Monday 30th May Make the return to Marlow. On the way back, visit Les Abbaye et Jardins de Valloires near the Baie de Somme. Page 5

6 You will have noticed a change to the itinerary since the last Newsletter. Unfortunately the Abbaye de Royaumont is closed during our visit next year, but the ancient town of Senlis with its long history of development and buildings, and L abbaye royale de Chaalis sounds just as good if not better place to visit. Views of Senlis and Chaalis The basic cost of the trip, based on 40 people on the coach will be: which includes: The travel by coach; Visit to Senlis and Chaalis including lunch; Travel to Paris if you wish to go; Visit to the Abbaye et Jardins de Valloires. In addition, you may wish to pre-book lunch both on the way to Marly-le-Roi at Le Crotoy and on the way back, at the Abbaye de Valloires. In both cases the cost of a 3 course meal will be about (wine will be extra). Please note that the Abbaye de Valloires has very limited eating but there is a restaurant nearby that we will be able to pre-book. So if you do not wish to pre-book then you may have to rely on sandwiches provided by your host. Both these options are listed on your visit application form which is attached. AGM and Dinner Sat 20th Feb 2016 Now to our ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING which takes place on Saturday 20th February. We will start at 7pm (or just after if you wish to avoid the car parking fees) with nibbles and socialising and the AGM will commence promptly at 7.30pm. The Agenda and Minutes are included with this Newsletter. Please read them beforehand so any issues can be raised at the Page 6

7 meeting. From the current committee and helpers our Events Organiser, Maria Davis is retiring from her role after 10 or more years though she will still be around to advise us. Maria has performed this role admirably over the many years and we will struggle to continue her excellent work. So once again we need volunteers to come onto the committee, not necessarily to fill the aforementioned role, but to help out in general. Alternatively if you are averse to joining committees but would like to help out at an event, then we would still be very pleased to hear from you. There are about five committees meetings and five events a year so it will not take up too much of your time. Joining the committee does allow you to participate in the decision making we always need fresh ideas. Willing candidates can either let me know (John Smith - tel: ) or any Committee Member. I would like to thank all the current committee and helpers who ensure that we have a thriving and continuing association. After the AGM business we will have another delicious dinner, this time from our caterer, Morreen James. The booking form for the AGM dinner is attached please make your choices and return it with payment to Jill Smith before Friday 12 th February. Subscriptions Subscriptions were due by 1st January If you are not sure whether you have paid yet, please contact Jan Caddie on or by - jan.caddie@gmail.com. A subscription reminder form is attached. Page 7

8 People in the News Patrick Gautier who is a Vice President of our town twinning and is the President of the Marly-le-Roi Les Jumulage has recently received the Médaille D Honneur De La Ville for his many contributions made to the town of Marly-le-Roi, including his town twinning activities. So on behalf of the MMTTA, I would like to congratulate Patrick on receiving such a well-deserved award and would like to add our thanks for his excellent work done on behalf of the town twinning. La Chronique de Marly has just printed an article about Patrick and his award (Dec 2015 edition), referring to how British he is, and saying that he is a man of many interests and of much generosity. His contributions have included working on the Marly Town Council for many years, organising major equestrian events for the town, town twinning as we know, teaching and last but not least a loyal subject of his gracious Majesty who reigns on his bowler hat. He has also left a trail of traditional British artefacts around the town of Marly including his Austen Mini, a red telephone box and a red post box. Patrick is a founder of the twinning association, bringing a party of students to Marlow in 1970 and exploring the feasibility of twinning before the formal signing in If you wish to read the full article about Patrick then you can access La Chronique de Marly on the web (Google search) or you can access it through our Links section on the MMTTA web site it is a very good read, in French of course. Page 8