Visits Archives – East Hoathly & Halland Twinning Association

Family Impressions of a First Twinning Weekend

A couple of years ago we were contacted to see if we’d be interested in taking part in the twinning association and hosting a French family during their visit to East Hoathly. We attended some fundraising events and met a number of people involved in the twinning but, sadly, for a variety of reasons, we were unable to participate in the 2015 festivities.

In 2016 the dates didn’t work for us to go to France however, earlier this year, everything seemed to fall into place. A family was found and the ball started rolling for their visit. We exchanged emails to learn a little more about each other and began planning what we might do once our guests were with us. Everything was set and it was with a certain amount of trepidation and nerves that we arrived en famille at the village hall on Saturday 29th April, ready to meet our famille française.

A cheer went up as the coach pulled in and our visitors disembarked. We were introduced to Magali, Bertrand, Quentin, Evann and Jade and were then invited into the hall for canapés and champagne. We spoke in a mixture of English, French, gestures and hand signals whilst enjoying the hospitality laid on by the twinning association. Almost immediately the children began to play together and managed extremely well, despite each not speaking much of the others language.

After a short speech to welcome the French families to the village and introductions around, we took our family home to get them settled before returning to East Hoathly for the traditional Juziers v East Hoathly & Halland tennis match. Stuart and I are not tennis players but Magali and Bertrand were playing in the match and Evann and Emilia joined in with the children’s tennis games run by Greg, the EH tennis coach.

Whilst the matches continued, Jessica and Jade played at the park expertly supervised and entertained by a number of the Juziers teenagers. Stuart and I got to know some of the other twinners and watched some exciting tennis which was eventually won by the team from Juziers. The evening was ours to do with as we wished and we could have entertained our guests at home but, not having done this before, we weren’t quite sure what to cook so, instead, took the easy option of dinner at the Kings Head.

Most of our party enjoyed a delicious fish and chip supper whilst the two non-fish eaters ordered a burger (fantastic by all accounts) and steak and kidney pie (also gaining rave reviews!) Due to our new friends early start and long coach journey, we did not stay too late at the pub and retired home for everyone to get some well earned rest.

After a very relaxed Sunday morning, of course including a traditional full English breakfast and a lot of friendly conversation, and having found out that our visitors liked history and monuments, we headed off to Battle Abbey. Once again the children got on famously, climbing the towers, racing around the battle field and finding the arrows in the trees with great glee. The adults took a more sedate route, chatting amiably (and gesturing!) all the while. After a few hours of exploring, we rewarded ourselves with afternoon tea in the café and then returned home for a rest before the gala dinner which was to take place in the village hall.

And what an evening it was! Seated with our family, exchanging stories (as always in English, French and gestures!) we enjoyed a lovely buffet meal with wine and beer and then were entertained, first by a variety of songs and dances from Juziers, then with a wonderful arrangement of James Bond tunes by Michelle Titherley, followed by singing and a sketch from the EH&H twinners. At the end of the evening, the Juziers teenagers led everyone in a dance as the start of the disco.

Monday came around all too soon and we knew that the fun was about to have to come to an end. As the grown ups packed and prepared picnics for the journey back to Juziers, the children zoomed around the house (it rained!) on a broomstick playing Harry Potter games. Screams of laughter I am sure could be heard all the way to East Hoathly!

As we waved goodbye outside the Pavilion and the rain continued to fall, the girls shed tears and tried to stow away on the coach to avoid having to say goodbye. They have already started to make plans for our return trip next year…Emilia is determined to improve her French so she can understand more when we are in France and Jessica has found some bilingual French/English books in the library that she is trying to read.

Before the weekend began, we really did not know what to expect but we can honestly say that it was a fantastic and fun experience and goes to prove that language need not be a barrier to friendship. We are really looking forward to going to Juziers next year and would highly recommend getting involved in the twinning to anyone who might be considering it.

Katharine & Stuart Ruff – Halland – May 2017

Twenty Years of Twinning

It was like a scene from Night of the Living Dead. At an unearthly hour, people lurched, zombie-like, in the darkness towards the coach parked outside the King’s Head, dark rings circling their unseeing eyes, bared teeth set in ghastly grimaces. Citizens of East Hoathly and Halland were departing on their biennial visit to our twinning friends in Juziers.

Several zzzzs later, and feeling more human, we arrived at Cheriton for the subterranean crossing of La Manche, only to find an earlier train was stuck in the Chunnel and we would be delayed for two hours. Time to switch to la mode française and breakfast on coffee and croissants. And, before we knew it, we were on our way again.

We arrived in front of Juziers’ Hotel de Ville about 3pm and immediately went in to the welcoming reception hosted by Juziers’ mayor, Philippe Ferrand. 2016 is a special year. It is the 20th anniversary of the first twinning visit between Juziers and East Hoathly and Halland. Following Philippe’s welcome speech and John Graham’s response, Linda Allen, who was on the very first visit to Juziers in 1996, made a short speech thanking the people of Juziers for their welcome and hospitality over the years.

Then came an exchange of gifts to mark the occasion. East Hoathly artist, Keith Pettit, presented a wooden sculpture, a series of overlapping circles which mesh together to form a stronger whole, representing the links between the two communities; Philippe presented a decoratively painted milk churn to John Graham and Pat Duke.

Afterwards, we were whisked off by our host families to settle in, before some of us wandered down to the tennis courts for what has become an annual tournament. Each community put up its star players, from which our own Pat Duke emerged as supreme champion. Hip hip hooray!

The evening was spent with host families, some of which linked up for dinner parties. Gill and I were taken by our host Annelise Martin to dinner with a group of her doctor colleagues, two of whom later performed piano and guitar recitals. We eventually reached our beds at 2am, 21 hours after answering the call of our alarm clock in East Hoathly.

Our Sunday was a time for relaxation before lunch en plein air, when Annelise’s friend, Sylvie, and her East Hoathly guests, Liz and Jonathan Ritchie, joined us in the sunshine for what must have been the warmest day of the year, certainly for us vitamin D-deprived Brits. Several courses and glasses of wine later, we were ready for our tour.

This year, our Sunday tour was a choice of Giverny, some 25km down the Seine, or Chantilly, north of Paris. Annelise and Sylvie had decided on Giverny, and the home of Impressionist artist, Claude Monet. The house is especially known for its gardens which in the warm sunshine were magnificent, with ranks of colourful tulips. Those who went to the beautiful chateau of Chantilly were also treated to a superb demonstration of horse riding skills at the chateau’s renowned stables.

Back in Juziers, we gathered at the Salle de Fêtes beside the Église Saint-Michel for an informal supper with a Caribbean flavour, prepared by Gaeton Binet. We started with a planter, a rum-based aperitif, followed by Assiete Créole (Chiquetaille de morue), Colombo de poulet and Flan coco antilllais. All the men were also presented with the ingredients to make a Créole taster, while all the women received a rose and lily-of-the-valley spray.

Entertainment followed, with older members of our hosts singing songs while younger members did a Créole themed dance routine. It transpired that the two lead dancers were chaps in frocks and sparkly wigs! The East Hoathly and Halland Choir did a rendition of Chanson d’Amour (the Manhattan Transfer version, not the more difficult one by Edith Piaf), which was sung with such gusto that we were required to do an encore. By the end we were so exhausted we headed for our beds.

Monday morning we assembled on the steps of the Hotel de Ville for the group photos and after exchanging farewells boarded the coach for the return to the Channel Tunnel, breaking off en route for a couple of hours to explore Rouen and its ancient sights. These include the magnificent Gros Horloge clocktower, the Place du Vieux Marché, where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431, and the cathedral, which Monet painted 30 times from exactly the same viewpoint at different times of the day and year to show the effect changing light has. Or maybe he just couldn’t get it right the first 29 times…

The Channel crossing was hitchless for our return and we arrived outside the King’s Head exactly on time after un Weekend Magnifique.

With thanks to our hosts in Juziers, headed by Philippe Ferrand, and to the organisers at our end, lead by Pat Duke and John Graham.

John Lloyd

John Graham presents Keith Pettit's sculpture to Juziers' mayor, Philippe Ferrand — John Graham presents Keith Pettit’s sculpture to Juziers’ mayor, Philippe Ferrand

John Graham and Pat Duke receive the decorated milk churn from Philippe Ferrand

Pat Duke in action (or should that be 'inaction'?) on her way to winning the tennis tournament — Pat Duke in action (or should that be ‘inaction’?) on her way to winning the tennis tournament

Monet's house and garden at Giverny — Monet’s house and garden at Giverny

Monet's Japanese themed Jardin d'eau at Giverny — Monet’s Japanese themed Jardin d’eau at Giverny

Annelise Martin with friend Philippe at Giverny

Menu for Creole themed supper at Juziers

Juziers' Creole dancers in action — Juziers’ Creole dancers in action

Philippe Ferrand, the Mayor, dancing with Christine Joly one of the Juziers organisers

EH&H singers of Manhattan Transfer earning an encore

Biblio'phone book swap in Juziers — Biblio’phone book swap in Juziers

Juziers - East Hoathly group photo in front of Juziers' Hotel de Ville — Juziers – East Hoathly group photo in front of Juziers’ Hotel de Ville

Rouen's Gros Horloge has been in its present location since 1529 — Rouen’s Gros Horloge has been in its present location since 1529

Twinning Visit May 1st -3rd 2015

The Twinning Committee members were up bright and early on the Friday morning to decorate and prepare the Village Hall for the arrival of our visitors from Juziers. By 12.30pm the Hall was looking lovely and with the new bunting and banners in situ we were finally ready for their expected arrival at approximately 2pm for the Reception.

No sooner had most of us got back home to change and get ready when the coach was spotted arriving at 1pm! After many frantic phone calls we managed to rally the troops and most of the hosts arrived very quickly to welcome their guests. The reception went well with the help of some excellent canapés

and a few glasses of fizz. Older established hosts and families were soon catching up with their news while new hosts were introduced to their new families certain to make friends for the future. During the proceedings all the host families were presented with a gift from Juziers and we (East Hoathly and Halland) were given a new gift- ‘Le Coq’ to be displayed in the Village hall.

A tennis match was arranged to be played later on the Friday between East Hoathly & Halland and Juziers, this seems to have become an established part of the Twinning weekend. There was much fun and rivalry between the two sides even though it was a little on the chilly side, especially for those watching. Jugs of Pimms were prepared for the players and supporters but possibly Hot Toddies or Mulled wine would have been better!

The Saturday morning was dry if not particularly warm for all the families to be taken out for the day. Families were taken to various places of interest such as London, Chartwell, Knole, Batemans and Arundel to name but a few. The Saturday evening brought us all together for a splendid affair in the Village Hall. All guests were greeted with a glass of Fizz to be followed by an impressive Buffet.

After we were all well fed and watered we had the presentations for the ‘Revanche’ Tennis match. The winning Gentlemen received a bottle of wine each and the Ladies received pretty pots of flowers. There was much celebration from the Juziers tennis team when they found out that they had narrowly beaten us on points!

We then, as hosts, started the ball rolling with the wonderful singing by Susie, Jan and Rosemary who are part of a local a Capella group called Phoenix. We were then treated to a medley of Beatle songs from the Juziers guests with all of us joining in.

We all thought this was the end of the entertainment when after a short pause from the Juziers camp they burst on to the stage in what can only be described as very dodgy Disco gear and even dodgier wigs! Their whole routine was led by the indomitable George DaCosta and the whole place came alive!

After much fun with many joining in with the Disco dancing from both groups it was time to depart after a very long and enjoyable day.

Sunday morning was soon upon us and as our guests from Juziers had a delay to their departure time some families were taken out for the morning, others just relaxed and enjoyed the rest of their time together. Everyone met at the pavilion for their final photos, say their good-byes and to end a very successful Twinning weekend with a good old rendition of Auld Lang Syne sang in both languages!

We very much look forward to our visit to Juziers in 2016…

Visit to Juziers 17th-19th May 2014

There were 36 Twinners that set off for Juziers on the coach with two people travelling independently. The journey was smooth and effortless after a very early start. We had a very welcome lunch break at the Baie du Somme, a motorway services set in a lovely wildlife reserve.

We arrived in Juziers at approximately 1500hrs, Juziers time and were given a very warm welcome and reception at La Mairie. After being paired with our hosts we were taken to their homes for the weekend. A tennis match had been organised between East Hoathly & Halland and Juziers tennis clubs on the Friday evening. This was a tournament with a difference! There was a great deal of fun and enjoyment to be had and we were blessed with lovely weather. The hospitality was second to none and we were all presented with tee shirts to mark the occasion.

On the Sunday the host families took us to various places of interest, some went to Paris others went to Monet’s gardens or Versailles and several of us were taken to the Art Experience Exhibition.

After returning to our host’s homes for a short rest we were all taken to their village hall for the evening’s entertainment. We were greeted with more wine and canapés and then took our seats for the evening meal.

Our hosts in Juziers had set up a traditional Creperie in the hall. We were treated to delicious crepes, both savoury and sweet. The meal was followed by some singing, firstly by the hosts from Juziers and then by us.

We started with virtuoso performances from David Burrell, Susie Mullins and Sally Morrison with the rest of us joining in the chorus. The piece de résistance came from all of us singing the popular French song ‘Les Chavaliers de la Table Ronde’ that involved a very dubious blonde wig and the participation of two of our committee members who shall be nameless for security reasons!!

After a very full and interesting day we all retired thankfully to our abodes.

The next morning was a more relaxed affair before we met up at La Mairie about midday for a photo call and to say our goodbyes. We were sent off with flags flying and a few tears and smiles with many promises for the return visit.

2013 – The Diary of a Come-lately Twinner

Have you ever sat back, kicked your shoes off and said, ‘That was really great fun, we should have done that years ago…’? If you know that feeling and you enjoy good food, good company and a glass or two of vin rouge, then you really should consider joining the village twinning association…

Friday 24^th May 6pm

I arrive home to discover that, despite my texts threatening to make her clean the loos if nothing has been done by the time I get back, my teenage daughter is asleep on the sofa in front of some appalling TV music channel. I dump down two shopping bags on the floor.

‘That particular movement, with so scant clothing to cover it, would have been classed as soft porn in the 70s,’ I comment, with my head on one side.

‘What’s that, Mum, the 1870s?’

‘No, back then it would have been classed as depraved immorality leading men into acts of lewdness and would’ve been punishable by criminal institutionalisation,’ I pause, ‘particularly that.’ I draw back from the screen. Now, come and help me unload the shopping.’

‘But I’m in my pyjamas!’

I arch my eyebrows and inhale deeply.

‘All right, all right – err, you did say you’d pay me, didn’t you?’

The next three hours are spent hovering, tidying and making up beds for a family of five French guests we have never met before and who are completely new to twinning themselves.

‘What are their names again, Mum?’

‘Julien, Sophie, Emilie, who’s 11, Nicholas, who’s 7 and Timothy, who’s 5.’

‘The children are quite young then?’

‘Yes, but I’m sure they’ll all be nice, anyone who’s prepared to get involved with twinning usually is; it does take a certain type of brass nerve on both sides which then breeds a sense of camaraderie as you get to know each other. Most people who do it end up hosting the same family and visiting them in Juziers for years on end.’

‘Hmm, that could be quite nice.’

Saturday 25^th May 2.30pm

[On the phone]

‘Mum, Mum, they’re here! Are you still in Tesco?’

‘Yes, but I am at the checkout, where are you, you sound breathless?’

‘Andrea phoned; I’m on my way down to the pavilion. Mum, please come quickly, I’m scared!’

‘Oh darling, you’ll be fine.’

‘But I don’t speak French!’

‘Don’t you?’

‘I did German, Mum, remember?’

‘Oh, so you did. Well just smile and kiss their cheeks and, and I’ll be there in twenty seconds.’

I dash madly back to the village and creep into the back of the champagne reception still in time for the speeches. Zoe points out Julien to me and he quietly greets me while we listen. Sophie says hello and I apologise for being late, feeling like a naughty school child, but they don’t seem worried.

After the cordial speeches comes a little humour and gifts for the hosts families from the Juziers Twinning Association. We troop outside into the sun and listen to an Uckfield youth band play some music while we start to chat a little. I am surprised and frustrated at how rusty my memory seems to be and relieved to discover that both Julien and Sophie speak better English than I do French.

A fish and chip supper is on offer to those who have booked at The Foresters but with children so young who have been up since 4am, I have planned a family meal at home.

Julien and Sophie prove very easy to talk to. As is the norm with these things, they speak in English and I answer in broken French, occasionally lapsing into English, which they kindly tolerate. I dig out an old Thunderbirds toy with figures and a belly which pops out hiding a smaller vehicle and between this and the ‘boules’ in the garden everyone seems content while I cook a little, chat a little.

The children are enchanting and very well-mannered over supper. Emilie comments in French that my gravy is superb and she even understands my French, when I tell her very earnestly indeed, that if she thinks my cooking is superb, she may visit us again. The first of much laughter.

By the time fruit salad is served, Timothy is nodding into his bowl but determined to eat all of his share before he finds sleep.

Julien reads ‘The Owl and the Pussy Cat’ to Nicholas while Zoe and I clear the decks and I have to explain to him why he cannot find all of the words in his French/English dictionary. Very strange, English people, he comments, after I have returned to the opened door kitchen.

With the children asleep and a glass of wine in our hands, we discover a common link in Uganda. I worked for a summer out in Uganda three years ago and have raised money for Bungokho Rural Development Centre ever since. Julien, it transpires, with his family, is about to embark on a three year stint in Uganda as an operations manager for Total. We spend the evening pawing over a map of Uganda and photographs of the same discussing why, with its troubled history in the 70s, Uganda is now such a great place to invest time, money and care in because the people understand the importance of (and continue to vote for) stability. I tell them of the rich family culture in Uganda and the warmth of the welcome you receive wherever you go, of the work ethic and the entrepreneurial spirit of self-help and micro-business groups and we share an understanding of a rapidly developing economic country in a very grass roots and human way.

We retire for the night as newfound friends.

Sunday 26^th May

I awake to the sound of my door being pushed slowly over the carpet in stealthy stages. I open one eye and spy two smiling boys’ faces poking around the side.

‘Bon jour,’ I say and they giggle, retreating back noisily to their mother upstairs.

I’m not sure why (perhaps owing to our family’s love of pain au chocolat) but without thinking, I have prepared for and bought a typically French breakfast. With hot chocolate in large mugs, croissants, pain au chocolat, homemade jam (which they are mad over) brioche and more besides, Julien declares it a breakfast fit for a king. A French king, of course. We giggle. Why hadn’t I thought of an English breakfast? Silly me. Oh well, next time.

We take a stroll around the village in the morning sun and the children play on the village field, while I explain a little of the history of Henry VIII to Julien and Sophie, as we are headed for Anne of Cleves House for the afternoon.

Lewes is bathed in sunlight as the children delight in grinding down herbs using pestles in mortars, dressing up in Tudor clothes, playing in the gardens and wondering at the smell dubious blind guesses at Anne of Cleves House before we head off for afternoon tea in the Grange Gardens. The weather is idyllic and Sophie insists on photographs of herself and her English hosts taking afternoon tea and cakes in the garden of an historic English Grange.

The children play and chase squirrels. We talk comfortably, my memory of French having quite wonderfully re-established itself by this time, beyond my belief. Memory is a funny thing. Julien teases. His wife tells me to take no notice, declaring that she never has. There is a sense of easy peace.

Reluctantly, for the French spring has been disappointing also, we drag ourselves away from the gardens’ sun in order to prepare for the main Twinning Association Supper in the village hall.

We are not, however, disappointed. The food and the company are excellent, firm friends more acquainted with each other than we are, are in evidence all around us and in lieu of the fact that they will be in Uganda by the time of the return visit to Juziers next spring, we are invited to spend a weekend with the Viguiers in August.

We retire for the night as firm friends.

Monday 27^th May

Being English, I shall not dwell on the fond and, oh so affectionate farewells of the morning or the length of their duration, not at all. Nor shall I comment in the slightest that they are of any great length; suffice to say, that Julien, Sophie and I all notice that all the gathered company of twinning friends and families appear to have enjoyed their weekends very well indeed.

June Update

The weekend has been set, I am about to book the tickets from Portsmouth to Le Havre, where Julien will kindly pick us up (as I am not confident enough to drive in France). After that, there is talk of meeting up in Kampala. Who knows where a twinning will take you? Or the richness in friendship it may bring?