Report on the events of 2008
Brotherhood of Bangards history
The first weekend in February was an eventful one for four members of the society. Peter Baker, Dennis Ford, Ian Kelly and David Sibley boarded Eurostar at the new Ebbsfleet station, arriving at Paris, Gard du Nord in the afternoon. Here they were met by their host, Bernard Mudry, President of the Pierrefitte Philatelic Society and escorted to their hotel in Sarcelle for a 3 night stay.
The purpose of this exchange visit was to join in the host society’s 60th Anniversary celebration. This consisted of a reception hosted by the Mayor, Mme Hanriot, in the Hotel de Ville on Friday evening. This included the opening of a week - long exhibition at which all four had some of their album sheets on display. The link between the two societies has been firmly established, with visits like this having taken place for more than thirty years. This one proved as successful as ever, helped considerably by the very fine weather over this weekend. Some of the Pierrefitte members last visited Braintree in 2004 and they will be invited back again in due course.
On the Saturday evening there was an excellent anniversary dinner at which the four visitors were presented with commemorative medals.
On Monday morning, it was au revoir to our hosts. The train home was not until 5pm, so there were a few hours free time in Paris. These were spent, of course, in the stamp dealers in a street not far from the station!
For photos, see Photo Gallery
David Sibley, Braintree Stamp Club
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Annual Dinner Friday 11 April 200814 members of the Association came together at Tutti Tuscan Grill for a very enjoyable Italian meal. It was another good opportunity for new members to get to know one another and for more informal discussions on future proposed events. Another meal will be planned for either just before or just after Christmas.
Braintree Male Voice Choir visit to Pierrefitte 3 - 5 May 2008
Sitting in the cool of a forest in Le Touquet on our journey home, I had a chance to reflect on the events of our long weekend in France. A pleasant journey with calm seas; warm sunshine; an excellent concert; good hospitality and food; and a first rate coach tour of Paris. Yes it was all rather hectic and there wasn’t much time to sleep, but it was certainly an action packed and enjoyable weekend.
As is often the case when Braintree Male Voice Choir ‘hit the road’, the business part of the proceedings came first. After arriving in Pierrefitte, we were promptly whisked off to our performance venue where we had a brief rehearsal and a joint sing with Le Jeune Choeur du Conservatoire de Saint-Denis. Then, after a short break, we were all ready for the concert.
Concerts in France seem to have an ambience of their own: typically informal, relaxed yet somewhat boisterous, but always much appreciated. After a short set from the local band Musiques Actuelles, the Male Voice Choir took to the stage and wowed the audience with a moving rendition of I dreamed a dream and a foot-tapping Hello Dolly. Another first session highlight was Abba’s Thank-you for the music.
The Saint-Denis Youth Choir then gave a riveting performance of mostly unaccompanied part songs, gospel music and pop arrangements. Under the dynamic leadership of David Lauer, the young singers clearly enjoyed singing together and performed everything without music. Their renaissance part song was particularly well sung.
Braintree Male Voice Choir then returned with a well received rendition of the medley Kings of Swing, and were joined by the youth choir for a performance of Let there be peace on earth. After a standing ovation, there was an impromptu rendition of When the saints go marching in sung by both choirs. A great concert much enjoyed by the singers and the audience.
Then came the social part of the evening. In the true spirit of jumelage, we were treated to a wonderful selection of food and some excellent wine. We were introduced to some of the people involved with Braintree/Pierrefitte twinning over the years and a number of presentations were made. A great evening, but by the time we had arrived back at the hotel, it was well after midnight. Having started our journey early in the morning, it had been a very long day… and then, at precisely 6.00am, the first, biggest and noisiest aircraft of the day come in to land at the nearby CDG airport. So much for a quiet lay in!
It was on the road on Sunday for a detailed coach tour of Paris. Our coach driver gave us a great insight into the landmarks of Paris, ensuring that every detail of the layout of the city was seen and appreciated by all. It was great seeing the Arc de Triumphe at close quarters and view the other arches in the distance.
On my previous visits to Paris, I had seen most of its landmarks but (believe it or not) had not actually seen the Eiffel Tower or Sacre Cœur at close quarters. The coach driver said the view from the Eiffel Tower terrace was one of the best in the world, and I wouldn’t disagree. Paris is beautiful in the springtime. The songwriter certainly got it right!
And then to Sacre Cœur and Montmartre. The atmosphere was relaxed, the views were fantastic the architecture was stunning. A memorable afternoon.
So it was back to Pierrefitte, a short time to relax and then join our hosts for another enjoyable social evening. Perhaps I’d just got used to them, but the aircraft didn’t seem to be so noisy on the Monday morning and I was able to enjoy a short lay in. But by 9.00am we were all packed and ready to leave for the journey home. The stop at the coastal town of Le Touquet, with its white sand and classy atmosphere, was very enjoyable and rounded off a brilliant weekend.
On behalf of all who travelled from Essex, I must thank everyone involved in organising the weekend. Nous avons eu un weekend fantastique!!
David Wood (Member of Braintree Male Voice Choir)
For photos, see Photo Gallery
BBQ Sunday - 29 June 2008
Despite the weather forecast predicting possible showers, they held off for the whole afternoon. This meant that 17 members and guests were able to enjoy an afternoon of pleasant company with lively talk accompanied by BBQ chicken, sausages and mixed salad.
This annual event is becoming even more popular and an enjoyable way to get together. It was held once again this year in the garden of the Chairman, Ken Measom, in Cressing Road. He is an old hand as a BBQ chef but this year was ably assisted by Steve Silk, a recent new member. Diane Measom as usual provided the salad to accompany the cooking and an array of desserts including her usual marvellous fresh fruit salad. She was helped by Tish O’Callaghan. A small raffle was also held and the afternoon raised over £80 for the Association’s funds.
Boat Trip with Cream Tea - 17 August 2008
20 members and guests enjoyed a river boat trip on the Pride of Lee from Broxbourne. The trip took nearly two hours between the Boat Centre and Aqueduct Lock and then returning a short way past our point of departure to turn at Cartagena Lock. This route took us through the heart of the Lee Valley Country Park which is part of the Lee Valley Regional Park which stretches from Ware in the north to the Thames at the East India Dock Basin in the south. This is a distance of 26 miles (42kms) and covers an area of 10,000 acres (4,000 hectares).
Despite a morning of heavy showers, the afternoon held dry with even a spell of bright sunshine. During the trip we were served a marvellous cream tea with excellent fresh scones. There was also plenty of time to chat, catch up and plan the next events.
For photos, see Photo Gallery
Visit by Vice Chair Gisèle Antheaume - 29 August 2008
On Friday 29 August2008, the Secretary of the Association, Diane Measom, took the train to St Pancras to meet the Vice Chair of the Pierrefitte Twinning Committee, Gisèle Antheaume, when she arrived by Eurostar for a brief visit to discuss the future of the link between the two towns. The Friday evening was spent talking over a pleasant dinner in the garden with the Chairman, Ken Measom and two other Twinning members David and Janet Mills.
Saturday turned out to be one of the first hot and sunny days we had had for some time and we took our French guest to sample the pleasures of a dressed crab salad lunch at the Mersea Oyster Bar and a cream tea at the Lock Cafe, Heybridge Basin. So much did she enjoy the cream tea that it was necessary to stop at the Wilkin’s Jam Factory at Tiptree on the way home for somef shopping.
On Saturday evening a small informal get together was held “chez” Pam Beckwith, where everyone contributed something to the refreshments. This was a time for more discussions about future events planned to be held before Christmas and possible dates for exchanges between the towns next year.
Unfortunately, Gisèle’s visit was all too short and Diane accompanied her back to St Pancras on Sunday morning to catch once again the Eurostar back to Paris.