Issue 3

WEALD NEWSLETTER

Autumn 2003 from Malcolm Valentin - Commandeur ( Weald)

A VISIT TO PLUMPTON Late on a fine and sunny afternoon on July 18th a dozen or so members met at Plumpton Agricultural College where we were first given a talk about the history of the college and details of the wine production course which can lead to the only degree in Europe of B.Sc (Wine Studies), by Chris Foss, the head of department. Although the College have several vineyards scattered around the area, on campus is a small vineyard where we started our tour. This contained several different varietals, all of which are grafted on to American root-stocks to be phylloxeria resistant. The students, who come from all over the world to learn the techniques of wine production and have generally already been involved in some aspect of the wine trade, are each allotted a set of vines for which they are responsible from pruning to picking. On further (past a mini-zoo!) to the small processing plant, where the grapes would later be de-stalked and juice extracted before fermentation. Students are encouraged to experiment with different blends of grape types and study the chemistry of quality and taste, although the College produces several thousand bottles each year of a variety of ‘Estate’ wines. Then to the most important part of the visit for any true Chevalier or Chanoinesse - the tasting! We were given a red, a rose, and three white wines to try; all quite palatable but one white in particular going down very well - although as drivers, not as much as we would have liked!

To round off the proceedings we retired to a pub, the Jolly Sportsman, set deep in country lanes, for a fine meal and more wine. Those around were then probably highly entertained by the raising of glasses and the shout of ‘Par St Bacchus, Aymon Nous!’. All in all, a lovely day and very rewarding to see the winemaking art being taught in the depths of Sussex. Many thanks to Chris Foss and, especially, to Basil Rushton, for having arranged such an enjoyable event, more of which should be repeated and hopefully - more members will attend. Caroline Gould

The English Wine and Food Festival At Bentley, between Uckfield and Lewes. on Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th September. The response to this event was rather poor and it is therefore left for members who wish to attend to do so without the benefit of a reduced price entry that might have been possible by an early group booking. Those who did express an interest will find a brochure enclosed with this Newsletter; those who did not, but wish to come, should phone me for details (01342 850 998). Entrance on the day costs £10.00 per adult and includes food and wine tastings, souvenir wine glasses, programme and ‘all the attractions of Bentley’. There is a wine competition, grape treading, plus local beer, live jazz and a barbecue! Our plan is to meet at the entrance to the event, where there will be a large marquee (just in case it rains!), at 12.30 on Sunday 7th September. Hope to see a few familiar faces there!

THE WEALD COMMANDERIE GARDEN PARTY Sunday August 18th

MEMBERSHIP NEWS A letter from the Grand Connetable, John Rudolph, accompanies this Newsletter, which is being sent to everyone in the Ordre de Saint Bacchus here in England. You will be saddened to read that Bernard Eldridge, a member of some twenty years standing, died in late June.

Our thanks must go to Malcolm and Barbara for arranging this party. Sixteen of ‘us’ attended together with a similar number of the Valentin’s friends and neighbours, roped in to swell the numbers, and there would have been more had an early arrival not made its appearance some two weeks earlier than expected ... congratulations to Len and Gill Other disappointing news is that Maurice Averns, Grand Chancellier, has made the reluctant decision to resign from Bishop on their latest grandchild! the Ordre, as has Graham Griffiths, Grand Echanson. The invitation was for mid-day, which in my language means from noon onwards. The route was easy to follow from the directions given and we found the ‘carparkski’ with no difficulty. 4th WEALD MAGISTRAL What a lovely day! A barbecue had been set up in a shady area overlooking the delightful and manicured garden and we discovered Jenny and Phil who were busily cooking the meat, producing baked potatoes and coordinating all the salads and puds brought by the participants. Our sincere thanks to Jenny, Phil, Barbara and Malcolm for all their hard work and concentration on the tasks in hand - the meat was cooked to perfection and the accompaniments very tasty. There had been two principal reasons for our Weald Commandeur to provide a more comprehensive programme of events for this year; the first was to provide the opportunity for members who cannot always make the Chaptres to keep in touch, and the second was so that we can get to know each other better. It was therefore good to see some faces that had not been seen at a Saint Bacchus function for some time; Chevalier de Merite Jack and Chanoinesse Angela Muncer were there, newly retired, as was Chevalier Mark and Dame d’Atour Elizabeth Russell. Lunch was duly eaten and many bottles got drained as we sat mainly in the shade, before those who wished to could venture out to partake of the challenges of boules, shooting and some other activities ... which by this time I was far too relaxed to notice . John and Rosemary Rudolph. My personal thanks, too, go to Phil and Jenny Smith, who hardly seemed to spare time to relax and enjoy things, even to the extent of a further cook-up in the evening - and all on a very hot day. My grateful thanks also to Barbara, who was rarely seen as she organised things in the kitchen. Although the event lost money due to some last minute cancellations., we’ll undoubtedly do it again! .... Has anyone got any photographs ?? Malcolm V. Know someone who should join the Chevaliers de St Bacchus? Contact Malcolm Valentin or John Rudolph for more details on the Ordre Malcom Valentin - 01342 850 998 John Rudolph - 01963 441 109

To be held at the Hickstead Hotel on Saturday October 25th A booking form is enclosed with the Newsletter giving more detail and we must have FINAL NUMBERS BY OCTOBER 10th. In addition to the Magistral, other events have been planned to ‘round off’ a weekend of camaraderie. Accommodation has been pre-booked at the Hickstead Hotel for both Friday night and Saturday night at the special rate of £50.00 per room - although not including breakfast, since there are those who don’t want one, those who want the Big Yin, or those in between! Room bookings must be made by October 4th to qualify for this special reduction. The Magistral will begin with a reception at 6.45 pm, followed by the Chapter meeting at 7.15 pm, then time for aperitifs before dinner at 8.30 pm. Some musical entertainment has been arranged for the evening - and there may be some who then wish to ‘dance along’. The cost of the dinner has been kept at almost the same price as last year and represents extremely good value! The Magistral Weekend will begin on Saturday afternoon with a trip to see some local attraction - yet to be confirmed, after meeting at the Hickstead Hotel at noon. On Sunday morning, a guided tour of the ancient County Town of Lewes has been arranged, with lunch afterwards at the Jolly Sportsman in East Chiltington. PLEASE GIVE THIS EVENT YOUR FULL SUPPORT

“Men are like fine wine. They start out like grapes and it’s our job to stamp on them and keep them in the dark until they mature into something you’d have dinner with.” “Women are like fine wine. They start out fresh, fruity and intoxicating to the mind, then turn full-bodied with age until they go all sour and give you a headache.”

NOTE - REDUCED ENTRY FEE OF £30.00

With best wishes to you all!

Par St Bacchus - Aymons Nous!

Malcolm