L’Ordre Hospitalier Curieux et Courtois

RELAUNCH

ISSUE 3 - Late Summer 2008

Weald

des Chevaliers de Saint Bacchus Late Summer Greetings. Summer! - what Summer? At least the Gods smiled on each event involving members of the Order of Saint Bacchus. Starting in early June and on a beautiful sunny weekend the ‘wedding of the year’ took place between two members of the Weald Commanderie; then, on a blazing hot Friday just a week before the Magistral, Barbara and I attended the prize-giving at Plumpton College to see the award given by the Order of St Bacchus for the Top Practical Student in Wine Production won by the bright and attractive Miss Lucy Patten, B.Sc (Hons) in Viticulture and Wine Production. Dressed to kill, as we were in full Bacchus regalia, we featured in umpteen photographs, no doubt supplying a certain ‘touch of colour’. Lucy Patten and awards

Wessex and Downland The Magistral weekend was followed by weeks and weeks of rain, right up to the night before Sunday August 10th - yet for the sixth year in succession, a sunny day dawned for the Barbecue - held this year in Phyllis Gould’s garden in Horsham. Organised by Caroline Gould to celebrate her new rôle, with the able assistance of old hands Phil & Jenny Smith, it was heartening to see a goodly number of members of St Bacchus, potential new members and some old friends, notably Jean-Pierre Serin, who was staying with us in Hartfield and having a ‘holiday within a holiday’ to be in England at this time, and Basil & Christa Rushton, persuaded to come by Marie-Anne Besancon.

Another of his ridiculous wine competitions had been arranged by Mike Powell (following a slightly more erudite version from Caroline) and the prize was won, appropriately enough, by Caroline herself. Nobody seemed interested in playing games and the afternoon passed in pleasant conversation - until the wind gradually began to gust, threatening to blow away the large tent The sun shone again on the Magistral and weekend events. that filled the lawn. Jenny Smith has been kind enough to write a glowing report The food was, as ever, plentiful and the expertise of Phil Smith about it all, but for us it was a huge relief that it all went ensured that the meat was perfectly cooked (compared to the reasonably well after the Hiccup of Hickstead - and we just broke ‘skill’ by Mike Powell at a BBQ the night before!). A good time even in terms of cost. We seem to be admired(?) by our Conti- was had by all - with many thanks to Caroline and Phyllis for nental counterparts for a more informal approach to our ceremo- arranging the event. Where shall we be next year ....? Malcolm Valentin nials and although the room where the Magistral took place seemed adequately sized when unoccupied, by the time it had filled with people, the proceedings became a very intimate affair with a greater crush on the so-called podium! Organised chaos seems an appropriate expression. Bearing in mind the height of our Dames d’Atour, we should also make a note that new members (see picture with Jenny’s report) may only be admitted if they are short enough for these ladies to dress. Although similarly vertically challenged, Caroline Gould rose to the occasion on this, her first Magistral, as Grand Connétable of England. The evening went well enough, although unusually, not many people took to the floor to dance .. but my memory is the of star turn, Michel Graviassy, cavorting with the attractive singer, revealing that our Grand Maitre is a man of many talents! And so to bed .. until the trips next day.

... and the sun shone. No wellies required at the Grand Connetablie Barbecue! “Not bored, tres fatigué”

FUTURE EVENTS Nothing has come of plans to arrange a fixture with the Handcross Boules Club, but a lunch/Weald Chapitre meeting will soon be arranged for the Autumn. Before then, there is Paris. A full report in the next Newsletter.

The attentive Class of ‘08 at Plumpton College

Since I write this rubbish, I’m allowed some indulgences. Hannah looked absolutely lovely in her wedding dress and since many people have asked to see a picture - here’s a glimpse of Mr & Mrs Michael Whittington - there are many more photographs ... MJV

THE EIGHTH WEALD MAGISTRAL

After sampling a range of Plumpton wines and making our purchases, Malcolm Valentin presented Chris with a certificate The English Chapitre Magistral, hosted by the Commanderie of awarding Honorary Membership of the Order. We trust that the Weald was held in Haywards Heath over the weekend of Chris may feel that he could become a full member in the future. June 28th and 29th. Guests arriving by train were welcomed at the station with French and Belgian flags and the weekend The party then travelled to the Mid Sussex Golf Club for another began with a pub lunch at the Five Bells at Chailey, chosen as excellent meal, overlooking the eighteenth hole and the practice a ‘typical’ Sussex pub. All of our international guests (nine from ground. Chris Foss was able to join us for this, providing a France and two from Belgium) and several members appreci- further opportunity for members to talk to him. ated this opportunity and enjoyed the ambience of the surThose international guests travelling by train were then taken roundings. We were also well treated by the weather which to Burgess Hill station where they learned what the fast London allowed us to sample the lovely pub garden. to Brighton train really means whilst you are standing on the Regrettably it was all too soon to return to the Birch Hotel in platform waiting for the stopping train! Haywards Heath, the venue for the ceremony and dinner this Malcolm and Barbara Valentin then kindly invited the remaining year. The ceremony was held in the Sussex Room at the Hotel international guests to an English cream tea at their home. where the sun poured through the large windows as promotions Jenny Smith demonstrated the skill of constructing a cream tea were undertaken. First John Rudolph was appointed Grand with the requisite strawberry jam and cream balanced on the Chancelier and Marie-Anne Besançon promoted to Dame scone! Debate followed on the relative merits of butter or not! d’Atour; then two new On the Monday, Phil and Jenny Smith then took the remaining Officers of the Weald six French guests to Ightham Mote. A most enjoyable tour of the Commanderie were aphouse was undertaken in both languages and lunch in the pointed - Mike Powell as shaded restaurant courtyard was the final event of the weekend Echanson and Michael before the French made their way back to the M20 and the port. Whittington as Argentier. Finally four new members Many thanks to Malcolm and Barbara for organising a wonderful were inducted: Lawrence weekend and for ensuring that the sun shone for all the events! & Liliana Tarr for Weald, Jenny Smith and Eileen Chamberlain & Kevin Ramsey for Wessex and Downland. EARLIER (the vin vray was Valentin!)

EYES ... RIGHT!

... and LATER!

“My wines are all organised by origin”

PARIS CHAPITRE MAGISTRAL Left to right:

Eileen, Liliana, Kevin & Lawrence

We were delighted to have the Grand Maitre and the Premiere Dame de l’Ordre present for this ceremony, especially as it was the first Chapitre Magistral presided over by our Grand Connétable, Caroline Gould. The Grand Connétable of France, the Grand Intendant of the Ordre, and the Commandeur des Hauts de France and their ladies also attended. Theo Peeters, Grand Connétable of Belgium, sent his apologies, but Belgian friends were represented by Emile & Eliane Story-Vandenborre. Following the aperitifs, an excellent meal followed whilst we were entertained by Jerry Cody and Claire Chapman who played and sang a number of old favourites. The raffle, as ever, was a great success with members being most generous in their contributions. Sunday morning saw a convoy of cars navigating the Sussex countryside to reach Plumpton College and the Wine Department, where the Weald Commanderie awards a prize annually to the best practical student on the wine course. Chris Foss, the Head of Wine Studies, gave a most illuminating presentation in French (accompanied by slides in English for those who had difficulty!). Chris explained that he was half French and was brought up in the Bordeaux area, hence his fluency and perhaps the beginnings of his love of wine. A tour of the vines and the Chais followed, so all could see the equipment used and the way in which the students took a full rôle in the wine production process. (continued ...)

By now everyone who is attending the Paris Magistral (cruising gently up and down the Seine) will have reserved their rooms at : THE GRAND HOTEL L’EVEQUE 29 rue Cler, 75007 Paris (in the 7th Arondissement) Telephone : 01 47 05 49 15 Metro Station nearest hotel: Ecole Militaire (Metro Ligne 8) RER Station nearest hotel : Pont d’Alma Bus: Nearest Bus stop to the hotel: From the Place École Militaire • N° 82 • N° 92 • N° 28 Web link : http://www.hotel-leveque.com/en/index.php