RELAUNCH

’

ISSUE 4 - Autumn / Winter 2008

Weald

Wessex and Downland Since some twenty-one UK members attended the Magistral in Paris and enjoyed both the functions and the sights of the city this is a sort of souvenir edition of the Newsletter. We would have been joined by Phil & Jenny Smith but, for those not in the know, poor Jenny had been admitted to hospital with a potentially serious problem following a fall, leaving a number of vertebrae in her neck out of alignment. We all wish her well and have also brought back messages of goodwill from our Continental friends, especially from Michel Graviassy. It was good to see that so many from the UK (including Feo Haddow, who had flown in from Spain) were prepared to get to Paris. All things considered wasn’t going to be a cheap weekend and perhaps an indication that here in England we should not be so budget conscious when arranging our Magistrals. We should discuss this. Our arrival (see the report by Mike Powell!) was much later than it should have been but the location of the Hotel l’Eveque (where 90% of the English brigade were staying) is in a fascinating area of the city although the accommodation was not to everybody’s taste. Nevertheless, after a day spent pounding pavements in the welcome Autumnal sun, a decent bed to lie in was all that mattered. The Magistral ceremony was held below decks on a moored Bateau Mouche, after which the two hundred odd souls hopped across to another. This boat then moved off and spent the next three hours going up (and down) the Seine whilst music played and a splendid dinner was served, although quite The lifeboat! how this was spirited up from a presumably cramped kitchen was amazing. It wasn’t just the excellent wine, but my abiding memory is of huge and happy smiles on everybody’s face as we glided smoothly past the glorious and famous sights that are all so well illuminated, with a running commentary from Hervé R du M.

ALL ABOUT TO BOARD THE SKYLARK!

On Sunday morning, a visit to a waxworks - the Musée Grévin - did not get a lot of support from the Brits, but those who had therefore enjoyed a lie-in reappeared at the restaurant Chez Jenny for lunch and although some returned home that day, others had plans to explore more (or just go shopping) on Monday. It was a memorable weekend - and our thanks go to all those who had organised things so well, including the weather. Lots of photos to look at too! And finally, apart from being the first to wish us all a Merry Christmas despite the gloomy prospects for 2009, can you help? Fabien Reyl known to many of us - wants to contact someone who wants to exchange languages, French/English because he needs to speak English for his job. He suggests an hour or so per week making contact by phone or by webcam. Do contact me and I will put you in touch. Malcolm Valentin

On Some of The Perils of Being In Paris On Friday October 10th, the Famous Five (Marie-Anne, Fran and Barbara, Malcolm and myself) merrily made their way to Ebbsfleet, boarded Eurostar and set off for France suitably refreshed en route with several bottles of wine. Minutes after arriving at the Gare Du Nord we hailed a taxi and very shortly afterwards were speeding towards our hotel only to be stopped within 100 metres by ten policemen in three cars who accused us of entering an illegal taxi. After two hours hunched up in the back of a police car, carefully clutching a litre of 1664 lager, I was eventually allowed to leave and rejoin our group, after having been warned about being drugged, raped and robbed, as it became obvious to the police that we were not illegal cab drivers. ‘Real’ taxis having been arranged we arrived at the hotel after a pleasant trip under the neon lights of Paris. However, having arrived at the hotel Malcolm and I decided that it would be a good idea to return to the Gare Du Nord to collect various items such as a bottle of booze and return train tickets left on a seat in a café. One hour and a second, but unbroken, bottle of scotch later we eventually managed to meet the rest of the group of rosbifs in a little bistro close to the Hotel l’Eveque where a late but jolly time was had by all - and so to bed - after a more few nightcaps. Saturday was spent sightseeing until dinner in the evening aboard a bateau mouche on the Seine. The formal part of the ceremony went ahead on one boat with only a few hitches and glitches and seemed to be a lot shorter than previous years much to the relief of those with only a smattering of French. An absolutely delightful dinner ensued on another boat with copious glasses of wine and despite our best efforts we were unable to pitch Malcolm overboard. In fact no souls were lost. Unable to find a taxi that would stop for us (or anyone else) we stumbled back over the Pont Alma until we found a suitable hostelry where we could refresh ourselves after an arduous walk of some two kilometres in high heels (for some). Sunday lunch was in a famous Alsacienne restaurant where we were treated to the delights of ham hocks and sausages served on a bed of cabbage and carrots. Again, copious amounts of wine flew down our throats until the time came for the many goodbyes’. Mike Powell Sunday’s venue (although no Mrs Smith!)

CIO MEETING Prior to the Magistral in Paris, the dignitaries of the Comité International de l'Ordre (the CIO) gathered for a meeting. Caroline Gould will be reporting the discussions to a Grand Council meeting, but some points which may of interest to the UK fraternity follow:

Seventeen smiling faces & two grumpy old men!

Most importantly, the UK shall hold its annual Chapitre Magistral in October 2010. This will be Weald’s turn once again and your committee will soon be discussing where it will be held. It had been proposed to hold a Magistral in Canada in 2010, but this has been postponed for the time being and will again be held in France, at a destination yet to be decided. The next International Chapitre of the Order is to be held in Belgium in 2012, possibly in Kursaal, near Ostend, in April/May. Other points include improved guidelines for the magistral ceremony to reduce the numbers on the rostrum, standardising the medals, awards and ribbons to match the Belgian model and introducing meritous awards to members only after 10, 25 or 35 years of service. Also, the rank of Dame d'Atour and Chevalier Hospitalier can only be awarded after a minimum of 5-6 years senior faithful service and/or, for example, the introduction of new members.

FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DES CONFRÉRIES BACHIQUES (or the FICB) The annual winefest was held last year in London although, as far as we are aware, nobody from St Bacchus attended. In 2009 it will be held in Toulouse, Gaillac & Fronton and a splendid (and expensive) time would be had by all. The dates are 20th-23rd May, which is a week before the St Bacchus Narbonnaise Magistral is to be held in Montpelier on the 30th May. Anyone really keen on wine and good food could attend both - with a break for a rest between events -and have a memorable time in South West France. If vaguely interested - take a look at the following link: www.wijngenootschapngw.nl/syv_files/file/Programme%20FICB.pdf

A gentle hint!

YOUR SUBSCRIPTION will be due as of January 1st 2009 and reminders will soon be in the post Please avoid Fran Terry having to ‘chase’ you once Spring is in the air. ... and another thing! Do please let Malcolm Valentin or Fran Terry know of any changes to your contact details as an up-to-date contact list will be sent to you with your subscription reminder.

DIARY DATES 2008 November 23rd

Weald Sunday lunch - Wych Cross

2009 January 1st February May 20th-23rd May 30th October 24th

Subscriptions due Weald Sunday lunch - tbc FCIB Congress - Toulouse Narbonnaise Magistral - Montpelier W&D Magistral - Reading

For dates of meetings abroad, see the St Bacchus website

An important date for your 2009 diary Next year’s Chapitre Magistral will take place on Saturday 24th October in Reading and will be held at Queen Anne’s School, Caversham, by kind permission of the Headmistress. Sunday’s entertainment is planned to be a boat trip on the River Thames to Henley and back with lunch on board. For our overseas guests who wish to extend their weekend it is also planned organise a visit to Windsor Castle on Monday morning – all are welcome! Please be Sure to Book - And take Note of the date! Phil Smith (Commandeur – Wessex & Downland)