RELAUNCH

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ISSUE 5 - Spring into Summer 2009

Weald

Wessex and Downland Happy New Year! - albeit rather late as it is nearly mid-May! I have been anxious to get a Newsletter out for some three months but for a variety of reasons, nothing could be done. At last, there are enough newsworthy items to get going in time, I hope, for this to be with you before the Chapitre-Magistral in Montpellier. There is a message from Caroline Gould, your Grand Connétable, notice of the Wessex and Downland Chapitre Magistral and of a Summer Barbecue, to be hosted this year by Phil & Jenny Smith in Dorking. If the response to the ‘show of hands’ at our lunch in March is anything to go by, when I presumed that this event would be back at Hartfield, there should be a good turn-out. Do support both of these events.

Bacchus Sunday Lunches These are now a regular part of our programme and, way back on November 23rd, Weald organised a lunch at the Roebuck Hotel at Wych Cross - not too far, we Watching the smokers ... hoped, for anyone in the Order to attend. Hardly any coaxing persuaded twenty people to come, including Basil and Christa Rushton - and in particular our newest Ecuyer, Roy du Preez, who will be inducted later.

Since the last Newsletter, Weald have arranged two Sunday lunches. Each were well attended and we owe huge thanks to Jack Muncer for the time and trouble that he takes - down to the smallest details to ensure that everything goes well. Such meetings always seem to provide great pleasure and it was particularly good to see new faces - and a few old and almost forgotten ones too!

It wasn’t really an official ‘Chapter’ meeting, but on December 12th, it had seemed a good idea to have lunch-time meeting of the Grand Council; this was held at a pub near Horsham, but this was not a place for quick service, perhaps due to Phyllis Gould and a host of her lady friends who were lunching there too.

Not quite as many revellers as attended the Paris Magistral are able to go to Montpellier and we shall be missing some familiar faces, but for some of us it is an excuse for a holiday too. Phil and Jenny are also attending the Antwerp Magistral en route! As Caroline has said, we will be welcoming Toni & Hülya di Paolo into Weald, bringing the number of Weald members to 32. The CIO (Comité Internationale de l’Ordre) decision to recognise ‘long service’ with a star and/or fleur de lys involves some nineteen members. It all seems a little complicated and I am hoping that John Rudolph will be able to shed more light on the scheme in due course. Have a great Summer! Malcolm Valentin A ‘NEW YEAR’ MESSAGE FROM THE GRAND CONNETABLE

Dear Chevaliers and Chanoinesses, so we reach yet another new year. How time flies! This year looks to be another packed calendar of events for our esteemed Order. In March we had a Weald Commanderie luncheon at Mannings Heath which was well attended. Soon there is the annual Magistral in France at Montpellier to which fifteen of us are going including two new members for initiation: Toni & Hülya di Paolo, each of whom have already taken part in a number of Weald events. In addition Jenny Smith will be promoted to a Grande Dame of the Order. I am so pleased that in my first year as Grand Connétable we have welcomed a number of new members and will be adding more at the Magistral hosted by Wessex and Downland to be held in Reading in October. Later this year, in August, we will also have another Garden Party which always proves to be a very lively and sociable event. At the last meeting of the Central Committee it was decided that the Belgium method of offering insignia denoting length of membership and dedication to the order should be instigated in every Connétablie. Therefore in the near future a number of you will receive invitations to accept such honours if you wish to do so. As there is a cost involved this is a purely optional invitation. In these rather bleak economic times I am so pleased to see that we are able to continue to indulge in our pleasure of a good glass of wine and splendid company and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible in the coming months. Par St Bacchus Aymons Nous. Caroline Gould

More recently, was a return to the Mannings Heath Golf Club, on Sunday 15th March. This was where the post-Magistral lunch back in 2004 was held - but the draw this time was a ‘special offer’ - which resulted in a very worried Jack Muncer who then had to attempt to squeeze thirty people into the room. It all went well - and it was just as nice to sit outside before and after lunch. It was good to see Doug & Margaret Bishop looking very well, and the welcome faces of Stefan & Jessica Pancic and Rajes Visram with his partner, Nicky. The next lunches? Proba- Good to see you - it’s been far too long! bly in November and early in ‘10. MJV

Summer Barbecue 2009 The Connétablie d’Angleterre Summer Barbecue will take place on Sunday 9th August from 12.30 pm onwards in the garden of Phil and Jenny Smith’s home at 13 Sondes Place Drive, Dorking, Surrey RH4 3ED. So - another new location but with a similar format to previous years. As usual, please confirm your attendance as soon as you are able to Jenny Smith by phone on 01306 884 075 or by email to [email protected] and please also contact Jenny with your offer for salads, desserts or nibbles, so she can ensure that there is the usual wide variety of goodies to eat. Please bring your own choice of alcoholic or non alcoholic refreshment and your contribution of food - all for the amazing cost of £6 for each person which will include the BBQ fish and meat. Entertainments available will include boules, minature croquet (the mallets and balls are the normal size, just that the lawn is smaller!) and garden darts. Jenny Smith

THE 2nd WESSEX & DOWNLAND CHAPITRE MAGISTRAL 24th October 2009 at Queen Anne’s School, Caversham, Reading, Berkshire This year’s Chapitre Magistral will take place in Reading, where both Phil and Jenny Smith went to school, and the birthplace of Commandeur Phil Smith. By kind permission of the Headmistress, the Chapitre will take place in the magnificent setting of Jenny’s former boarding school, Queen Anne’s, where she remains an active committee member of the Old Girl’s Society.

The recommended hotel is The Crowne Plaza, Caversham Bridge where I have negotiated a special rate of £80 per room per night inclusive of breakfast. There is (currently) a cheaper room rate of £59 the Premier Inn, Reading (Caversham), but breakfast is extra and once a full breakfast is included, there’s only £6 difference per couple. To reserve your room at the Crowne Plaza call 01189 259 988 and ask for the inclusive St. Bacchus rate of £80. To book in to the Premier Inn, use their web site www.premierinn.co.uk or their call centre.

Reading is on the River Thames and the recommended hotels are close to the riverbank at Caversham where you can walk The ticket price will include shuttle minibus transport from the Crowne Plaza Hotel to the School and back. beside the river and admire the famous swans. The highlight on Sunday will be a 5 hour boat trip down the river Summary programme from Caversham to Henley enjoying the wonderful scenery of Saturday 24th October - Welcome lunch with overseas guests the Thames Valley as the boat makes its way downstream to the at the hotel. course of the famous Henley regatta that takes place in June Saturday evening - Chapitre and Dinner at Queen Anne’s School each year. There will be time for a leisurely lunch on board Sunday (10.00 am) - Cruise on the Thames from Caversham to before the boat returns to the hotel in mid-afternoon. Henley and back, with lunch on board. On Monday morning, we are organising a visit to Windsor Castle Sunday evening - Dinner in Caversham with overseas guests. for those overseas visitors who wish to take a long weekend, Monday - Visit to Windsor Castle followed by lunch in Windsor. followed by lunch before they depart for home. The Grand Maître, his wife I do hope that you will join us for what should be a memorable and nine other Chapitre and weekend. couples from Booking Forms will be sent out at the end of July confirming the France and Bel- cost of the events, but if you are already tempted to come, why gium have al- not reserve your hotel room and send me an e-mail confirming ready reserved, the fact so that I can reserve your place on the cruise? but everyone is Phil Smith welcome - come Commandeur – Wessex & Downland along and join us WINDSOR CASTLE FROM THE RIVER THAMES Phil Smith 13 Sondes Place Drive, Dorking, Surrey RH4 3ED Email: [email protected] Tel: 01306 884 075 Fax: 01306 884 030

A HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY to Feo Haddow

Introducing .... new members. Toni di Paolo hails from the Abruzzo region in Italy. He came to England as a hairdresser, to learn English – met Hülya, fell madly in love - and stayed on instead of returning to Italy as he had intended. He is now looking forward to slowing down before retirement, limiting the number of his hairdressing salons. Hülya di Paolo is originally from Cypress – from the Turkish end. As a young girl she came to England for her education – and stayed here. She works as a special needs teacher and loves her job! Toni and Hülya live near Redhill. They have three children and, very soon, a second grandchild. They are introduced to the Order by their close friends Phiroze and Halinka Bhana.

Young at heart!

MONTPELLIER Wish you were coming too? .... with Caroline Gould, Halinka & Phiroze Bhana, Toni & Hülya di Paolo, John & Rosemary Rudolph, Phil & Jenny Smith, Lawrence & Liliana Tarr, Malcolm & Barbara Valentin and John & Margaret Williams. Pictures and report next time - just to make you realise what you missed!

2009 DIARY DATES May 30th

Narbonnaise Magistral - Montpellier

August 9th

Connétablie BBQ - Dorking

October 24th

W&D Magistral - Reading

... and by the way : Have you paid your subscription for the year? Only £10.00 for an individual or £15.00 for a couple. Send it asap to Fran Terry.

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