L’Ordre Hospitalier Curieux et Courtois

NEWSLETTER

Summer 2010

Weald Wessex and Downland des Chevaliers de Saint Bacchus

A message from your Grand Connetable

It was most impressive when we saw, in April at the French Magistral in Beaujolais, printed cards everywhere publicising the Wessex & Downland Magistral over a whole year ahead when Weald had been done little more than book things without much detail! That has now changed and we are very excited by the venue, the hotel and the programme. All we need now is massive support for the occasion - and if you have not already booked at the Eastbourne Centre do so very soon as there are very few rooms left. Publicity (and costs) are now ready and will either be posted with this Newsletter or as an extra attachment if sent via the internet. Just to remind you: Weald Chapitre Magistral - Eastbourne - October 2nd

Dear Chevaliers and Chanoinnesses, the start of this year has already been eventful with a number of social gatherings by our members culminating in seventeen of our number attending the very fine Magistral in Macon at the end of April.

will be maintained. Enjoy - and see you all in October at the ‘sunniest place in England’.

I look forward to seeing some of you in August and for the meantime ‘Par Saint Bacchus - Aymons Nous’

Malcolm Valentin

Caroline Gould

For the first time and much to the joy of our Grand Maitre the whole of the Grand Council of England attended the Magistral leading to a special mention by Michel Graviassy during the Magistral. We were blessed with fabulous weather and a very interesting location at the Musée de Vin in RomanécheThorins. Those who opted to tour the museum on As Jenny Smith has written, the recent French Magistral, the Sunday were regaled with much information on hosted by the Commanderie of Rhône-Alpes Bourgogne the terroir and cépage which make up the various went well and the sun shone throughout. Although always types of Beaujolais wines. good to see so many of our fellow members, these events I am so pleased that so many made the journey to seem to attract the same people each time. We must Macon and hope those who were there enjoyed the commend them to those who have never experienced the wonderful French company as much as I did. fellowship and fun to be gained from such ‘away matches’; there are some to be played in Belgium - see the diary - and So, on to the second part of the year. We have the BBQ to look forward to in August hosted by Jenny we intend to go to Leuven; anybody care to join us? In a similar vein, it is frustrating to continually expect the and Phil and then, in October our own Magistral in same people for contributions. Remember, it’s YOUR the wonderful seaside resort of Eastbourne, we will newsletter and for some variety in it I must depend on you keep our fingers crossed for a mild autumn. I do hope that all of you will be able to attend the for maintaining its interest to the readers. Magistral as I am sure that it will be a marvellous As the sun continues to shine - and despite event with much fun and good wine and we shall of the change of day for this years’ Garden course be adding more members to our number. Party - let us hope that the unbroken record

2010 Top Practical Student in Wine Production It seems that every single year there is guaranteed sunshine on the annual prize-giving ceremony at Plumpton Agricultural College, which was held this year on June 18th before a hugely increased audience in and around a vast marquee, reflecting the growth of the College over the years during which St Bacchus has been involved in a very small way with the Wine Department, led by Weald Honorary Member Chris Foss. This year’s prize winner (and the recipient’s names are a secret until the closing stages of the ceremony) was Craig Clapcott, who hails from Castle Cary - with a lovely Somerset burr to match! Craig already has a BSc in Viticulture and Oenology and is apparently particularly interested in a hydroponic method of growing vines, although this hasn’t worked too well so far. Perhaps part of the reason is

due to having a wife who hails from Iceland, not yet known for wine production! He had been preparing himself to go to Canada for the course that he had chosen – and was amazed to be told by the Canadian College that exactly what he needed was taught in England, at Plumpton. For the past two years Craig has commuted from home, where he looks after two small vineyards, to Sussex and feels that he also deserves an award for dedication, especially since on many occasions it has meant sleeping in his car at night. We wish him well. Chris Foss was just off to Seattle, to address the International Symposium on ‘Cool Climate Viticulture and Enology’ (sic) which just confirms the worldwide respect that the Plumpton College Wine Department has gained internationally. We also met Craig’s ‘chauffeur’ for the day, Ian Edwards, new chairman of the UK Vineyards Association (UKVA).

Craig Clapcott - he’s the handsome one

Malcolm Valentin

French Chapitre National in Beaujolais. The National Chapitre for 2010 was organised by the Commanderie of Rhone Alpes Bourgogne and held at the Hameau de Vin at Romanèche-Thorins, south of Macon, a unique wine exhibition centre run by the Duboeuf family.

Last call for the BBQ! As mentioned in the last St Bacchus Newsletter. .....

Please do not forget that the 2010 St Bacchus Garden Party and Barbecue is taking place on Saturday 7th August from 12 noon at the home of Phil and Jenny Seventeen intrepid members of the Connetable Smith, at 13 Sondes Place Drive, Dorking, RH4 3ED. d’Angleterre made their way to Macon, despite British We have already had apologies from some members who Airways’ strikes, French train drivers’ strikes and erupting are busy elsewhere, but also have had notification from volcanoes! Much appreciated by the Grand Maitre was others who are coming, the preferences of salad and sweet the fact that every single member of Grand Council in the contributions that they will be bringing, which have been UK had made the effort to travel which could not be said documented and agreed, so do not delay in letting us know for the French! Sadly there were few Belgians present as by telephoning or e-mailing (01306 884 075 or email Bruges were holding their Chapitre on the same night, but a number did attend including the Grand Chambellan and [email protected]), with your attendance, (or apologies) and choice of contribution. the Commandeur and members of Liege Verviers. The deadline for confirmation is 17th July. Do not forget that you will need to bring your own meat/fish/vegetarian repast for the chefs to cook on the barbecue this year, as there is no money changing hands. Also you will remember that you are responsible for bringing your own choice of alcoholic and or non alcoholic beverages to imbibe during the proceedings. We are looking forward to hearing from you! The ceremony, which included a large number of promotions and introductions, was still over by 9 p.m. which enabled us to enjoy our aperitifs outside on a sultry evening. During the dinner we were also ‘entertained’ by the fairground organ, all part of the ambiance, depending, of course, on where you were sitting!

PSBAN

Phil and Jenny Smith

The menu was designed to feature the local produce so we sampled artichokes and foie gras, volaille de bresse (chicken in an cream sauce with mushrooms), local cheeses and a very light dessert. As is normal in Continental Chapitres, the meal continued long into the night, but a coach had been ordered and sometime after 01.00 those staying at the hotel recommended by our French hosts returned to fall into bed! On Sunday, members of the Confererie.were given the choice of visiting some producteurs or taking a trip around the exhibition centre at the Hameau and both events were well supported. Afterwards we gathered at Change of address & e-mails Le Saloir Vignieron restaurant, renowned for the local specialities, for a substantial lunch, the main course of Colin & Marilyn Redshaw which was pork barbecued in two different ways. Dessert, [email protected] and [email protected] cheese and coffee followed before some members made Marie-Ann Besancon their way home, but others chose to stay another night or 56 Homeridge House, Longbridge Lane, Saltdean, BN2 8RQ more before travelling back to England. “but not for long, I hope” Pictured (right) are Michelle Vinay, the Commandeur of Rhône-Alpes Bourgogne and Chantal Josse, the newly promoted Grand Sénéchal of France. Each had worked extremely hard to give us a wonderful experience and they richly deserve our thanks for a wonderful weekend. Jenny Smith

Tel : 01293 309 964

DIETARY ADS August 7th October 2nd/3rd October 16th November 6th December 4th May 21st 2011

BBQ & Garden Party - Dorking Weald Magistral - Eastbourne Magistral - Antwperen Metropolis Magistral - Leuven Magistral - Sint Niklaas W & D Magistral - Windsor Please reserve this date in your diaries