L’Ordre Hospitalier Curieux et Courtois

NEWSLETTER

Winter 2010

Weald Wessex and Downland des Chevaliers de Saint Bacchus A very Happy Christmas to all our readers! (as they say) In the hopes that I shall be forgiven for not producing a Newsletter until what is virtually the end of the year, the Autumn/Winter issue is a bumper four pages long. As the previous issue came out in June, it is not surprising that the Garden Party held in August at Phil and Jenny Smith’s will be a distant memory for some. Caroline Gould has reported on this - as well as notes from the International Council meeting of the Order held in Leuven and Phil has written describing the Magistral held there in November. He also reminds everyone of the Wessex and Downland Magistral to be held in Windsor in May. But by far the biggest contribution has come from Alain Coutelier, to whom I am most grateful. His long piece arrived lavishly illustrated with many photographs of the Magistral weekend held in Eastbourne in October and it was almost a shame to have to reduce things to fit on one page. For once, there was little need to press-gang anybody into putting pen to paper (so to speak) or finger to keyboard for more copy. Read on and enjoy! For my part and, I hope for many others, the Eastbourne Magistral and Weekend was the highspot of the year and I am enormously indebted to Jack (and Angela) Muncer for all the ground-work that was necessary in the planning stages. The Eastbourne Centre proved to be ideal in every way as well offering very good value for money. We will be retuning there in late 2012 since, as was the case with hotels in Hove and Hickstead, why change if the venue suits our purpose? The only drawbacks are accessibility to Eastbourne and avoiding dates that clash with Magistrals held elsewhere. France and Belgium please note; dates for 2012 please? Having decided on the Eastbourne Centre and details for the Magistral and dinner, the programme and our pre-weekend and post-weekend meals all proved to be both successful and popular, with the only hiccup occurring at the Powdermills hotel where the staff seemed totally unprepared for our invasion – apparently due to staff sickness. Following Saturday’s ‘happy hour’ or two at the Lamb Inn (did everybody see the cellars?) the walk around Old Eastbourne proved to be more fascinating than I had feared, largely due to the knowledgeable Patrick Reynolds and, on Sunday, the trip to Battle Abbey seemed to please, especially as it began to rain just as the coach was due to depart. It could not have been better planned! My heartfelt thanks go to the team at the Centre – and again and again comments were made about how helpful and friendly they were. Have a good Christmas and a Happy New Year Malcolm Valentin

People may wish to know that Jack Muncer is currently undergoing treatment with chemotherapy and I know that we all wish him well. Our thoughts and prayers go to Angela and family

Chapitre Magistral - Leuven The final Belgian Chapitre Magistral of 2010 was held in the attractive university town of Leuven, north east of Brussels. The Chapitre was held in the imposing Hotel de Ville in the Flemish speaking heart of the town. Everybody in the hotel, shops and bars were clearly fluent in English, as were many of the Commanderie members. Leuven is clearly a thriving Commanderie as there were fourteen promotions including a new Lt. Roy d’Armes and eight inductions during the ceremony. Dinner was a short walk away in the Restaurant Grand Connétable past with Grand Connétable present “Salon Georges” where the interesting menu included lobster with asparagus, Coquilles Saint-Jacques with a caviar purée and a main course of delicious venison. After a sparkling ‘Asti’ aperitif from Italy, all the dinner wines were from the Bordeaux region. Two very different white wines from the same producer in Graves were followed by a Saint-Emilion 2007 to accompany the venison. All will also have the chance to visit in April 2012 as it is the location for the Belgian Chapitre International! Phil Smith Chapitre Magistral - Windsor Saturday 21st May 2011 Next year’s Wessex & Downland Chapitre Magistral will take place in the Mercure Castle Hotel in Windsor, on Saturday 21st 2011. Group tickets to visit Windsor Castle will be available that can be used for a whole year after your first visit, so you can explore the many facets of Windsor Castle at leisure throughout the rest of the next year as well as during the Chapitre weekend. On Sunday we will be repeating the very successful Thames cruise with lunch on board on a different stretch of this beautiful river, starting at 12.30 from the riverside in Windsor and returning at about 17.30. Accommodation will be available in the Castle Hotel and also in the nearby Windsor Central Travelodge, which is less than five minutes away on foot. Do reserve the date in your diaries now and I look forward to welcoming you to our Chapitre Magistral next year. Phil Smith, Commandeur – Wessex & Downland.

9th Magistral Chapter of the Commanderie of Weald A report from your foreign correspondent

At the invitation of its Commandeur assisted by the Roy d’Armes, Jack Muncer, the Commanderie of the Weald invited all members in the UK, France and Belgium to the seaside town of Eastbourne, where we were welcomed to the Eastbourne Centre - an hotel on the seafront which offered every necessary comfort for the participants during the weekend. By sea, train, car and air, many had arrived on Friday in howling wind and driving rain! Apart from several English members, our Grande Commanderie of Liège-Verviers was represented by six people. That evening, due to the foul weather, taxis took fifteen people to and from Ridgways restaurant, where we were able to enjoy aperitifs, an intimate meal and a convivial evening together. A good night’s rest then restored us after the long journey from Liège to England by car and boat (and having to drive on the left!).

The menu consisted of asparagus and avocado to start, smoked fish in cheese sauce, champagne sorbet, a main course of English lamb, a selection of English cheeses, strawberry shortcake, and finished with coffee and mint flavoured chocolate. The wine selection was a dry white Languedoc-Roussillon, Burgundy Aligoté, Puisseguin StEmilion 2006 and a Cava Codorniu.

NOW SHOWING! Stars of the silver screen! Michel Graviassy and Rosemary Rudolph

Saturday October 2nd, the date of the Chapitre Magistral, rd dawned with the sun on the sea and the spectacle of power- Sunday 3 October was spent on a visit to the historic site of the Battle of Hastings in 1066 between William the Conful waves exhausting themselves on the beach, close by. queror and king Harold of England, the most important battle This time we walked, to the The Lion Inn, the meeting place of the history of England. It marked the last invasion of for lunch; a journey which took us through the town centre of England and one which changed its history to ever. The Eastbourne observing the Saturday activities, galleries and conqueror William became king and built an Abbey on the shops. Here is a typical English pub rather than a restaurant site to commemorate the occasion and the thousands of men (where draft beer is served manually to the top of the glass who endured the battle, on October 14th 1066. without froth) and there we met, not only our English hosts With people then but also many of our French friends who had just arrived. equipped with audioDuring a pleasant meal for 39, the ambience improved in guides it was possiproportion to the beer consumed with, as the saying goes, ble to take a short or wisdom and knowledge following! The gathering was prior to long tour of the site. a most interesting tour (in French and English) of Old EastWe heartily thank bourne, its walls built of round stones set in concrete, its Malcolm for having Parish Church, public park and rugby ground. chosen this initiative of such great historic Entente Cordiale English importance. - on this occasion!

The open air had prepared our stomachs for the three course meal for 46 people at ‘The Powdermills’ in its rural setting. While some of our French friends left us after that meal, the time came to rejoin others for a farewell dinner at ’The Belgian Cafe’, on the seafront in true British style; here moules and frites were Later, processing to the tune of ‘Il Silenzio’, our Grand served - with Belgian beer of course. Master Michel Graviassy led the delegation of the Dignitar- After our “adieus” on Monday 4th October morning we exies of England, France and Belgium. With no promotions on tended our stay by another day with our friends from Liege. this occasion, three members were rewarded for their loyalty A good choice because with beautiful sunshine, (it is said of ten year service to the Order and a new Chevalier was that Eastbourne enjoys the most sunshine of the country) we inducted. The ritual of the celebration continued as normal enjoyed the long sea-front promenade, the cliffs at Beachy with the libation of the ‘vin vray’ proposed by the Echanson Head, shopping - and again the ‘The Belgian Cafe’ which and confirmed by the Grand Master. had pleased us the night before, before a good nights’ rest An aperitif of Kir Royale and canapés was then served for the (this time uneventful) return journey. before the 66 guests took their seats at the eight tables Our warm thanks to our English friends for a marvellous prepared for the dinner. A disc-jockey entertained us with week-end at Eastbourne and in particular for choosing the music while pictures of previous Eastbourne Centre for the venue. If the experience was ever gatherings of our Order were repeated, we would chose the same place. displayed on a large screen Par Saint Bacchus, Alain and Myriam Coutelier mixed occasionally with amusAymons Nous ! ing and cheerful anecdotes. For our pleasure the Eastbourne Alain Coutelier Lt Roy d'Armes Grande Commderie Liège-Verviers Lifeboat Singers sang amusing sailors’ songs in French and This is a condensed version of English, with all joining in choa longer article which may be ruses, led in particular by Berread on request (in French). nard Perot. Taking part was a ‘Jean-François de Nantes’ With thanks to mon vieux ami truly jubilating experience Bernard Tonnet for translation - featuring Bernard Perot

The CIO Meeting. Held in Leuvan - a report from your Grand Connétable

DAVID DANIELS new member

In early November a small group crossed the Channel to Leuven for the Magistraal Kappitel Grande Commanderie de Leuven. However it was not all play for your Grand Connétable and Grand Connétable Honoraire (John Rudolph). The Grand Maître Michel Graviassy had called a meeting of the members of the CIO to discuss, amongst other things, the International Chapitre to be held in Leuven in 2012. On Saturday afternoon John and I, with other CIO members, visited the Faculty Club in Leuven where the Magistral will be held. It is a part of Leuven University and is a very impressive location. However,there is limited space which means those who wish to attend from England will be rationed as to the number of places to a limit of 30. I would therefore urge all to consider whether they want to attend this event and to make a note in their new diTHE FACULTY CLUB IN LEUVEN aries now of the date of April 21st 2012. A full and exciting programme has been arranged and the food will be cooked by a Michelin starred chef. Those of us who visited Leuven will attest to the grandeur of the Town Hall where the ceremony will take place. The main issues arising from this meeting which I pass on to members are that the Le Chapitre Magistral National Français will be held in Epernay on 22nd October 2011. However the major announcement was that in 2012 Michel Graviassy will step down as Grand Maître after 10 years in the role and he announced that his successor would be Grand Chancelier de France, Messire Bernard PÉROT. I am sure you all know Bernard as a long serving member of our order and man of great conviviality and love for the VIN VRAY. We as members of the CIO were very pleased to hear that he would succeed Michel but also acknowledged what a wonderful Grand Maitre Michel has been. Caroline Gould

The secret to enjoying a good wine: 1. Open the bottle to allow it to breathe. 2. When it does not breathe, give it mouth-to-mouth.

IDEAS D’ARTY 2011 February (tba) May 21st August (tba) October 22nd 2012 April 21st September (tba)

Weald Christmas lunch W & D Magistral - Windsor Connétable Garden Party French Chapitre Nationle - Epernay International Chapitre - Leuven Weald Magistral - Eastbourne

David John Daniels was born in Northallerton, Yorkshire and lived in a small rural village nearby until the age of eight, when his family moved to Sussex. Whilst at East Grinstead Grammar School he joined several French school exchange programmes and developed a life-long appreciation of France, French culture, wines and cuisine as well as a life-long friendship with Joseph, his French exchange school friend. On leaving school he entered a Student Apprenticeship and then studied Electronic Engineering at the University of Manchester where he met his wife Jenny, who is a now a Senior Manager in Health and Social Services. David and Jenny have two sons who, after graduating, are working in London; Richard in Government Affairs and Nicholas in Geology. David is internationally recognised for his work in groundpenetrating radar and has developed state of the art landmine detecting equipment for defence and civil use. His other interests include music, Rotary, painting and, of course, good wines and food. C.G. SUMMER GARDEN PARTY AND BBQ Saturday August 7th dawned with a mixture of cloud and sun. However the sun made a welcome appearance in time for the annual Bacchus barbecue, this year held in Jenny and Phil Smith’s beautiful Surrey garden. A good number of our members were able to join us there and it was lovely to see Doug and Mary Bishop both looking well. I managed to get Mum up the steep drive, with a little help from the car and its overheated clutch!! We were not to be disappointed having all brought our own meats a number of us served as chefs and a feast was delivered. The gardens were beautiful and Mums carer was amazed at the array of tomatoes and vegetables, so much so that she want wanted me to grow the same in Mums’ garden! She left clutching a number of fruity gifts from Phil. The lunch was superb with salads and pudding supplied by one and all and I know that a number joined in a comparative wine tasting from which unfortunately, as chauffeur I had to abstain. It was lovely to have the chance to sit and chat with one and all and catch up on the latest news. The rain managed to stay away until I had just got Mum in the car, when the heavens opened. We all thoroughly enjoyed the day and many thanks go to Phil and Jenny for hosting such a splendid event. It will be held at Mum’s home next year (her health permitting). Caroline Gould

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