Congratulations to Colin Morison for his first-placed photo “Sunrise” in the February photo competition. There were 3 entries tied for 2nd place; Colin Browning with “The Loire Poppy”, and Maureen Sargent with her photos “Rainbow” and “Murmuration”.
Venue: 11 rue des Ducs d’Anjou, 49730 Turquant. See Google maps
Date: 31 May
Time: 10h30, followed by apero and lunch at 12h00
Cost for members 36 Euros per head, non-members 42 Euros per head, to include the guided tour, aperitif, meal and wine.
By the end of the 19th century, troglodyte dwellers in Turquant had transformed their little village into a major centre for producing “pommes tapées”. Using a traditional village recipe, apples were first dried, then flattened with a hammer.
The method had been forgotten by the mid-20th century, to be revived in 1980 by the founder of the museum which is situated in troglodyte caves in the hillside overlooking the river Loire. Visitors are invited to discover the secrets of the traditional recipe and sample the lives of people who once inhabited the caves. The visit lasts roughly an hour and ends with a short 15-minute film
Venue: L’Auberge de la Rose, 12 Place de Gennes, 49700 Doué-la-Fontaine- see Google maps
Date: 22 March
Time: 12h00
Cost: members 29.50€, non-members 33.50€
After retiring from the legal profession in Cambridgeshire, Chris and his wife Felicity took the decision to move to France. They have been here now for over 20 years. Before their move Chris had 2 passions that took him all over England and Wales: repairing and restoring church organs as a hobby and delivering after-dinner speeches to raise money for charity.
Chris has assured us that we don’t need to do any homework prior to his talk in order to enjoy ourselves. However, it may help to know that authors and artists have used allegory throughout history to illustrate or convey complex ideas and concepts in ways that are comprehensible or striking to viewers, readers, or listeners
Allegories have been used by many well-known authors: George Orwell in ‘Animal Farm’, William Shakespeare in ‘The Tempest’, and Edgar Allan Poe in ‘The Crucible’.
One thing is guaranteed: Chris has promised that his talk will be entertaining and will bring laughter to all of us.
Invitations have been circulated. Please email Dorothy Morison with the details requested on the form, plus menu selections for yourself and your party, and details of how you intend to pay.
If returnng the form and details by post, please do so before the deadline of 17 March 2025, remembering that mail may take over a week to arrive
Venue: Salons at the Assemblée Nationale, Paris
Date: 5 April
Time: TBA
Final details are TBA.
Venue: for the AGM: Maison des Associations, Saumur
Venue for the meal: le Cinq 7. 49 rue de Rouen. Saumur
Date: 12 April
Time: 11h00 prompt, followed by lunch
The invitations, agenda. proxy voting forms, minutes of the AGM 2024 and attendance slips for the meal, have been cirsulated. You are reminded that only members may vote at the AGM.
If you are unable attend the AGM, pkease ensure that you send your proxy voting form to the secretary, Jackie Sheppard, before 5 April 2025. In addition, plesae ensure yjat you return the AGM reply slip to Jackie Sheppard before 5 April 2025, regardless of whether or not you are coming to the AGM
If you are coming to the meal, please return your attendance slip to Dorothy Morrison before MONDAY 7 April, remembering that if you post them, they may take over a week to arrive.