Argentan

Sint-Niklaas

Schongau

Lucca

Colmar

 PAST EVENTS 2018

Go to 2017 Events. See also the list of all Events since 2007, Future Events and the Newsletters.

Many images can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Christmas Lunch

Sunday 16 December 2018 - at Limoncello Restaurant, 13 Ock Street, Abingdon

A cold, windy and wet Sunday lunchtime (we call it 'dreich' in Scotland), around 50 hardy souls ventured out from their centrally heated homes to congregate at the Limoncello restaurant in the centre of Abingdon for our annual Christmas lunch. The owners kindly opened the restaurant especially for us (it is usually closed on Sundays), so we didn’t annoy other customers with dripping raincoats and umbrellas. It was beautifully warm inside and the warm Christmas cheer was abundant.

There were five tables, each occupied by ten twin towners doing the usual Christmas party things – pulling crackers, laughing or wincing at the corny jokes therein, and simply enjoying each others’ company. The food was delicious, the atmosphere wonderful. My only complaint was that the noise generated by all the chattering made it sometimes difficult to hear.

Many thanks to Nikki for organising the event with her usual efficiency.

Margaret Hancox

Evening Meeting - "Festivals of our Twin Towns"

Wednesday 21 November 2018 - at Preston Road Community Centre

Our November ADTTS monthly meeting was a series of talks about festivals in each of our twin towns.

Five people (Nick, Ian, Peter, Brian and John) talked respectively about festivals in Sint-Niklaas, Lucca, Argentan, Colmar and Schongau. Either talking about the town festivals in general or concentrating on just one or two festivals.

It was a fascinating and informative evening and it was particularly interesting to see how each person approached the subject differently, focussing on different aspects, whether it be balloon festivals, or church festivals, or beer/wine events or even a body-building festival.

After the talks, we had, of course, appropriate food and drink. And it was particularly pleasing that socialising continued well into the late evening.

Remembrance Weekend Visitors

9 - 12 November 2018

For this significant Remembrance Day, we invited representatives from our twin towns to come to Abingdon for the weekend and for each to lay a wreath alongside ADTTS at the War Memorial during the civic service there on the morning of Sunday 11th November. Our guests were Jeannette Ronaldo and Georges Hausherr from Colmar, Marie-Lise Marie and her daughter Lucia from Argentan, and Martin Schleier and his wife Cäcilie Kern representing Schongau.

The programme for our visitors included a walking tour of the town, a pub lunch, the bun throwing at 2pm in the Market Place and a supper party hosted by Stella and Howard on the Saturday. Sunday's activities comprised the civic Remembrance Service at St Helen's Church, laying wreaths at the ceremony at the war memorial, going to the Mayor's reception in the Roysse Room, meeting the bell ringers at St Nicolas' Church for the national "Ringing Remembers" celebration, and all followed by a traditional Sunday lunch with the Society at the Nag's Head.

Marie-Lise Marie writes:

Remembrance week-end 2018 was indeed an amazing and enriching experience for the representatives of some of the towns twinned with Abingdon: Colmar, Schongau and Argentan.

I had been in Abingdon on a school exchange, when I was 15 and I was so excited at the time, particularly to be hosted in a truly British family with their carpeted floor and packed lunches and horse shows on Sunday and also to attend classes: I have vivid memories of the jelly in St Helen’s canteen!

This time was different: to be sitting at the Governors’ place at the Almshouse charity, to participate in the collective joy of Bun Throwing (a unique event in England), to wear the Poppy and to march in the streets, to hear about those «who sacrificed their todays for our tomorrows», to lay a wreath at the War Memorial, to sing «God save the Queen» when you yourselves are not British, to weigh the gilded mace and admire the traditional costume of the Mayor, to meet the town bell ringers, as well as to taste the local beer and delicious pub food…

All these are highlighting cultural differences while at the same time enhancing our common points as people involved in both World Wars, as humans experiencing the same feelings and questions about life and death but also having a good time laughing together at a joke or simply being together!

My mission on Remembrance week-end was to represent my city and to attend the services of the Armistice but also to try to renew the ties between youngsters of both cities. I met several French teachers who gave me hope to start a friendship between John Mason and Mézeray Schools. Nothing could have made me happier.

Thank you all so much for this wonderful Remembrance week-end!

M-L M.

Martin Schleier from Schongau writes:

It was a wonderful weekend. All you and the whole twinning group did was very interesting for Cilly and me. On Thursday we had a meeting of the twinning in Schongau and I told a little of this perfect weekend. For better information I wrote down what happened on these four days and many pictures. If you or the twinning group is interested, you can get it. I put it into the cloud. Therefore here is the link: https://www.magentacloud.de/share/1xya63r0hs. Many thanks again and best wishes to all of the twinning group.

(Martin’s comprehensive report is in German, but worth accessing, if only for the many photographs of the weekend.)

Evening Meeting - The Colourful Life of Richard Wagner

Wednesday 17 October 2018 - at Preston Road Community Centre

On On Wednesday 17th October the members of the twinning society were treated to a fascinating talk given by Philip Addison on the brilliant German composer Richard Wagner. In his talk Phil gave us some hugely interesting insights into his fascinating and rather surprising private life, both on his amorous relationships, as well as his interaction with Ludvig, the eccentric and reputedly somewhat insane King of Bavaria. The King was obsessed by the work of Wagner, which inspired Ludvig to build a phenomenal array of fairy-tale castles, including the beautiful Neuschwanstein castle in the vicinity of our twin town Schongau.

Phil also gave us an introductory explanation into Wagner’s outstanding musical output, and in particular the challenging Ring Cycle set of four major operas based on Germanic and Norse mythology.

Thank you, Phil, for this extremely interesting talk, which has, I’m sure, inspired many of us to explore the works of Wagner more deeply!

Nick Marsh

Visit to Colmar

27 September - 1 October 2018

Eight travellers in two parties embarked on a memorable visit to Colmar. Brian and Susan Read, Nikki Henton and Chairman of The Vale, Monica Lovatt, left by train on the morning of the 26th to overnight in Strasbourg. Nikki and Monica spent the next day seeing the city, while Susan and Brian had a guided tour of the Council of Europe, before they all caught a train to Colmar to meet their hosts.

Stella and Howard Carter with Yvonne Millward and Richard Smart left Abingdon early on the Thursday morning (27th). They stopped off at The European Parliament in Brussels. There they met up with Peter Dodd and Nick Marsh and, together with a group of extremely pro-European Lib Dems, enjoyed a talk by our MEP Catherine Bearder and a tour of the building. We then left Nick and Peter enjoying a beer while we continued by train to Strasbourg.

The group came together the following morning for a walking tour of Colmar followed by a civic reception in the Town Hall. A leisurely few hours of free time were enjoyed followed by a wine tasting at Domaine Karcher in town before we were entertained for dinner.

The following morning we visited Hartmannswillerkopf. This is a memorial and an impressive new museum commemorating a World War I battle fought in 1915 on a mountain in the Vosges in a severe winter. This day out was followed in the evening by a big dinner with Les Amis du Jumelage de Colmar to celebrate the vin nouveau, the first pressings of the grape harvest. It tasted like fresh grape juice but we were warned not to have more than three glasses or suffer the consequences!

On Sunday we split into two groups. Some went to visit Haut-Koenigsbourg castle and Sélestat. The remainder of us accompanied by members of the Colmar twinning group embarked on a cycle ride through the vineyards. Thirty-seven kilometres in total at a leisurely pace stopping for coffee and lunch. We had lunch in the picturesque village of Kayserburg. If you have not visited it, it is well worth the effort. In the evening, ADTTS hosted a dinner for all involved in our visit in the Petite Venise restaurant Le Caveau Saint-Pierre. We departed for home on Monday morning.

As usual a hectic schedule and a very enjoyable séjour. Many thanks to David Mallen and colleagues for their welcome and for all their hard work in organising an excellent visit. Also personal thanks to Gérard and Christiane for hosting us so well as usual.

Howard Carter

Colmar Visit to Abingdon Church Twinning

30 August - 3 September 2018

Church Twinning visit by the parish of St Joseph Espérance, Colmar

At the end of August, several members of the St Joseph church community came to Abingdon with their parish priest Fr François Martz at the invitation of the CiA, the Church in Abingdon.

Their visit started with lunch in the tranquil garden of St Ethelwold’s House, with its spiritual and inter-faith heritage, and the sun continued to shine on their weekend with us as they saw Abingdon, Oxford, Dorchester and took a boat ride on the Thames.

They visited most of the churches in the town, hearing of the many denominations in England and how the churches work well together in Abingdon. As St Joseph is connected with the hospital chaplaincy and with homes for the elderly and adults with special needs, we tried to recognise this in our main meal together, where speakers told of their work with the elderly, visiting the sick and working in music therapy.

Fr François concelebrated the church service at St Edmund’s on Sunday, and the weekend was rounded off with a bilingual ecumenical service and a farewell drink with music from All Saints’ string quartet.

A number of new hosts and dinner hosts got involved on this occasion and helped to make the visit such a success.

Angela Waterhouse

Canoe Camping Twinning Weekend

19 - 23 July 2018

Participants Richard Smart and Margaret Hancox, Ronald Mache and David Beaver, Werner and Robert Beaver, Linda Phillips and Stella Carter

Thursday 19th July Ronald Mache and his friend Werner arrive at my house in their hire car, settle in and have an evening of BBQ, copious amounts of beer and the company of David Beaver, an old friend of Ronald`s and a church twinner.

Friday 20th Ronald, Werner, David, Linda and Richard get all camping equipment to the campsite in Clifton Hampden and four Canadian canoes to the marina. Lunch at Richard`s house and 2.00 departure from the marina. Arrive at campsite 4.00 and have fun putting up tents. 7.30 dinner at the Barley Mow. A light rain was falling as we left the Barley Mow so some of us went straight to bed and others chatted in their tents.

Saturday 21st Breakfast of hot dogs, tea and coffee and 10.30 departure for lunch at the Fleur de Lys in Dorchester via Day`s Lock. After lunch a wander round Dorchester and a visit to the Abbey. Return upstream to the campsite, a brief rest and then back in the canoes to get to the Plough by 7.30 for dinner.

Sunday 22nd Breakfast, pack away and ferry people and equipment back to Abingdon, lunch at Richard`s house, goodbyes and then Richard and Anne gave Ronald and Werner a walking tour of Abingdon.

Monday 23rd 8.00 Ronald and Werner set off for home.

Conclusions
We were very lucky with the weather and we all got along very well. For me the best bits were seeing Ronald so nearly fall into the river at Dorchester and the enchanting paddle back to the campsite after dinner at the Plough.

I was not impressed by the campsite. At £20 per tent per night I think you should be able to have hot water and if they must have a gate code customers should be given the code beforehand.

We have decided on a probable date for next year, the weekend of 28th June and hopefully we will have participants from our other twin towns. We will probably set off from somewhere the other side of Oxford and finish in Abingdon.

Richard Smart

Trip to Argentan for Bastille Day

13 - 16 July 2018

We were very fortunate to sign up for Richard Smart’s first Bastille Day trip offered under the auspices of ADTTS. Richard had previously taken school pupils so was an excellent guide with well chosen anecdotes for our many stops.

Our group of 12 had an early start with a luxury minibus to Portsmouth. The six hour crossing as foot passengers to Ouistreham gave us time to relax before we were met by Jean Paul and Philippe, our hospitable drivers, with two minibuses from Argentan. Our short drive to Pegasus bridge, with its amazing history on 6 June 1944, was followed by a longer drive to Falaise castle, birthplace of William the Conqueror.

On Bastille Day we first visited St. Germain’s church and saw the Twinning corner, containing a banner, which two of our group had helped create. We joined the procession from the Mairie to the War memorial, followed by the tenth Fête des Pâtures. This was a relaxing day to enjoy the eclectic programme, while sipping and eating local drink and produce. We mostly forgot about England and the World Cup.

Sunday we started early to make sure we were back to watch France play in the final. The market and cathedral in Caen were followed by lunch in Bayeux and the opportunity to view the tapestry. Arromanches and its Mulberry harbour, then Longues sur Mer, brought us back to the D Day landings. On our return to Argentan it was tricky to find a bar where it was possible to view some of the screen for the match. However the atmosphere more than made up for that. The excitement of the crowd became wild jubilation once the final whistle blew. Red, white and blue flares were being set off in the street and joyful drivers were struggling to move as more and more cars joined the parade in town.

Monday was time to say goodbye to the generous host families and gave us more insight into the aftermath of the Normandy landings and the Falaise pocket at Tournai en Dives and Montormel. At Moissy Ford we learnt of Le Couloir de la Mort. At Camembert we tasted local cider with cheese, of course, for lunch. The route back to the ferry included a stop at a hypermarket. The sunny weather helped to make our channel crossing feel more like a cruise. The minibus brought us safely home by 11.30pm.

Thank you Richard for a great trip.

Ian and Kay Hunneyball

The Cercle Jumelage Europe Argentan reports on Facebook:

Une nouvelle fois nos amis d'Abingdon on traversé la Manche pour venir nous rendre visite à l'occasion du 14 Juillet. Nos 15 amis anglais sont arrivés hier, passent la journée aux Pâtures et visiteront Caen, Bayeux et Arromanche dimanche avant de reprendre le ferry lundi après-midi après avoir visité Camembert. Le programme initial sera toutefois légèrement modifié afin de pouvoir assister aujourd'hui au match pour la 3ème place de la Coupe du Monde de Football.

"Le football /futbol/ (dans la langue orale, par apocope, le foot), ou soccer /sɔkœʁ/ (en Amérique du Nord), est un sport collectif qui se joue principalement au pied avec un ballon sphérique. Il a été codifié par les écossais Britanniques, à la fin du XIXe siècle ...." Extrait de Wikipédia

...... tandis que Anne et Peter Dodd, nos amis d'Abingdon s'initiaient au tissage végétal sous les yeux attentifs de Linda Philipps à la fête des Patûres, l'équipe de France de Football se préparait pour la finale de la coupe du monde. Merci à nos amis anglais d'avoir inventé ce merveilleux sport!

Puccini's Heroines at Waterperry Gardens

Saturday 7 July 2018

In case it hasn't reached all readers of the newsletter yet, our twin town LUCCA is the birthplace and workplace of world-famous composer of lyric operas Giacomo Puccini. The ADTTS likes to organise group trips to see Puccini operas whenever they are being performed in our local area. The latest of these was in July when we visited the newly-covered open air amphitheatre at Waterperry Gardens, near Oxford.

And just in case the news about Abingdon's twinning with Puccini's birthplace wasn't known to the general audience it was very nice that the Opera Anywhere Director's opening introduction mentioned the group's (20 people) presence in the audience and the significance of Puccini to Abingdon. Surprisingly for a performing singer however, his speech was a bit nervous and he needed a little help from us in the audience about what Twinning actually did. Shame.

We took advantage of the wonderful gardens surrounding the amphitheatre with a very sociable group picnic before moving in to the show. Everyone was I think excited by the sight of the amphitheatre, with its new, open-sided, covering. The first half was samples of popular arias from the operas: solos and duets beautifully sung in English, and I think was enjoyed by our party, including the quite a few who had not previously been to an opera performance.

The second half proved more demanding, the one-act opera 'Sister Angelica' being sung in Italian, and without English surtitles due to the open air venue. Following the story was also not facilitated by the fact that all the characters, with the exception of one, are nuns, so that their similar costumes of nuns' habits sometimes made it difficult to identify the different characters.

Despite the very high technical quality of the singing and the very emotional climax, I think the lack of surtitles somewhat tempered our group's half-time interval enthusiasm, but nevertheless everyone much appreciated the wonderful evening out in an emotionally-charged atmosphere.

Phil Addison

Evening Meeting - Drinks Party

Wednesday 20 June 2018

We were again grateful to Michael Matthews for hosting our annual summer social in his garden:

June 20th was another perfect English Summer Evening. Thirty or so members enjoyed (as last year) drinking sparkling wine and eating canapés in the garden at Longside until darkness fell. Thanks to Ian for helping to erect the gazebo in the afternoon, to Stella for help with the canapés and all those who helped achieve a very rapid and complete clear up in the late twilight. A very pleasant finale to our 2017-2018 program!

Michael Matthews

Visitors from Colmar

13 - 17 June 2018

Our friends from Colmar visited Abingdon from Wednesday 13th to Sunday 17th June. Of the large party of 36, sixteen stayed with families and twenty stayed in the former Four Pillars Hotel (Oxford Abingdon Hotel). The report below (translated by Janet Howe) was written by several of our guests and is taken from their web site, which also has many pictures taken by them of the visit.

Thursday, June 14, 2018

Under a hazy sun, accompanied by our English friends, we took a coach to Avebury in Wiltshire. Avebury is a Neolithic site that exudes a sense of mystery and at the same time a certain serenity.

After an excellent lunch at the village pub in Lacock, we visited the Abbey of the Canonesses of the order of Saint Augustine. The abbey was turned into a family home in the court of Henry VIII and into a museum in the 19th century, devoted to photography. The Abbey is a filming location for many films including some of the famous Harry POTTER films.

The day ended with a family meal prepared by the host families for all those staying with them as well as those staying at the hotel.

Thank you and congratulations to the organisers for this beautiful day.

Christiane Wagner

Friday, June 15, 2018

At 11:15, we embarked for a small cruise on the Thames between Abingdon and Oxford.

The shores were dotted with mansions, old villages and many birds and animals. For the bike riders amongst us, the view was much the same.

Upon arrival in Oxford, our English friends prepared a great and varied "lunch on the grass" at the water's edge. They even made us scones!

In the afternoon our English friends showed us the city of Oxford, with its Universities and museums. For our return to Abingdon, we took the local buses. To end this lovely day, we gathered for a beautiful meal with our English friends and host families at the hotel restaurant "THE COSENER'S HOUSE".

Many thanks to all the British and French organisers for organising this programme.

Jeannette Ranaldo

Saturday 16 June, 2018

One last festive day in Abingdon:

We met up in the town square in front of the "County Hall" (museum) and divided into small groups accompanied by our English friends. We visited the sights of Abingdon on Thames ... (St Nicolas Church, Abbey Meadow and Gardens, Roysse Court, Abingdon Bridge overlooking the Thames, and many others). We also admired the pretty houses with gridded windows and gateways all different from each other.

This day was also marked by the election of the Mayor of Ock Street, an annual event and attraction - very lively! The Morris Men (costumed men, dancers and singers) are the main characters ... who know how to promote the use of beer! In the evening we were invited by our guests to an absolutely sublime "royal" Garden Party, ideal both for the chosen place and for the selection of the dishes served. The desserts especially were a real "killer". Our hostesses certainly showed us their great skills in this area ...

We said goodbye to each other with great friendship.

Edith Werlé

Visit to Argentan by Bicycle

21 - 26 May 2018

Monday morning 21st May eight keen cyclists set off from Abingdon Market Place to ride to Portsmouth. After an overnight ferry crossing they were met at Ouistreham by their host cyclists for the remaining ride to Argentan. They spent a few days cycling with their hosts round the French countryside and tourist visits, enjoying excellent hospitality. Friday was the return ride to catch the overnight ferry, finally arriving back in Abingdon late Saturday afternoon.

For a detailed account of this adventure, with many photographs, do see the blog by Andy Ellis.

Twinning Walking Weekend in Abingdon

10 - 14 May 2018

ADTTS organised a walking weekend in May this year, inviting people from each of our twin towns to join us in three days of walk. The visitors arrived in Abingdon on Thursday May 10th, were accommodated in host families, and they departed on Monday 14th May.

We thought the 3 walks showed the variety of the countryside around Abingdon. Christine and Luc said to us that they really enjoyed the weekend as they loved walking and talking English. We met the jolly French man and Gordon enjoyed speaking French to him and his wife.

We really enjoyed the final meal and all the chat before the meal and around the table. Yes, definitely do it again. We are happy to help more and I will not double book us on the dates that are sorted out!!

Paula Vannuchi

Presentation to the Society from the City of Lucca

The occasion of the Abingdon Twinning walking weekend's dinner at St Ethelwold's House was taken by the City of Lucca to make a presentation to the Society of a most handsome colour volume about Lucca's Gardens.

The presentation was made on behalf of the Lucca City Council by Umberto Giannini, himself a former deputy Mayor of Lucca, and, most appropriately, was received on behalf of the Society by Michael Matthews, who was the Mayor representing Abingdon as the signatory to the original twinning charter with Lucca some 46 years ago.

Photo by Paola Rossi    

Europe Day Meal - Kings Head and Bell, Abingdon

Wednesday 9 May 2018

Once again we met at the Kings Head and Bell, upstairs in the very pleasant Functions Room. Gloria had decorated the tables with little groups of European flags, and had arranged the place settings with our menu choices on the back. We all turned our cards round to show the staff what we had ordered, only to discover that they had listed us all by name, so we turned them back again!

As usual, we began with toasts to Europe Day and to our twin societies in Europe. Then the meal began, which we all enjoyed. The kitchen staff did us proud and the waiting staff were friendly and efficient.

Thanks to Gloria for organising the evening, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all present.

Helen Bush

Evening Meeting - Brightwell Vineyard

Wednesday 18 April 2018 - at Preston Road Community Centre

Bob and Carol Nielsen took over Brightwell Vineyard at the turn of the millennium. Carol explained that the vineyard had originally been planted in the 1980s. When they took it over it was in less than perfect condition and they worked hard in the first few years to deal with the mildew infestation on the vines. Since then the Nielsens have planted a further two and half acres of vines, opened a winery to make their own wine and have won both national and international wine awards.

Carol talked us through the different grape varieties they grow at the vineyard and introduced three of their wines for us to taste. My own favourite was the white. The talk also included an interesting account on the cyclic nature of wine making in the UK since Roman times together with the recent growth in the number (and subsequent decline) of both vineyards and wineries since the 1980s.

She also talked us through the wine making process from the grape picking (volunteers always needed!), crushing the grapes, fermenting the juice, choosing the best types of barrels for oaking the wine and their choice of machined cork, over natural cork and screw caps for the final sealing of the bottles.

It was a very interesting, informative and enjoyable evening.

Mars Street

Visit to Lucca

22 - 26 March 2018

The twinning trip to Lucca was quite popular with a party of seventeen members going. While all flew out to Pisa, eleven chose to enjoy the return journey by train, with an overnight visit to Turin. Accommodation was with families, hostel and hotel. The most enjoyable programme for the weekend was arranged by Maria Curto, with the focus of our stay in Lucca being The Camelia Festival. Below, two members contribute some memories of the visit.

On Friday evening 23rd the greater part of our party in Lucca decided that we would like to go to the advertised concert of Mozart & Puccini. We went into the concert venue - a delightful restored small renaissance church - opened our programmes and were more than delighted to find of the three artists performing, the soprano was no other than our old friend Silvana Froli who made such an impression when she performed for us in Abingdon. As she came on stage she seemed to see us immediately and threw her arms out towards us before giving a most wonderful performance of Puccini arias. She was most ably supported by a very fine Basso-Baritone - Lorenzo Nincheri - both being accompanied on the piano by Diego Fiorini who also gave a bravura performance of a Puccini intermezzo and a Mozart overture. We managed to have a few words with Silvana after the concert. She was delighted to see us and as surprised as we were at our meeting. Unfortunately, she had to go on to a rehearsal so couldn't join us for supper and to meet the rest of the party. A glorious evening.

Michael Matthews

On Sunday our hosts Roberto, Linda and Sonia were kind enough to take Josephine and myself and Eileen Bontempelli to visit the world’s smallest public theatre, as listed in the Guinness Book of Records. It was a scenic drive up precipitous road to the small village of Vetriano de Pescaglia in the mountains north of Lucca. Originally built in 1890, the theatre was lovingly restored by FAI, the Italian equivalent of the National Trust, in the late 1990s.

It has real character with a tiny stage, a gorgeous stage curtain painted by the villagers (see photos), a very small auditorium with seats and beautiful carvings on the two tiers of wooden balconies which contain rows of boxes with more seating. A very enthusiastic member of FAI gave a talk about the theatre to a packed house of visitors who were queuing to get in, sadly in Italian. It looks to seat about 90 in total, similar to the Unicorn Theatre in Abingdon but has a much smaller floor area so keeps its record intact. The theatre stages musicals and plays, some in collaboration with La Scala in Milan and is also used for weddings.

Bruce Hunt

Opera Visit: Madama Butterfly

Saturday 24 February 2018 - at the New Theatre, Oxford

A party of eight members went to the New Theatre in Oxford to see Ellen Kent's production of Puccini's opera Madama Butterfly. "One of the world’s most popular operas, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly tells the heart-breaking story of the beautiful young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant – with dramatic results." We all really enjoyed the evening. Highlights included the melodic Humming Chorus, the moving aria One Fine Day and the unforgettable Love Duet."

Immediately before the show, the group enjoyed an Italian meal together at the Ask restaurant opposite the theatre.

Evening Meeting - The Jews in Oxford History

Wednesday 21 February 2018 - at Preston Road Community Centre

On February 21st members enjoyed a fascinating talk by Pam Mannix on 'The Jews in Oxford History'. Pam originally qualified and practised as an architect in America but decided on a career change and a life in the UK. She took an MPhil at Cambridge University in Mediaeval History and her dissertation was on the history of the Jewish community in Oxford. This is the best documented history in Europe of a Jewish community, with comprehensive archives still available.

Pam's talk reflected her in depth knowledge and enthusiasm for this subject. It was clear that she could have continued well beyond her allotted time! She had many anecdotes to support her romp through 1000 years of Jewish history in Oxford, for example the origin of the name 'Dead Man's Walk' for the path outside the city walls to the Botanic Garden. She had quizzed many people on the origin of the name and received a whole range of explanations. From her research it became clear that the walk was the route, outside the city, that the Jews had to use to take their dead from their community in the area of St Aldate's to their burial grounds - originally in London but later on the site of the Botanic Garden.

The evening was rounded off with the usual excellent and appropriate snacks, including salmon on bagels.

An entertaining and educational evening! For more information and a downloadable self guided walk visit the website: www.oxfordjewishheritage.co.uk.

Steve Quinton

Evening Meeting - French Games and Quizzes

Wednesday 17 January 2018 at Preston Road Community Centre

Whether it was the grim winter weather or the thought of using one’s limited French that made people a bit shy of coming to the January social evening, the result was a small but select number gathering for what was to be a fun evening of games organised by Richard Smart.

It started with a fiendishly difficult word-search as we arrived, followed by one of Peter Dodd’s famous twinning quizzes, then a choice of card games such as French Happy Families, Menteur, Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit in French, and a new game called Brexit, in which each time you get a losing hand, you take on a letter in the word BREXIT, and the first person to spell BREXIT is the loser.

Our efforts were helped along by Nikki’s refreshments and glasses of pommeau to get our French flowing as best it could.

Many thanks to Richard and to the catering team for an enjoyable evening.

Angela Waterhouse

Go to 2017 Events.