email: friendsofnevers@gmail.com for more details
French Supper & whist evening
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AGM & Quiz March 2025
Farewell Andrea
On Friday the 7th of March we held our AGM. Sadly Andrea resigned as chairperson. A significant event as she had been the first chairperson when the Friends of nevers had started official exchanges with people in Nevers in 1984. After a break she returned as chairperson in 2019. Since Covid, Andrea has helped us organise a Murder Mystery in a French Chateau. Our Jazz Cafe soiree, including a little skit with Rene. The fifthieth Anniversary which included a barn dance enjoyed by all and a visit to Oxford. Andrea told us about some of the highlights of her membership, and was given a small gift as a token of the Societies appreciation. After the AGM some of our members paid tribute to Andrea in a song. After the AGM we had a bring and share supper and a quiz.
AGM & QUIZ NIGHT – 7th March
Come and join us to
have your say at our Annual General Meeting,
share a Potluck dinner
before putting your little grey cells to the test
in our friendly General Quiz
Friday 7 March 2025 at 7.00pm*
St Mary’s Church Hall, 1 Sherwood Avenue, St Albans, AL4 9QA
£10 for members / £12 for non-members
*AGM will start at 7.00pm/ Social Evening will start at ± 7.45pm
To book your place(s), email bernadette.chezelle@gmail.com by
5 March, indicating your name, how many tickets you require and
your method of payment. It would be helpful if you could also mention whether you will be bringing a savoury or a sweet dish to share.
Parking information
Please check the local parking restrictions. Avoid the
free parking at the Quadrant car park (maximum stay 3 hours).
There is an unrestricted car park near the Baptist Free Church on
Sherwood Avenue AL4 9QL.
Jazz Soiree Social evening
Our Jazz Soiree on Friday 22nd November went with a swing thanks to the BSV Jazz Band. The french cafe feel was enhanced by the decorations and prescence of some charactures from the 1980’s sit com ‘Allo ‘Allo. Guests enjoyed a supper of a mixture of french cheeses and characuterie, accompanied by french bread and some salad. The Jazz band helped to provide a convival atmosphere and included some french classics such as Je ne regrette rien in their repetoire. The consumption of wine from the bar may have helped encourage some members to dance.A good time was had by all, as you can see below.
50 years of Fun & Friendship – Celebrated in St. Albans
A weekend to remember
The Friends of Nevers celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the twinning with Nevers in June. The long weekend was packed full of activities for the 20 visitors from Nevers.
The weekend started with a reception at the civic centre. This included a speech by our chairperson Andrea Berry who looked back at the different activities and changes that have taken place (including of course the challenges of Brexit and Covid). Andrea had the distinction of being the first chairperson of the Friends of nevers, which gave her a unique perspective. Claudine Boussard, the president of the Amicale replied on behalf of the Nevers visitors.
The council had the flags of the two countries on display along with the gifts recieved over the years. There was also a display of photographs and newspaper cuttings to remind us of previous events.
In the evening we also had a Barn dance with a fish and chip supper. The Brookfield Band and caller gave us a wonderful evening to remember with everyone joining in the dancing.
On the Saturday our visitors had the opportunity to find out more about the history of St. Albans with a tour of the women connected to St. Albans Abbey. In the afternoon there was a very entertaining tour of the Roman Museum and St. Michaels church and village given by John Morewood.
Sunday morning saw 45 of us gathering in St Albans bright and early for our day in Oxford. This included the opportunity for a brief look at the Ashmolean Museum before starting on a tour of the Oxford colleges – there was a choice of a French or English tour. This culminated in the Botanical gardens where we had had a picnic lunch. During the afternoon some people attempted to punt on the river others prefered to continue to absorb the sights of Oxford.
After a busy day we ended with a relaxing drink and meal at the Trout inn, before the coach ride home.
Who will be King?
A review of our January social evening.
Throughout January in France you will often see for sale the Galette des Rois. This delicious dessert is traditionally eaten on January 6th (Epipheny) to selebrate the arrival of the 3 kings in Bethleham. It normally contains a feve – traditionally a bean but nowadays a small figurine. Whoever gets the piece with the feve in is crowned King for the evening. The crown is normally given when a galette is brought.
A collection of feves that could be hidden in the galette.
At our social evening on 29 January we were entertained by Bernadette, a member of our committee, who demonstrated how to make a Galette des Rois. In addition she told us about the fascinating history of the galette that dates back to Roman times.
The galette was served as a dessert after an extensive bring and share supper, which included salads, couscous, pizza and cheese. Guests recieved a complimentry glass of kir.
After the supper, guests took part in a fun quiz with questions around the french kings. The evening was finished off with a raffle. A good time was had by all. The money raised will go towards subsidising the visit to St Albans in June by Les Amicales from Nevers, when we will also be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the twinning with Nevers.
Wine tasting evening a success
We enjoyed a great evening last Saturday 23 September. Flagship wines provided us with 6 red and white wines from the Loire region. Julia gave us an informative talk about the wines. and a selection of cheeses, charcuterie and olives helped us to appreciate their flavours. Nearly 40 people attended.
A wonderful welcome in Nevers
First visit in 4 years
We recieved a wonderful welcome in Nevers, when we visited in June. Our trip included a visit to an arboretum including a 4 course meal in the Orangry. We also attended the Napoleon 3rd Fete in Vichy, when the whole town appeared to have been transported back to the 18th century.
We arrived at the station in Nevers at 6.30pm on the 15th June, after a smooth journey. We were collected by our hosts at the station, and spent the evening recovering with our hosts.
On Friday we visited L’ Arboretum de Balaine. These gardens were originally created by an English family living in the house in the 19th century. After a leisurely lunch we enjoyed a wander around the grounds admiring the many trees and plants from all over the world.
On Saturday we drove to Vichy where in addition to attending the Napoleon 3rd Fete, we had choice of a guided tour in french or english.
After lunch we had a look around the Fete, many of the stalls were based on paintings by the Frnech impressionist paintings. In addition to stalls in the park demonstrating traditional crafts, there were demonstrations of dancing. If you wanted to have a go at 18th century dancing, then that was possible too.
On Sunday we spent the day with our hosts. Some people visited the local markets and sights around Nevers. In the evening we had an excellent meal at a local restaurant.
COME TO OUR LOIRE VINEYARD
Saturday February 11th 2023 at 7pm
AND HELP US SOLVE OUR
MURDER MYSTERY
Friends of Nevers AGM and Entertainment
A FISH AND CHIP SUPPER*
will follow the AGM at 7.45pm
Followed by a murder Mystery for you to solve.
*Please advise if you require the vegetarian halloumi option.
There will also be a RAFFLE, so bring some cash for tickets.
St. Mary’s Church Hall, Sherwood Road,
St Albans, AL4 9QA
Please check the local parking restrictions. 3 hours only 24/7 at Quadrant car park
To book tickets please email mkoprow10@gmail.com
Friendships renewed – Visit to St. Albans 2022
Friends of Nevers host French visitors in October 2022
A splendid weekend was enjoyed by all who were able to participate in the visit of 11 Nivernais at the beginning of October! The sun shone on all our activities which included a fascinating tour of Middle Temple and lunch in the impressive Great Hall; an informative boat ride on the Thames; an historical guided tour of Wheathampstead followed by a copious buffet lunch at The Brocket Arms. Below are a few photos from the weekend. Members of the association joined the hosts in the activities. Our guest spent Sunday relaxing with their hosts before the an amazing farewell dinner at Lussmans.
The natural bonhomie, fortified by a 3 year absence, endured throughout the weekend and ensured the continuation of our association. That, despite Covid and Brexit difficulties, our link is as strong as ever, is a testament to the strength and importance of our twinning, for which we need your continued support. New members of all ages are always needed to ensure continuity, so please SPREAD THE WORD and encourage anyone you can think of to join us, not only in our activities in St Albans but also on our visits to Nevers.
An invitation for 2023 has been extended by the Amicale de Nevers; we are currently awaiting confirmation of dates (most likely during the first half of June) once they have assured sufficient hosts to accommodate us all.
The committee see exciting times ahead, especially with a very special anniversary in 2024, but we need you to make them happen.
Friends of Nevers 