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.
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.
Our Trip to Nevers 2019
We travelled by Eurostar and TGV as in previous years – an opportunity to get to know other members during the journey. Heavy traffic as always crossing Paris, but our 2 cheerful taxi drivers made a pleasant and speedier diversion via Place des Vosges to Gare de Bercy. Four chose the faster metro instead.
On arriving in Nevers, our hosts met us on the platform and whisked us homewards to wash off the dust, before joining up again an hour or so later for a delicious 5-course gourmet dinner in a timber-beamed restaurant out in the countryside.
We were 18 this year. For 5, it was a first visit and they were successfully matched with their hosts, and here are some of their comments: “The first surprise was just how welcoming our French friends were; not only when they greeted us warmly at the station but every time we gathered for coach trips, and on our departure.” “Although I recounted my previous traveller’s tales fairly inadequately, we all laughed a lot.”
Friday was a free day spent with hosts: we heard tales of a cycle ride to the vineyards, time spent in the beautiful gardens at Aprémont, exploring the historic centre of Nevers, a visit to the costume museum at Moulins, and lazy walks along the banks of the Loire.
On the Saturday morning we had an interesting guided visit of the massive Chateau de Saint-Fargeau, dating from the 15th century with later additions; we had time to explore the maze of small passages and rooms on the lower floors, and to see the wonderful toy collection.
Then to the castle of Guédelon, a project begun by the current owner of Chateau de Saint-Fargeau. Guédelon is being constructed using medieval tools, materials and methods. We saw the progress made since our visit several years ago, and plenty of continuing activity. “Guédelon was very interesting, particularly watching the craftsmen at their work. The rope maker was a real character who enjoyed involving and teasing the young people which was fun for all.”
After a free Sunday morning, a completely different experience awaited us in Street Art City (just outside Lurcy-Lévis). The drab buildings of an abandoned Telecom training site are transformed inside and out by vibrant murals, graffitti, portraits – think Banksy on a grand scale. A privately-run, non-profit enterprise, artists from all over the world come here to experiment and display their work. It’s certainly a talking point and a hive of creativity.
Our stay in Nevers came to a close the following morning, as we awaited the train back to Paris, and the invitation was extended to the Amicale to visit us in St Albans next year.
To conclude: other quotes from newer members of the FoN, “I look forward to hosting next year and visiting Nevers again in 2021.” “An active long weekend, full of new impressions and newly forged friendships. Unforgettable experience”
Friends of Nevers 