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NEWS and EVENTS
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News from Beccles/Petit Couronne
Tickets are now on sale for the Beccles Choral Society’s French themed Le Retour Christmas concert this year. The people of Petit-Couronne have been enjoying a month-long exhibition on the history of ‘Les Quais’ in Rouen and Petit-Couronne, more photos and information on www.facebook.com/Ville-de-Petit-Couronne-108057800963459/ |
Les rendez-vous de Novembre - the latest programme of activities and excursions proposed by the Rouen Tourism Office. Regular visitors to Rouen will know that the church of St Ouen is currently undergoing major renovation works.
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An animated short film featuring Norfolk and made by a Norwich film maker will make its debut at the This is England film festival (12-21 November in Rouen). The film Norvölk by local animator and illustrator Graeme Wright-Davis, has been selected for this year’s festival.
In this darkly comic animation, Norfolk has been re-imagined as the fictional county of Norvölk, an independent state that cut itself off from the rest of the UK after a revolution in 1987. The story follows teenager Beth and her family in their heroic attempt to escape from life behind the county’s massive border wall using any means possible, including tractors, tunnels and badgers. Taking three years to complete, Norvölk is the first film made by Graeme, who wrote the script and hand-drew the images. A young Norwich actor, Megan Artherton, is the voice of the film’s main lead. Norvölk was created by TeeHee Creative Animation Agency, a bespoke animation studio based in Norwich. For further information contact: Graeme Wright-Davis, 07956 357464, g.davis@teehee.agency or Mandy Wright-Davis, 07941 464183, mandy@teehee.agency Watch the film trailer on: www.norvolk.co.uk / Instagram & Facebook: @norvolkthemovie |
Volunteer embroiders in Norfolk are producing an astonishing piece of needlework akin to the Bayeux Tapestry. When it is finished, the 18 metre long tapestry will hang in the king's bedchamber of Norwich's restored Castle keep. Designed by Fiona Gowen, it takes up the story of William the Conqueror's 1066 victory and his ideas for Norwich Castle. Nine of the 14 panels are complete and the work is the result of hours of painstaking stitching. Read about the detail and the volunteers here.
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This is England film festival is back from 12 - 21 November in Rouen. The 10th festival of short British films is organised by members of the Rouen-Norwich-Club. A shortlist of 49 films will be shown over five days: 29 features, 11 animations and 9 documentaries. School students from the Rouen region are invited to view the selection and make their own awards. A number of artistic and musical links are being explored. The jury of three can be seen on the Rouen-Norwich-Club website.
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Some members on both sides of the Channel are meeting monthly via Zoom - alternating between English and French. Future plans include a visit from Rouen to Norwich next July and from Norwich to Rouen in 2023 to coincide with the spectacular Armada - the visit of tall ships on the Seine (8 - 18 June).
Rouen Tourisme is featuring the Foire de St Romain this month, among other tempting reasons to visit the city. See it here.
Exhibition of Jean Dubuffet: Brutal Beauty is at the Barbican Art Gallery, London, from 17 May to 22 August. A review from The Guardian is here.
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Michel Bussi, lecturer in geography at the University of Rouen and crime writer extraordinaire has another book out - Rien ne t'efface. You can read an extract in French here.
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Leaving Europe by Peter Hayden is a light-hearted series of anecdotes from Europe on the occasion of our divergence. There is a section on town twinning. You can obtain a copy for £5 from Peter. Email him for details.
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Brexit - what it means for UK citizens going to EU countries
Some changes affecting UK travellers to EU countries will take place from 1 January 2021 - here's a breakdown
Some changes affecting UK travellers to EU countries will take place from 1 January 2021 - here's a breakdown
Climate change - five years of the Paris agreement
On 12 December the French Embassy and the French Institute presented From COP21 to COP26: Why Failure is Not an Option, on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the Paris Agreement signed at COP21 in December 2015.
This online event featured an address by HRH the Prince of Wales and a panel discussion with distinguished guests, including Laurent Fabius, President of the French Constitutional Council and President of COP21, and Anne-Marie Trevelyan, UK’s International Champion on Adaptation and Resilience for the COP26 Presidency. The event looked back at how the COP21 was a landmark in the fight against climate change, while looking ahead to what COP26 ought to achieve. See here for a video of the day's event.
On 12 December the French Embassy and the French Institute presented From COP21 to COP26: Why Failure is Not an Option, on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the Paris Agreement signed at COP21 in December 2015.
This online event featured an address by HRH the Prince of Wales and a panel discussion with distinguished guests, including Laurent Fabius, President of the French Constitutional Council and President of COP21, and Anne-Marie Trevelyan, UK’s International Champion on Adaptation and Resilience for the COP26 Presidency. The event looked back at how the COP21 was a landmark in the fight against climate change, while looking ahead to what COP26 ought to achieve. See here for a video of the day's event.
The latest Rouen magazine is here - read it as a flip!
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In Rouen, L'aître Saint-Maclou, ancient cemetery, ossuary, and School for Fine Arts, reopened to the public in July 2020 after two years of restoration work. This is a must-see for visitors to Rouen.
(The photos were taken before restoration work - click on one for a larger view) In January a ministerial decree is granting Rouen official accreditation of being a 'station de tourisme'! This will add to its appeal as a tourist centre. |
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Ensemble Variances is an ensemble based in Rouen and led by composer and pianist Thierry Pécou. Marion Catlin of CultureShift in Norwich is exploring the possibility of bringing them to Norfolk next year. See her website: www.theshiftnorwich.org.uk |
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In Rouen recently: an exhibition of cartoons showing French views of the English and English views of the French! www.rouen-norwich-club.com/les-francais-vus-par-les-britanniques-les-britanniques-vus-par-les-francais/
We hope to bring this exhibition to Norwich - once Covid is no longer a threat..... |
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Epiphany January 2020 - Les Trois rois
To celebrate Epiphany in French style in Norwich, NNRFA members recently met in a village hall to enjoy 'traditional' home-made galettes. These are made with ground almonds, butter, eggs and sugar mixed together in a puff pastry 'pie'. In each a small 'fève' is hidden and whoever finds it is the 'king' of the table. Easy to make, there is a good French recipe here. |
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This is England 2019, 16 - 24 November in Rouen.
This is England is a festival of British-made short films and organised by members of the Rouen-Norwich-Club. This year is the 8th festival and it's now well-known across France. Some ten thousand students from lycées and collèges in the region are invited and will see the thirty-two short-listed films shown over a week in a Rouen cinema. You can read about the winning films here and see the programme. At the invitation of the City of Rouen, some representatives of Norwich arts organisations were invited to explore setting up links and exchanges with Norwich. There'll be a report here soon but do read this blog by one of the delegation from Norwich, Carrie Mansfield of The Garage. |
Another event to mark the 60th anniversary of the twinning between Rouen and Norwich:
Photographer Stefan Ebelewicz, originally from Norwich, recently had an exhibition of his photos of Rouen and Norwich at the city hall in Rouen. Stefan has an unusual take on apparently mundane scenes. Some of his photos are in the exhibition, Norwich in '59, at the Museum of Norwich. An account of the week is here. |
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Our cities rebrand themselves!
Norwich is now the 'City of Stories' and Rouen has a new colourful image - Rouen je t'aime! |
Going to Rouen? Don't forget to check out the calender of events (and there's lots on including British contemporary art from the Pinault collection at the Musée des Beaux Arts). See https://en.rouentourisme.com/agenda/
(and don't forget to see what's on in Norwich too - lots coming up this autumn and winter: https://www.visitnorwich.co.uk/
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Following the visit of members of the Rouen-Norwich-Club to Norwich in July 2019, this article appeared in the newspaper Paris-Normandie. Nathalie Le-Gendre, Vice-President of the RNC, (seen here second from left) is keen to set up cultural links and exchanges with Norwich, and a meeting with representatives of Norwich's rich cultural scene was held during their visit at the Museum of Norwich at the invitation of Jenny Caynes, the Curator. Rouen invited representatives to Rouen during the This is England film festival.
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Rouen-Norwich-Club visit Norwich, 2019
30 members of the Rouen-Norwich-Club came to Norwich on Friday 5 July for a four-day visit. Twenty of them had not been to Norwich before. Six stayed in a hotel and the rest were hosted by NNRFA members. The programme included a visit to the twinning garden at All Saints Church Westlegate, Ranworth Broad church and conservation centre, a day to Blakeney for a seal trip and fish and chips, and opportunities to see Norwich and meet members of the NNRFA at various very convivial social events in members' gardens. Despite the late arrival of the coach from Rouen, a few managed to make the launch of Norwich in '59 exhibition at the Museum of Norwich where welcoming speeches were made by the Sheriff of Norwich (Dr Alison Prinsley) and the Director of Museums in English and in French. Four members also met the Lord Mayor on Saturday and joined him in the Lord Mayor's procession. All in all, the 60th anniversary of the Rouen-Norwich twinning has been well celebrated in both cities and there was a very real sense that this twinning will continue, with enthusiasm and ideas coming from both sides. Vive le jumelage!
30 members of the Rouen-Norwich-Club came to Norwich on Friday 5 July for a four-day visit. Twenty of them had not been to Norwich before. Six stayed in a hotel and the rest were hosted by NNRFA members. The programme included a visit to the twinning garden at All Saints Church Westlegate, Ranworth Broad church and conservation centre, a day to Blakeney for a seal trip and fish and chips, and opportunities to see Norwich and meet members of the NNRFA at various very convivial social events in members' gardens. Despite the late arrival of the coach from Rouen, a few managed to make the launch of Norwich in '59 exhibition at the Museum of Norwich where welcoming speeches were made by the Sheriff of Norwich (Dr Alison Prinsley) and the Director of Museums in English and in French. Four members also met the Lord Mayor on Saturday and joined him in the Lord Mayor's procession. All in all, the 60th anniversary of the Rouen-Norwich twinning has been well celebrated in both cities and there was a very real sense that this twinning will continue, with enthusiasm and ideas coming from both sides. Vive le jumelage!
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Norwich twinning garden
A twinning garden has been created in the churchyard of All Saints Westlegate (opposite John Lewis) in honour of Norwich's four twin cities. The sculpture was originally designed for the Federal Garden Show in Koblenz in 2011. The planting (better seen in the photos in the gallery) is around a lovely wooden larch door in a contemporary style with stained glass panels - a real asset to Norwich's public sculpture: www.edp24.co.uk/news/politics/norwich-twinning-garden-first-touches-1-6110177 |
Norwich on the radio in France
Here's a radio show broadcast on 3 May on French radio station, RCF: www.rouen-norwich-club.com/a-la-decouverte-des-liens-entre-norwich-et-rouen/ You can hear Martine Commessie, Christophe Thierry and Nathalie Le Gendre of the Rouen-Norwich-Club talking about Norwich, the origin of the twinning and This is England festival!
Here's a radio show broadcast on 3 May on French radio station, RCF: www.rouen-norwich-club.com/a-la-decouverte-des-liens-entre-norwich-et-rouen/ You can hear Martine Commessie, Christophe Thierry and Nathalie Le Gendre of the Rouen-Norwich-Club talking about Norwich, the origin of the twinning and This is England festival!
NNRFA Chairman, Chris Rowe, presents M. Yvon Robert, Mayor of Rouen, with an engraved glass vase by Alan Hislop, the Norwich glass engraver
Visit to Rouen, 7 - 11 June 2019
26 members took the trip to Rouen in this our 60th anniversary year. The dates were chosen to coincide with the Armada. Some members stayed with hosts and some in a hotel. On Saturday morning there was a guided tour of historical Rouen. This was appreciated by the members for whom it was their first time. After lunch a visit to the Northmaen Brewery in La Chapelle Saint-Ouen. We were greeted by the owner Dominique Camus “Leo” for a guided tour and tasting of the beers and whiskeys. Some of us purchased a special ale to bring away with us.
On Sunday there was a day excursion to Giverny village, the art gallery and Monet's garden. After lunch at a family-run establishment, Les Nymphéas, we assembled for a visit to Monet’s garden. The famous gardens were especially colourful.
Monday: Armada Day! At 9 am we were invited to take breakfast at the City of Rouen marquee. We met the Maire, M. Yvon Robert and Bruno Bertheuil, Deputy Maire for International Relations and the Armada! We then made our way for what seemed miles to embark on the cruise boat, Lutéce – Belle de Rouen, for a trip on the Seine to see the tall sailing ships from the river. Plenty of time for those with energy to explore the ships moored alongside the quais. At 7 pm, it was cocktail time at the City of Rouen marquee - an enjoyable evening re-acquainting ourselves with our friends.
All agreed that it was a very good visit and Norwich-Rouen ties reinforced! You can see photos of the reception at Rouen-Norwich-Club.
26 members took the trip to Rouen in this our 60th anniversary year. The dates were chosen to coincide with the Armada. Some members stayed with hosts and some in a hotel. On Saturday morning there was a guided tour of historical Rouen. This was appreciated by the members for whom it was their first time. After lunch a visit to the Northmaen Brewery in La Chapelle Saint-Ouen. We were greeted by the owner Dominique Camus “Leo” for a guided tour and tasting of the beers and whiskeys. Some of us purchased a special ale to bring away with us.
On Sunday there was a day excursion to Giverny village, the art gallery and Monet's garden. After lunch at a family-run establishment, Les Nymphéas, we assembled for a visit to Monet’s garden. The famous gardens were especially colourful.
Monday: Armada Day! At 9 am we were invited to take breakfast at the City of Rouen marquee. We met the Maire, M. Yvon Robert and Bruno Bertheuil, Deputy Maire for International Relations and the Armada! We then made our way for what seemed miles to embark on the cruise boat, Lutéce – Belle de Rouen, for a trip on the Seine to see the tall sailing ships from the river. Plenty of time for those with energy to explore the ships moored alongside the quais. At 7 pm, it was cocktail time at the City of Rouen marquee - an enjoyable evening re-acquainting ourselves with our friends.
All agreed that it was a very good visit and Norwich-Rouen ties reinforced! You can see photos of the reception at Rouen-Norwich-Club.
Normandy beer arrives at the City of Ale Festival
Eastern Daily Press covers the voyage of beer by boat from Rouen - see here and here.
Eastern Daily Press covers the voyage of beer by boat from Rouen - see here and here.
Pétanque in Eaton Park, Norwich
Norwich's new pétanque terrain in Eaton Park was inaugurated by the Lord Mayor Martin Schmierer last September - see article in the Eastern Evening News. There are three pistes, so plenty of room for competition. Boules are available from the café for a deposit of £10 or you can take your own. The terrain is near the tennis courts and ping-pong tables.
Norwich's new pétanque terrain in Eaton Park was inaugurated by the Lord Mayor Martin Schmierer last September - see article in the Eastern Evening News. There are three pistes, so plenty of room for competition. Boules are available from the café for a deposit of £10 or you can take your own. The terrain is near the tennis courts and ping-pong tables.
Amitié IPA
Norfolk Brewhouse's new brew, Amitié IPA, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of our twinning in 2019, was launched at the Norwich City of Ale festival in 2018 with the 'twin' brewers from Normandy present. Here's an article about it by beer writer Roger Prozt: http://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/05/28/viking-beer-cements-norfolk-rouen-link
Norfolk Brewhouse's new brew, Amitié IPA, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of our twinning in 2019, was launched at the Norwich City of Ale festival in 2018 with the 'twin' brewers from Normandy present. Here's an article about it by beer writer Roger Prozt: http://protzonbeer.co.uk/features/2018/05/28/viking-beer-cements-norfolk-rouen-link
Chris Rowe (left) and Ann Rowe (centre) meet brewers from The Norfolk Brewhouse and the Northmaen Brewery in Normandy
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A tale of two ales
A special beer has been brewed by The Norfolk Brewhouse in collaboration with Northmaen Brewery near Rouen. The new beer is the brainchild of David Holliday of The Norfolk Brewhouse who explains: “The City of Ale Festival is always a great celebration of Norfolk breweries and Norwich pubs. The twinning with cities is also important to Norwich and I felt that creating a beer which could complement the strengths of both regions would be a fitting tribute.” Rouen is home to a craft beer pub – La Taverne de Thor which is owned by Northmaen Brewery – a farm and brewery 20 miles from Rouen. “The fact that we found not only a brewery with a city and county base was fantastic but to then learn that they grow their own barley was the icing on the cake. We are such advocates of Norfolk Maris Otter barley that to find someone who was equally proud of their malt was just fabulous.” said David. As part of the planning to ‘twin’ the two malts, Thomas Renaux and Dominique Camus of Northmaen Brewery came to Norwich to create the recipe and bring over a sample of their grain in order that a test brew can be created by The Norfolk Brewhouse. Thomas is excited and proud to be presenting a taste of France at the Festival. |