|
Norfolk & Norwich Rouen Friendship Association |
|
NEWS and EVENTS
COMING UP...
Image by David Wood. CC BY-NC 2.0 DEED
NNRFA ANNUAL DINNER
Date: Thursday 16 November 2023
Time: 6.45 for a 7.15pm start
Venue: Wensum Valley Hotel, Golf and Country Club, Beech Avenue. Taverham, Norwich, NR8 6HP
Cost: £27 per person
See further details in email from Bert on 29 October 2023. Please respond asap with your menu choices.
Date: Thursday 16 November 2023
Time: 6.45 for a 7.15pm start
Venue: Wensum Valley Hotel, Golf and Country Club, Beech Avenue. Taverham, Norwich, NR8 6HP
Cost: £27 per person
See further details in email from Bert on 29 October 2023. Please respond asap with your menu choices.
Keep the date for:
If you are visiting our page, and would like to join the NNRFA and share in these events, it's easy to join the association!
We'd love to say Bienvenue!
- Saturday 6 January 2024: Galette des rois - family event
If you are visiting our page, and would like to join the NNRFA and share in these events, it's easy to join the association!
We'd love to say Bienvenue!
AND LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD...
WHAT'S IN THE POT ...
Fête de la musique in Norwich (possible dates: 21/22 Jun 2024): toga
RECENT EVENTS...
A journey through French cinema
"France produces some of the most original and vibrant cinema in the world!
From moody film noir, through dramas, to quirky romances and comedies, French cinema has it all." (Prof. Bob Peckitt)
Bob has lectured on the history of cinema extensively, and his presentations are always engaging and fun. He delighted us with a great presentation on French cinema, starting in the 19th century with the likes of the Lumière Brothers, Gaumont, and the Pathé Brothers, and sweeping through the 20th century up to the 50s and 60s. It captivated an audience very familiar with some of the films and the actors.
St Anne’s Church Hall was full and we met new people interested in joining our association. The Social Committee who organised the event had provided a lovely spread of cheese and wine. A very enjoyable evening.
Isabelle Savage
NNRFA Vice Chair
"France produces some of the most original and vibrant cinema in the world!
From moody film noir, through dramas, to quirky romances and comedies, French cinema has it all." (Prof. Bob Peckitt)
Bob has lectured on the history of cinema extensively, and his presentations are always engaging and fun. He delighted us with a great presentation on French cinema, starting in the 19th century with the likes of the Lumière Brothers, Gaumont, and the Pathé Brothers, and sweeping through the 20th century up to the 50s and 60s. It captivated an audience very familiar with some of the films and the actors.
St Anne’s Church Hall was full and we met new people interested in joining our association. The Social Committee who organised the event had provided a lovely spread of cheese and wine. A very enjoyable evening.
Isabelle Savage
NNRFA Vice Chair
The Christine Wilson pétanque picnic: Saturday 19 August
The Christine Wilson Pétanque Picnic was much enjoyed. Photo Tricia Edwards.
Our first Pétanque Picnic was well attended. Sixteen people turned up on a lovely sunny day with temperatures in the mid-20s. Perfect. It added to our pleasure that John, Christine’s partner, joined us. It emerged that he had had a lot to do with the setting up of the pétanque facilities in Eaton Park himself.
The terrain is in a lovely environment and we were able to take advantage of the shade from the trees and a couple of park benches as well as our own chairs and rugs. Of course, the company was all-important and it was a great social event with people beginning and renewing acquaintances.
Not all had tossed a boule before and some were rather more experienced than others but we enjoyed ourselves, some sticking to the conventions of the game and others just doing their own thing. In spite of our surrounding the terrain with Normandy flags and a row of Rouen bunting on display, no one came and asked us who we were, so it didn’t turn out to be much of a recruiting drive. A little bit off the beaten track to attract much attention, perhaps.
Picnics ranged from the definitely stylish – Drummond and May’s tartan picnic rug, classy picnic basket and a bottle of bubbly served in elegant glasses – to sandwiches wrapped in foil with a packet of crisps. A couple of people decided to eat at the café, which has a great lunchtime menu. The café was also used by most of us for hot and cold drinks – a great asset. The event wound up at about 3 o’clock.
We agreed it was a successful venture and well worth repeating next year.
Report by Tricia Edwards (Events Sub-Committee)
The terrain is in a lovely environment and we were able to take advantage of the shade from the trees and a couple of park benches as well as our own chairs and rugs. Of course, the company was all-important and it was a great social event with people beginning and renewing acquaintances.
Not all had tossed a boule before and some were rather more experienced than others but we enjoyed ourselves, some sticking to the conventions of the game and others just doing their own thing. In spite of our surrounding the terrain with Normandy flags and a row of Rouen bunting on display, no one came and asked us who we were, so it didn’t turn out to be much of a recruiting drive. A little bit off the beaten track to attract much attention, perhaps.
Picnics ranged from the definitely stylish – Drummond and May’s tartan picnic rug, classy picnic basket and a bottle of bubbly served in elegant glasses – to sandwiches wrapped in foil with a packet of crisps. A couple of people decided to eat at the café, which has a great lunchtime menu. The café was also used by most of us for hot and cold drinks – a great asset. The event wound up at about 3 o’clock.
We agreed it was a successful venture and well worth repeating next year.
Report by Tricia Edwards (Events Sub-Committee)
Le quatorze juillet – en pluie!
British spirit was in evidence, and the celebrations went ahead, courtesy of Beryl's kind hospitality, in spite of the rather English (very wet!) weather. A good time was had by all!
NNRFA trip to Rouen: June 2023
RNC and NNRFA on the quayside in Rouen. Photo credit RNC.
A tale of two mayors and some tall ships
Rouen is competing to be nominated European Capital of Culture in 2028. During our recent visit to Rouen, we witnessed the signing of a renewed memorandum by the mayors of the two cities. The document renews and boosts the links between the two cities.
The mayor of Rouen, Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, with a twinkle in his eye, began his speech (in English) by welcoming visitors from ‘Normandy’s colony’ across the Channel. Relations thawed extremely quickly, however, as he expressed his gratitude for the warm support expressed (in French) by James Wright, Lord Mayor of Norwich, for Rouen’s 2028 bid. Representatives were also present from some of Rouen’s other international links in China (Nogbo), Germany (Hanover) and Norway (Bergen). Gifts were exchanged between Norwich, Unesco City of Literature, and Rouen, Unesco City of Gastronomy. We had hit the jackpot.
Rouen is competing to be nominated European Capital of Culture in 2028. During our recent visit to Rouen, we witnessed the signing of a renewed memorandum by the mayors of the two cities. The document renews and boosts the links between the two cities.
The mayor of Rouen, Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, with a twinkle in his eye, began his speech (in English) by welcoming visitors from ‘Normandy’s colony’ across the Channel. Relations thawed extremely quickly, however, as he expressed his gratitude for the warm support expressed (in French) by James Wright, Lord Mayor of Norwich, for Rouen’s 2028 bid. Representatives were also present from some of Rouen’s other international links in China (Nogbo), Germany (Hanover) and Norway (Bergen). Gifts were exchanged between Norwich, Unesco City of Literature, and Rouen, Unesco City of Gastronomy. We had hit the jackpot.
The Armada tall ships festival
Rouen was en fête, and the sun shone down – almost too enthusiastically. Tall ships had gathered the previous week for the 2023 Armada tall ships festival. After a petit déjeuner of coffee and pastries offered by the mayor, Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, we were invited to take a boat trip around the harbour to view ships assembled from France, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Portugal, and from as far as Poland, Indonesia, Uruguay and Mexico. Several were replicas of famous ships of the past, including the Nao Victoria, the first ship to sail around the world with Magellan’s expedition in the early 16th century, and the Shtandart, a replica of the ship built in 1703 for the admiral of Peter the Great.
We had arrived the previous evening to a warm welcome from our hosts, members of the Rouen Norwich Club (RNC), organised by Chantal Féron and Jacqueline Allanic. Old friendships were renewed, and new ones created. The link between Norwich and Rouen goes back more than 60 years and has been well nurtured. As well as the links of friendship created during twinning visits, partnerships have developed in other areas too. Norwich’s The Garage performing arts group have visited, most recently in 2021. They were able to see films shown in the context of Rouen’s This is England festival of short films in English, established by RNC members and now a thriving annual festival under the leadership of Christophe Thierry.
Local visits
Some of the Norwich visitors braved the almost crushing heat and ventured into Rouen for a guided tour by Serge van den Brouke, a historian of Anglo-Norman relations. After passing under the rare representation of Salome standing on her hands in the dance of the seven veils, in the cathedral we saw the grave in which was buried the heart of Richard the Lion-Heart, and that of his brother, Henry the Young King, who was crowned too early by his father, Henry II of England, since he died before his father and left the throne to Richard.
Nearby, in the maze of picturesque narrow streets lined with record-breaking numbers of listed houses, was the huge episcopal palace in which Joan of Arc was tried, and the unusual Aître de Saint-Maclou, a medieval ossuary dating from the time of the Black Death, its well weathered timbering carved to depict its purpose.
Some of the Norwich visitors braved the almost crushing heat and ventured into Rouen for a guided tour by Serge van den Brouke, a historian of Anglo-Norman relations. After passing under the rare representation of Salome standing on her hands in the dance of the seven veils, in the cathedral we saw the grave in which was buried the heart of Richard the Lion-Heart, and that of his brother, Henry the Young King, who was crowned too early by his father, Henry II of England, since he died before his father and left the throne to Richard.
Nearby, in the maze of picturesque narrow streets lined with record-breaking numbers of listed houses, was the huge episcopal palace in which Joan of Arc was tried, and the unusual Aître de Saint-Maclou, a medieval ossuary dating from the time of the Black Death, its well weathered timbering carved to depict its purpose.
 Photo credit SJP
Rouen is working towards net zero
After the tour, abbreviated because of the stifling heat, the group was glad to travel home on the buses – free that day because of the pic de pollution. A fellow bus passenger informed us that this measure, first introduced over a year ago, has successfully reduced traffic on days of high pollution levels. Public transport is always free on Saturdays, to persuade shoppers to leave their cars at home – a popular move, and passengers are keen, she says, to see free travel introduced on Wednesdays also. Some of us ventured back into the city in the evening, and were rewarded by seeing the fabulous son-et-lumière at the cathedral (filmed here by Margaret Young). |
|
Photo credit RNC
Celebrations all round
The following day the group travelled to the fishing town of Fécamp, now largely focused on leisure sailing. The day included a visit to the Palais Bénédictine, where the famous liqueur is made. We were offered the opportunity to sample the Bénédictine and were most happy to oblige. The planned visit to the abbey proved impossible, as two successive wedding parties processed out of the Mairie, housed in a building formerly part of the abbey complex, around to the west door. The wedding march and the abbey bells rang out as a procession of historic cars also passed noisily by.
The following day the group travelled to the fishing town of Fécamp, now largely focused on leisure sailing. The day included a visit to the Palais Bénédictine, where the famous liqueur is made. We were offered the opportunity to sample the Bénédictine and were most happy to oblige. The planned visit to the abbey proved impossible, as two successive wedding parties processed out of the Mairie, housed in a building formerly part of the abbey complex, around to the west door. The wedding march and the abbey bells rang out as a procession of historic cars also passed noisily by.
A splendid send-off
For the finale of the Armada, the spectacular Pont Flaubert was raised to allow the ships to process out down the Seine in the final grande parade, past cheering crowds and under a salute by the Patrouille de France with their tricolor flares.
For the finale of the Armada, the spectacular Pont Flaubert was raised to allow the ships to process out down the Seine in the final grande parade, past cheering crowds and under a salute by the Patrouille de France with their tricolor flares.
The garden party at Montigny following the grande parade the was a most enjoyable event, with local food and drink, speeches and thank yous all round. The final farewells the following morning as the British coach departed were merely au revoir, after a visit replete with interest and warmth (of both kinds). Rouen organisers Chantal and Jacqueline have set a high bar for Norwich in 2024, and we are looking forward to welcoming our friends once again.
This report is based on an article that appeared in East Anglia Bylines on 28 June 2023.
Cycling from Norwich to Rouen at the end of May
Our friends in Rouen are looking forward to welcoming four Norwich School teachers who are cycling from Norwich to Rouen between 31 May and 3 June. They introduce themselves on the Rouen Norwich Club website.
Our friends in Rouen are looking forward to welcoming four Norwich School teachers who are cycling from Norwich to Rouen between 31 May and 3 June. They introduce themselves on the Rouen Norwich Club website.
This is England: English-language short film short festival 2023
In Rouen, submissions are being invited for the 12th 'This is England' festival of English short films. You can sample a few of the 49 short films featured in the 2022 festival here.
In Rouen, submissions are being invited for the 12th 'This is England' festival of English short films. You can sample a few of the 49 short films featured in the 2022 festival here.
PAST EVENTS:
Maison Française d'Oxford
26 January - 11 March
This exhibition of more than 60 drawings was initiated and curated by Olivier Auvray in Rouen and follows a similar exhibition of cartoons of the French as seen by the British and the British as seen by the French. Olivier has known Steve Bell for more than 20 years and has organised exhibitions of his cartoons in Rouen. We would like to bring the exhibition in Oxford to Norwich so any offers of venue are welcome!
26 January - 11 March
This exhibition of more than 60 drawings was initiated and curated by Olivier Auvray in Rouen and follows a similar exhibition of cartoons of the French as seen by the British and the British as seen by the French. Olivier has known Steve Bell for more than 20 years and has organised exhibitions of his cartoons in Rouen. We would like to bring the exhibition in Oxford to Norwich so any offers of venue are welcome!
Visit to Battle - report from Chris Rowe of the NNRFA committee
In October Ann and I visited Battle to watch the re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings. We were welcomed by members of the Battle Souvenir Normand. We were given VIP entrance passes to the Battle site (an English Heritage property) and spent the Saturday watching cavalry charges and skirmishes on the battlefield, we met two handsome French knights, complete with genuine haircuts!
There was lots to see, Battle Abbey, St Mary's Church and the site where Harold fell. There was an unveiling of a monument to record the meeting of the Battle twinning association, with its French counterparts. Everyone participating wore genuine reproductions of the clothing, armour and weapons. Souvenir Normand hope that our French friends would be able to stopover in Battle to meet their group and see the sites.
In October Ann and I visited Battle to watch the re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings. We were welcomed by members of the Battle Souvenir Normand. We were given VIP entrance passes to the Battle site (an English Heritage property) and spent the Saturday watching cavalry charges and skirmishes on the battlefield, we met two handsome French knights, complete with genuine haircuts!
There was lots to see, Battle Abbey, St Mary's Church and the site where Harold fell. There was an unveiling of a monument to record the meeting of the Battle twinning association, with its French counterparts. Everyone participating wore genuine reproductions of the clothing, armour and weapons. Souvenir Normand hope that our French friends would be able to stopover in Battle to meet their group and see the sites.
|
Rouen, already a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, is bidding to be a European Capital of Culture in 2028. This accolade is designed to highlight the richness and diversity of cultures in Europe, celebrate the cultural features Europeans share, and promote the contribution of culture to a city's development. It will promote and implement projects that transform the city, its surroundings and its image for the future. The bid goes to the EU in November and a decision made known in late 2023. Culture is vital to forging lasting bonds, and Rouen seeks to build long-term partnerships with cities that share its values and challenges. Norwich is one of six European cities in the bid along with Hanover, Kaunas, Aveiro, Skopje, and Trondheim.
A press release from CultureShift Norwich with more information is here. Read more at www.rouen2028.eu |
Visit from Rouen
30 members of the Rouen-Norwich-Club, hosted by NNRFA members, were in Norwich from 7 to 11 July 2022. The programme included an excursion to Great Yarmouth, a visit to the Great Hospital or a guided tour of Norwich, and Blickling Hall and Cromer. Members of both associations met up socially and most visitors were hosted by NNRFA members. Among the group were representatives of Rouen's city hall who met representatives of Norwich's arts and cultural organisations and toured parts of Norfolk to discuss potential links for Rouen's European Capital of Culture 2028 bid. Photos from the Rouen Norwich-Club are here.
30 members of the Rouen-Norwich-Club, hosted by NNRFA members, were in Norwich from 7 to 11 July 2022. The programme included an excursion to Great Yarmouth, a visit to the Great Hospital or a guided tour of Norwich, and Blickling Hall and Cromer. Members of both associations met up socially and most visitors were hosted by NNRFA members. Among the group were representatives of Rouen's city hall who met representatives of Norwich's arts and cultural organisations and toured parts of Norfolk to discuss potential links for Rouen's European Capital of Culture 2028 bid. Photos from the Rouen Norwich-Club are here.
Joan of Arc festival in Rouen, 20–29 May
This spectacular ten days with exhibitions, performances, processions, concerts and demonstrations of ironwork, calligraphy, weaving, pottery, stone-carving and woodwork.
More about it here.
Food tour from Normandy !
Normandy came to Norwich on Sunday 1 May in Chapelfield Gardens. Hundreds of people enjoyed demonstrations and samplings of the best Normandy recipes and tastings of Norman cheese like Mimolette and Pont l'Evêque. Famous drinks from the region like cider, beer and Calvados were also on offer to taste and to buy. The afternoon ended with a performance of The Hackers, a French band whose equipment is run on solar power. The tour also took in Hastings, Windsor, and Canterbury. In Hastings the Souvenir Normand group gave it a very warm welcome! Souvenir Normand has links with many countries with connections to Normandy. Read the report on the food tour's visit to all four cities!
Normandy came to Norwich on Sunday 1 May in Chapelfield Gardens. Hundreds of people enjoyed demonstrations and samplings of the best Normandy recipes and tastings of Norman cheese like Mimolette and Pont l'Evêque. Famous drinks from the region like cider, beer and Calvados were also on offer to taste and to buy. The afternoon ended with a performance of The Hackers, a French band whose equipment is run on solar power. The tour also took in Hastings, Windsor, and Canterbury. In Hastings the Souvenir Normand group gave it a very warm welcome! Souvenir Normand has links with many countries with connections to Normandy. Read the report on the food tour's visit to all four cities!
New twinning initiative - bridge!
Norwich's Noverre Bridge Club played Bridge Club Mont St Aignan in Rouen in January. Nine teams of four from Rouen played against nine teams of four from Norwich. They play on a system called Realbridge, with this they can see and hear their opponents rather like Zoom but with the bidding and hands visible at the same time. The result is scored automatically by computer. It is the nearest thing to Face-to-Face Bridge and thanks to the internet players can be anywhere in the world. The Noverre Club website is www.bridgewebs.com/noverre and for Rouen www.bridgeclubmsa.com/ Further information from David Ellis, 01603 464061.
Norwich's Noverre Bridge Club played Bridge Club Mont St Aignan in Rouen in January. Nine teams of four from Rouen played against nine teams of four from Norwich. They play on a system called Realbridge, with this they can see and hear their opponents rather like Zoom but with the bidding and hands visible at the same time. The result is scored automatically by computer. It is the nearest thing to Face-to-Face Bridge and thanks to the internet players can be anywhere in the world. The Noverre Club website is www.bridgewebs.com/noverre and for Rouen www.bridgeclubmsa.com/ Further information from David Ellis, 01603 464061.
New links between The Garage in Norwich and Safran Collectif theatre company in Rouen
Three students on the HNC Programme in Performing Arts at Norwich's The Garage visited Rouen during the 2021 This is England film festival. They wrote up their experiences here and gave an informal performance about their visit. A return visit to Norwich from Le Saffran Collectif theatre company is planned for October 2022.
Three students on the HNC Programme in Performing Arts at Norwich's The Garage visited Rouen during the 2021 This is England film festival. They wrote up their experiences here and gave an informal performance about their visit. A return visit to Norwich from Le Saffran Collectif theatre company is planned for October 2022.
Winter in Rouen
See the latest events and news from Rouen - you can flip through the pages of December's magazine - Rouen givrée
See the latest events and news from Rouen - you can flip through the pages of December's magazine - Rouen givrée
The latest book by Michel Bussi is an intriguing enquiry into the death of St Exupéry, author of Le Petit Prince. Michel Bussi is a prolific writer of thrillers. He is a political analyst and professor of geography at the University of Rouen, where he leads a public scientific and technical research establishment in the French National Centre for Scientific Research.
The short film Norvölk, by local animator and illustrator Graeme Wright-Davis, was selected for the 2021 This is England 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.
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
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.
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 embroiderers 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.
|
|
2019 - 60 years of twinning between Norwich and Rouen !
NNRFA and Rouen-Norwich-Club members were able to visit each other in this 60th anniversary year. Among other events was the This is England, 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. 2019 was the 8th festival which is well-known across France. Some ten thousand students from lycées and collèges in the region are invited to 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. Here's a blog by one of the delegation from Norwich, Carrie Mansfield of The Garage. |
Another event marked the 60th anniversary :
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. |
|
|
Our cities rebrand themselves!
Norwich is now the 'City of Stories' and Rouen has a new colourful image - Rouen je t'aime! |
|
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.
|
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!
|
|
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. |
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 with lunch at a family-run establishment, Les Nymphéas.
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 to the 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. The day concluded with cocktails at the City of Rouen marquee. 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 with lunch at a family-run establishment, Les Nymphéas.
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 to the 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. The day concluded with cocktails at the City of Rouen marquee. You can see photos of the reception at Rouen-Norwich-Club.
Normandy beer arrives at the City of Ale Festival
Norfolk Brewhouse's new brew, Amitié IPA, to celebrate 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. Eastern Daily Press covers the voyage of beer by boat from Rouen - see here and here.
Norfolk Brewhouse's new brew, Amitié IPA, to celebrate 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. Eastern Daily Press covers the voyage of beer by boat from Rouen - see here and here.
Chris (left) and Ann Rowe (centre) meet brewers from The Norfolk Brewhouse and the Northmaen Brewery in Normandy
|
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. |