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French Fun
(3
November 2004)
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The French visit at the weekend just got
better and better. The French having arrived on Friday night went and
had dinner with their hosts who were dotted around Cookham. The
following morning they all met at the Stanley Spencer Gallery along with
the photographer from the Maidenhead Advertiser. This was the last
weekend of the Summer Exhibition which was celebrating the bi-centennial
of the Royal Horticultural Society, which meant they were able to see
some of Spencer's wonderful flower paintings. Dick Hurley, Chairman of
the Gallery, gave an introduction to everyone in French, which was much
appreciated.
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Dick
Hurley
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Then half the group went for a walk round
Cookham led by Molly Hurley who showed the visitors the sites of some of
Spencer's paintings at Odney, the Ferry and Holy Trinity. Dick
decided that it was easier to speak in English, however he had some
willing translaters on hand.
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Timmy
Mallett and Michael Cameron-Wood 'listen' to the Spencer talk
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It was then off to lunch at Spencers, with a
stroll up the High Street.
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Bon
Appetit!
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There was a certain amount of chaos as
everyone could choose from Spencer's extensive menu, some people had
already decided what they were having at the Gallery and then
immediately forgot what they had ordered when they actually got to
Spencers. So some had soup after the main course and others had more
than they had ordered, but it was bonhommie all around.
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Dominique,
Mayor of St Benoit, at Spencers
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Saturday afternoon was free, so hosts
showed their visitors Cookham with bike rides and some went further
afield to Oxford and the Chilterns.
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The
Bysshes relax over tea at Cliveden with their visitor Francine
Raphel
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Sunday morning everyone gathered at
Cookham station for a trip to London. Another little panic when it
was found that the train times had changed due to work on the tracks.
However everyone got to Paddington and managed to see an enormous
amount, go in red buses and walk miles. Some were having such a good
time that they missed the train back to Cookham, but were able to get a
later on to Maidenhead.
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London
here we come
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As soon as the visitors had arrived back
from Cookham they were whisked off to a reception organised by
Twinning's President, Richard Simmonds at his home. All his family
had helped prepare a wonderful evening, with candles all the way up the
drive and nibbles prepared by his daughter who had trained at the Prue
Leith School of Cookery. Pat Woodbridge, Chairman of the Parish
Council, also came along and was able to talk to the Mayor of Saint
Benoit about the different ways British and French local councils work.
Richard Simmonds, who had been an MEP, joined in.
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Richard
Simmonds in animated discussion with the Mayor of St Benoit and the
Chairman of Cookham Parish Council
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After the reception it was across the road
to the Jolly Farmer for supper. This was specially prepared for Twinning
as the Jolly Farmer is normally shut on Sundays. After a fantastic
meal prepared by chef Terry, silly games were embarked upon organised by
Timmy Mallett.
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A
silly game
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The games got noisier and noisier.
Language no longer mattered there was too much laughing, although there
was a rendition of some Welsh rugby songs, in Welsh!!
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Another
silly game
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All too soon it was time to say Goodbye
and it was the start of another Monday for everyone.
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Au
revoir, a bientot
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If you would like to join
Cookham Twinning or would like more information e-mail twinning@cookham.com
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