Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held Wednesday 20 March 2024 Present: Sue Couchman (Chairman), Chris and Sue Borley, Barbara Brown, Christine Bruce, Joan Bull, Marlene Burnham, Ernie Couchman, John Cross, Christine and Grenville Everard, Christine Hall, David and Sandra Hall, Sheila and John Harris, Geraldine Munro-Brown, Jenny Noake, Margaret Stone, Gary and Joanne Strouts, Deborah Turner, Joy Visagie, Don Wade
Chairman’s Opening Remarks Sue welcomed everyone to the meeting. It had been hoped that the Mayor would be present for the meeting, but unfortunately due to a misunderstanding over dates he hadn’t made it.
Apologies Apologies had been received Brian Brown, Gill and John Kirby, Roger and Sheila Gray, Alan and Christine Clarke, Jean Clements.
Previous Minutes The minutes of last year’s AGM, held on Wednesday 8 March 2023 were agreed as an accurate record.
Matters Arising None.
Chairman’s Report Sue delivered her report on the past year – reproduced below:
I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT ONCE AGAIN THIS YEAR WE HAVE NOT HAD TO MISS ANY MEETINGS OR FUNCTIONS DUE TO COVID. THE MONTHLY MEETINGS HERE AT THE TOWN HALL HAVE SEEN SOME VERY INTERESTNG SPEAKERS AND ENTERTAINMENT BUT ALAS YET AGAIN HAVE BEEN POORLY ATTENDED BY THE MEMBERSHIP, I AM NOT SURE WHY THIS IS AND WOULD ASK THE MEMBERS TO PLEASE LET MYSELF OR THE COMMITTEE KNOW IF THERE ARE IMPROVEMENTS WE CAN MAKE TO OUR MEETINGS. WE WILL BE LOOKING OVER THE NEXT YEAR TO PERHAPS CHANGE SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES WE OFFER.
DURING THE LAST YEAR WE HAVE HAD ONE TRIP TO HAMPTON COURT FLOWER SHOW, WHICH WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY BUT PERHAPS TOO HOT FOR SOME OF US, STLL BETTER THAN WIND AND RAIN FOR SUCH AN EVENT. WE DID MANAGE TO FILL THE COACH BUT HAD TO RELY ON NON-MEMBERS TO DO SO, WITHOUT THESE EXTRA PEOPLE THE SOCIETY WOULD HAVE LOST MONEY ON THE COACH HIRE. APART FROM OUR USUAL MEETINGS WE DID HAVE A VERY ENJOYABLE CHRISTMAS QUIZ AT WALMER AND KINGSDOWN GOLF CLUB BUT UNFORTUNATELY ONCE AGAIN THIS WAS POORLY ATTENDED, FOR THOSE OF US WHO DID GO, IT WAS A VERY GOOD NIGHT WITH GOOD FOOD, CHEAP DRINKS AND OUR USUAL TALENTED QUIZ MASTER (WHO LUCKILY DID NOT SING THIS YEAR) I WOULD LIKE TO THANK DON FOR HIS HARD WORK WITH THE QUIZ AND I KNOW HE WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT AFTER ALL HIS EFFORTS SO FEW PEOPLE ATTENDED.
DURING APRIL LAST YEAR THE MAYOR FROM SAINT OMER DID VISIT THE TOWN WITH SOME OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, OUR MAYOR KINDLY ENTERTAINED THEM WITH LUNCH AT THE ROYAL HOTEL AND AFTERWARDS WE DID TAKE THEM ON A SHORT TOUR OF THE TOWN, THE VISIT WAS SHORT BUT ENJOYABLE. IN SEPTEMBER SOME OF US VISITED SAINT OMER FOR THEIR ANNUAL BEER FESTIVAL, TIME & TIDE WENT OVER TO CHECK OUT THE LOCAL BEERS AND OFFERED US PLACES ON THEIR COACH, UNFORTUNATELY ONLY 2 PEOPLE TOOK UP THE OFFER BUT A FURTHER 4 OF US DID ATTEND AND STAYED WITH OUR TWINNING FRIENDS FOR THE WEEKEND. ONCE AGAIN THE WEATHER WAS KIND TO US AND WE ALL HAD A GREAT TIME. WE ALSO DID A GOLF TRIP IN SEPTEMBER BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE WEATHER WAS NOT KIND TO US AND THE GOLFERS GOT VERY WET. WE DID NOT HAVE ANY OFFICIAL REPRESENTATION FROM THE SAINT OMER TWINNERS, HOWEVER SOME OF OUR GOOD FRENCH FRIENDS DID JOIN US. THIS SOCIETY IS HERE TO ENCOURGAGE LINKS WITH SAINT OMER BUT APART FROM A FEW SPORTING EVENTS (GOLF AND FOOTBALL) THERE IS VERY LITTLE HAPPENING AT PRESENT. THE CONTACT WE HAD WITH MY FRENCH COUNTERPART SEEMS TO HAVE STOPPED BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT THE DEAL TOWN COUNCIL ARE HAVING TALKS WITH THE COUNCIL IN SAINT OMER TO TRY AND REGENERATE THE TWINNING RELATIONSHIP.
LAST MONTH WE DID TRY VERY HARD TO ORGANISE AN ANNUAL MEAL HAVING BOOKED THE FOX FOR 21ST FEBRUARY THEY THEN LET US DOWN, NOT SURE WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THAT BUSINESS BUT WE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO RE-ORGANISE THIS EVENT HOWEVER WE ARE HOPING TO HAVE A LATE SPRING LUNCH SOON.
LOOKING AHEAD TO THIS NEW YEAR I HOPE WE WILL BE ABLE TO COMPLETE A FULL PROGRAM OF EVENTS BUT THIS WILL BE DEPENDENT ON HOW MANY OF THE MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT US. ONCE AGAIN, I MUST APOLOGISE TO YOU ALL FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO GIVE YOU THE USUAL PROGRAM CARD AT THIS MEETING, BUT WE ARE HAVING TO WAIT FOR THE COUNCIL TO CONFIRM THE DATES OF THE MEETINGS WE WISH TO HOLD HERE AT THE TOWN HALL, ONCE THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE YOU WILL ALL GET A FULL YEARS PROGRAM OF EVENTS.
I HOPE TO OFFER OUR MEMBERSHIP A GOOD VARIETY OF EVENTS OVER THE NEXT YEAR SO PLEASE TRY YOUR BEST TO COME ALONG WHENEVER YOU CAN AND IF YOU HAVE FRIENDS OR RELATIVES WHO WOULD ALSO LIKE TO JOIN US THEN PLEASE CONTACT EITHER MYSELF OR ANY OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO SORT OUT THEIR MEMBERSHIP.THE COST OF THE MEMBERSHIP REMAINS AT £10.00 SO I THINK YOU WOULD ALL AGREE THIS IS GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY ESPECIALLY IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL CLIMATE.
AS YOU KNOW WE ARE LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS FOR THE COMMITTEE AS DON WILL BE STEPPING DOWN THIS YEAR AFTER MANY YEARS OF LOYAL SERVICE I’M SURE YOU WILL ALL AGREE OVER THE YEARS HE HAS BEEN A GREAT ASSET TO THE SOCIETY. WE WILL THEREFORE, NEED A NEW SECRETARY.
I WOULD NOW LIKE TO THANK THE COMMITTEE FOR ALL THEIR HELP OVER THE LAST YEAR, DON WADE FOR STANDING IN AS SECRETARY AND PRODUCING ALL OUR NEWSLETTERS AND LOOKING AFTER THE WINE AT THE MEETINGS, JOY VISAGIE FOR ALL THE GREAT SPEAKERS SHE FINDS AND THE RAFFLES SHE ORGANISES FOR US (WHICH I HAVE TO SAY HELPS BOOST OUR FINANCES GREATLY), CHRISTINE HALL FOR ARRANGING CATERING, JENNY NOAKES WHO HAS COME ON BOARD TO HELP WITH CATERING, CHRSTINE BRUCE WHO IS ALWAYS HAPPY TO STAND IN WHEN NECESSARY AND FOR AUDITING OUR ACCOUNTS THIS YEAR, THEN LAST BUT NOT LEAST, MY HUSBAND ERNIE, WHO HAS BEEN OUR TREASURER
I DO HOPE THAT THE NEXT YEAR WILL BE BETTER THAN THE LAST, IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE MORE INVOLVEMENT FROM SAINT OMER AND MORE MEMBERS AT OUR EVENTS, THIS WILL PROBABLY BE MY LAST YEAR AS CHAIRMAN SO I WOULD LIKE IT TO BE ONE TO REMEMBER. WE NEED NEW FACES AND NEW IDEAS IN ORDER TO CARRY THIS SOCIETY FORWARD.
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR LOYAL MEMBERS, KEEP SAFE.
Treasurer’s Report Ernie reported that at the start of the year last March the balance of funds had stood at around £6,500 and at year-end they had fallen by some £287 to around £6,200 – still a healthy balance.
Detailed copies were made available for anyone wishing to see them.
Election of Officers, Committee, Sue Couchman was re-elected unopposed to serve as Chairman for the coming year.
Ernie Couchman was re-elected unopposed to serve as Treasurer for the coming year.
The following Committee members were elected unopposed: Christine Bruce, Christine Hall, Jenny Noake, Joy Visagie. Proposed by Sheila Harris, seconded by Marlene Burnham.
Appointment of Member to Verify Accounts John Harris was appointed as the member to verify the accounts for 2024/25.
Any Other Business Joan Bull mentioned that she had joined the Society having attended the Hampton Court trip as a guest and was very pleased to have done so.
Sue announced a few upcoming dates:
Wednesday 24th April: our next meeting when the speaker would be Peter Woodley talking about a Musical History of the BBC.
Wednesday 22nd May:we hoped to have a French wine tasting evening – details still to be finalised.
Tuesday 25th June: Lunch postponed from February, to be held at The Three Compasses – details to follow.
There was a discussion about the general level of disappointment about the little or no contact we were getting from the French end of the twinning arrangement. It was resolved to further encourage the Town Council to reinvigorate these activities – proposed by Deborah Turner, seconded by Marlene Burnham.
Next Meeting Date to be advised once we are able to book dates with the Town Council.
Close The meeting closed at 7.40pm
Newsletter – March 2024
Dear Members
March Meeting – 7.00pm 0n Wednesday 20 March 2024 at Deal Town Hall A reminder that our next meeting will be our AGM. At the end of the previous newsletter, you’ll find copies of the Agenda for the meeting and the renewal form.
After the business part of the meeting – Chairman’s report, Treasurer’s report, elections, etc – we’re looking forward to a talk presented by “one of our own”, Jenny Noake, her subject “How France Has Touched My Life”.
And after Jenny’s talk we’ll have a Wine and Cheese Evening. We’ll provide a cheese board and a bottle each of red and white for wine each table, along with fruit juice and a bottle of water. If you’d like more wine – or some particular drink – please feel free to bring that along with you.
The AGM is an important meeting, so we hope to see you there.
Diary Dates A few dates for your diary:
April Meeting - 7.00pm Wednesday 24 April at Deal Town Hall Speaker: Peter Woodley, his subject “A Musical History of the BBC”
May Meeting - 7.00pm Wednesday 22 May at Deal Town Hall Speaker: TBA
June Lunch - Tuesday 25 June at The Three Compasses We’re still working on the details for our lunch, which we had to postpone from February after The Fox let us down. As soon as we have these we’ll let you know, but you might like to get the date in your diary now …
We look forward to seeing you soon
Newsletter - February 2024
Dear Members
March Meeting – Our AGM – 7.00pm 0n Wednesday 20 March 2024 As usual, the March meeting will be our AGM – you'll find the agenda and other relevant papers at the end of the newsletter. The AGM is the time for renewing your membership and you’ll find the renewal form below. You can pay your subscription in one of several ways: in cash or by cheque at the meeting, by bank transfer direct to our account or by cheque through the post. Whichever method you choose, we would ask you please to complete the FORMso that we can be sure we have your up-to-date details.
Sue is happy to continue as Chairman for one more year, but has decided that this will be her last. Ernie has agreed to continue as Treasurer, again for just one more year. Don has other commitments and will not be continuing in the role of interim Secretary, so we’ll need to identify a successor for him.
Other members of the Committee are happy to continue, but as always, we would benefit from an injection of new blood and new ideas. Having to appoint a Secretary now and a new Chairman and Treasurer in 12 months’ time only reinforces the need for some of you to step forward and join the Committee – without it we cease to exist. So if you feel you'd be able to help, please do have a word with any of us – we'd be happy to give you the low-down on what it entails.
You’ll find links to all the relevent papers below:
As in previous years, the meeting will be followed by a Wine and Cheese evening.
Diary Dates For Next Year At the time of going to press we’re waiting for the Town Council to confirm the available dates for the Town Hall, so please watch this space for more information.
We look forward to seeing you soon
Newsletter - January 2024
Dear Members A quick reminder that our next meeting will be held next Wednesday 24th January at 7.00pm at the Town Hall.
As previously advised it will take the form of an American Supper, so please bring along whatever food you'd like to share with the others at your table. We'll provide a couple of bottles of wine for each table - one red and one white. If you think you might need more than that, or would like something different, please feel free to bring that too. We won't have access to the kitchen facilities, so please also bring your own glasses, crockery and cutlery.
During the evening we'll be entertained by the Golf Road Strummers.
We've set the date of Wednesday 21st February for the February meeting which, as we told you previously, will be our annual meal. We felt a lunch would be more appropriate than an evening meal at this time of the year. We're currently finalising the details of this and will provide these in a newsletter which we'll get out to you just as soon as we have all the ts crossed and is dotted. Please keep an eye out for that - in the meantime you might like to make a note of the date in your diaries.
Look forward to seeing you soon.
Don
Newsletter - November 2023
Chairman Sue Couchman 01304-239518 Secretary/E-Mails Don Wade 01304-380031 Treasurer Ernie Couchman 01304-239518 Twinning Visits Sue Couchman 01304-239518 Newsletter Don Wade 01304-380031 Website John Harris 01304-729096
Dear Members Quite a bit to cover this month ….
November Meeting – 7.00pm Wednesday 22nd November 2023 Our next meeting will be held at the Town Hall as usual. Our speaker will be Martin Crowther who will be giving us a Fun History of Christmas. There will be the usual finger buffet and glass of wine to follow.
Christmas Dinner and Quiz – 6.30pm for 7.00pm Wednesday 6th December 2023 It’s that time of year again – time for the Christmas Dinner and Quiz. As with the last couple of years, we’re holding it at Walmer & Kingsdown Golf Club and, to ring the changes a little, we’re offering a traditional Christmas meal this year – menu as follows:
Main Roast turkey, honey roast gammon, pigs in blanket, roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables or Vegetarian Option ***** Dessert Christmas Pudding with brandy sauce or Cheesecake or Cheese and biscuits ***** Coffee and mints ***** Wine with meal
The price will be £20 per head for members and £25 per head for guests. We hope to see lots of you there – please complete the attached booking form and return it with your cheque, payable to Deal Saint Omer Twinning Society, to the Treasurer at the address shown, to reach him no later than Saturday 25th November. Alternatively, if it’s easier for you or if you don’t have the facility to print the form and/or no longer have use of a chequebook, please make payment direct to our bank account (details on the booking form) and notify us by email that you’ve done so, letting us have your menu choices at the same time.
January Meeting – Wednesday 24th January 2024 A change to the details on your Membership card. We’ll no longer be holding a quiz for this meeting. Instead, we’ll be making this an American supper and arranging a speaker for the evening. Further details to follow in due course. February Meeting – Provisional Date Wednesday 21st February 2024 As last year’s reinstatement of the Annual Dinner was well-received we’ve decided to make our February meeting a repeat of that event. We’re currently researching details, but are hoping that we can sort something out at The Fox, the newly-opened restaurant opposite the pier. Further details when we have them … watch this space. Diary Date One more date to remind you of: March Meeting - 7.00pm Wednesday 20th March 2024. Our AGM in Deal Town Hall Followed as usual by Wine and Cheese and entertainment. We look forward to seeing you at the Christmas Quiz
Newsletter – October 2023
Chairman Sue Couchman 01304-239518 Secretary/E-Mails Don Wade 01304-380031 Treasurer Ernie Couchman 01304-239518 Twinning Visits Sue Couchman 01304-239518 Newsletter Don Wade 01304-380031 Website John Harris 01304-729096 Dear Members We hope you’ve had a good summer and are enjoying the early autumn sunshine that we’re being blessed with at the moment. A few things to tell you about …
Weekend Visit to Saint-Omer – 9th-10th September 2023 To coincide with the Saint-Omer Beer Festival a few of our members spent an enjoyable weekend in Saint-Omer and were able to have lunch with some of our friends there. Please take a look at the website (url above at the top of the Newslettter) where we will be posting information and photographs of the weekend.
Deal/Saint-Omer Golf Match – 21st September 2023 Following on from the successful match held last year at Walmer and Kingsdown Golf Club, a return match was held at Saint-Omer and once again proved successful, with (unfortunately!) the French team running out winners. It’s hoped that this will become firmly established as an annual event. Once again we’ll be posting information and photos of the day on our website.
October Meeting – 7.00pm Wednesday 18th October 2023 Our meeting in October will be held at the Town Hall on Wednesday 18th October. Our speaker will be Martin Hoskins, his topic: “Gotcha! Fleet Street’s finest gets a nasty surprise.” Afterwards there will be the usual finger buffet and glass of wine.
November Meeting - 7.00pm Wednesday 22nd November 2023 Speaker: Martin Crowther – A Fun History of Christmas
Christmas Quiz and Dinner – Wednesday 6th December 2023 The ever-popular Christmas Quiz and Dinner will once again be held at Walmer and Kingsdown Golf Club, where we’ve been so well looked after the past couple of years. Watch out for details in the coming weeks so that you can book your places and choose your meal.
We look forward to seeing you soon
NEWSLETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN - June 2023
Hello everyone, As many members were unable to make the last meeting and we do not have any more meetings at the town hall till October, I thought I should bring you all up-to-date with what is happening between now and October.
Hampton Court Coach Trip(7th July) A quick reminder that we still have a few seats left for the visit to Hampton Court, it will be a good day out for £62 and if you are interested, please email either the twinning email, mine or Don’s so that we can add you to the list.
TheSaint Omer Beer Festival (9th and 10th September) and twinning get together in France (the first since June 2019!). The Deal Hop farm is taking over a coach on the tunnel on 9th September and they do have a few seats left for our members, please see attached letter from them about booking your place. Alternatively, some of our French friends would be happy to offer you accommodation for the weekend so that you can visit the Beer festival and see a bit more of this lovely French city. Again numbers are limited and I do need to know quite soon if you would like to do the full weekend (9th and 10th of September). My French twinning family along with the members of the twinning in France will be organizing a restaurant meal for the lunch time on 9th so that all of us and our French friends can gather in one place and enjoy a meal together (cost to be advised). Please give this your urgent attention so that we can complete all the necessary arrangements.
Golf day 21st September This is between AA St. Omer Golf Club and Walmer and Kingsdown Golf club The golfers will be traveling by car and at the moment I will also be attending If anyone would like to go for the day under their own steam, then let me know as I can then arrange for you to join the meal at the end of the match. Once again, our French friends are happy to entertain us while the golf is being played (just one thing it will be an early start!) All the above will make the summer very busy and it is a golden opportunity to re-unite with our French friends. So it will be nice if some of you could attend some of the above, this is what twinning is all about and will help keep both our clubs active.
Kind regards
Sue
Newsletter - May 2023
Newsletter – May 2023
Chairman Sue Couchman 01304-239518 Secretary/E-Mails Chris Tough 07939-626237 Treasurer Ernie Couchman 01304-239518 Twinning Visits Sue Couchman 01304-239518 Newsletter Don Wade 01304-380031 Website John Harris 01304-729096
Dear Members May Meeting – 7.00pm Wednesday 17th May 2023 Our next meeting will be held at the Town Hall on Wednesday 17th May. Our speaker will be David Reid, recounting some stories from the early days of the Twinning Society.
Afterwards there will be the usual finger buffet and glass of wine.
Coach Trip to Hampton Court Flower Show – Friday 7th July 2023 At the last meeting, when Sue asked if there would be interest in this trip, there was a good response, so we have gone ahead and booked the coach. Many people contend that this show is better than Chelsea – certainly there is a great deal to see here, often with ideas for what to do with a typical garden rather than the more elaborate show gardens seen at Chelsea. As well as the show itself, there are plenty of options for eating and drinking or you can take a picnic and eat it sitting by the river. All in all it should be a great day out!
The price for the outing will be £62, which includes all the costs associated with the coach as well as the entry fee for the show itself. If you’d like to go, please complete the form at the end of the newsletter and return it, with payment, to Ernie Couchman at the address shown, to reach him by 17th May.
As space on the coach is limited, in the first instance we’re offering it to paid-up members, so if you haven’t renewed yet (see below) you can add your renewal subs to this booking. Once we know how many members wish to go, we’ll open it up to friends and guests.
A downloadable and printable version is available at Hampton Court
Membership Renewals If you still haven’t renewed, another gentle reminder to send your renewal form and annual subscription in please. The form is available at the foot of the newsletter. It can either be posted to Ernie Couchman at the address shown or brought with you to the May meeting.
June Meeting - 7.00pm Wednesday 21st June 2023 Speaker: TBA
September - Return Golf Match (Date TBA) Saint-Omer will be hosting a return golf match. Details to follow – watch this space.
We look forward to seeing you soon
DEAL/SAINT-OMER TWINNING SOCIETY SUBSCRIPTION FOR YEAR 2023-2024
The yearly subscription of £10 is due in March 2023. It can be paid at the next meeting or posted to Ernie Couchman, 56 Poet’s Walk, Walmer, Deal, CT14 7QD
Hampton Court Flower Show Trip – Friday 7th July 2023
I/We …........................................................................................................................ would like to join the Hampton Court Flower Show trip and enclose my/our cheque for £ ............. My/our preferred coach pick-up stop will be (please tick as appropriate): Deal Hospital 8.00am ﬦ Sea Front, opp The Regent 8.05am ﬦ Archery Square 8.10am ﬦ Upper Walmer 8.15am ﬦ Please return with cheque payable to Deal/Saint-Omer Twinning Society to Ernie Couchman, 56 Poet’s Walk Walmer, Deal, CT14 7QD to reach him by 17 May 2023
Newsletter – March 2023
Chairman Sue Couchman 01304-239518 Secretary/E-Mails Chris Tough 07939-626237 Treasurer Christine Bruce 01304-380268 Twinning Visits Sue Couchman 01304-239518 Newsletter Don Wade 01304-380031 Website John Harris 01304-729096
Dear Members April Meeting – 7.00pm Wednesday 19 April 2023 Our next meeting will be held at the Town Hall on Wednesday 19 April. Our speaker will be Russell Miles, talking about his work as a wildlife photographer.
Afterwards there will be the usual finger buffet and glass of wine.
Membership Renewals If you weren’t able to make it to the AGM, a gentle reminder to send your renewal form and annual subscription in please. The form is available at the foot of the newsletter. It can either be posted to Sue Couchman at the address shown or brought with you to the April meeting.
And a request: we’re trying to iron out one or two inaccuracies in our list of contacts, which we rely on to keep you up to date with what’s going on. We know that some of you now pay your subs direct into the Society’s bank account, but we do still need to make sure we have up to date details for you. So, whichever method you use to pay your subs, could you please complete the details requested on the renewal form and let us have it back as soon as possible please. Thank you in advance …
Facebook Page – Volunteer Required You may or may not know that the Society has its own page on Facebook. It was set up for us by a former member several years ago and potentially provides another useful vehicle for keeping us all up to speed with events going on here and in Saint-Omer. Unfortunately, it is now rather out of date. If there is a Facebook afficionado out there somewhere who would be willing and able to take on the role of administrator, we’d love to hear from you, please.
Diary Dates A couple of dates for your diaries:
May Meeting - 7.00pm Wednesday 17 May 2023 Speaker: David Reid, The Early Days of Twinning
September - Return Golf Match (Date TBA) Saint-Omer will be hosting a return golf match. Details to follow – watch this space.
We look forward to seeing you soon
........................................................................................................................................................................................ DEAL/SAINT-OMER TWINNING SOCIETY SUBSCRIPTION FOR YEAR 2023-2024 The yearly subscription of £10 is due in March 2023. It can be paid at the AGM or posted to the Treasurer, Sue Couchman, 56 Poet’s Walk, Walmer, Deal, CT14 7QD Name/s................................................................................................................... Address (inc. Post Code) ....................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................ …............................................................................................................................ E-mail Address....................................................................................................... Telephone Number..................................................................................................
Newsletter – January 2023 Chairman Sue Couchman 01304-239518 Secretary/E-Mails Vacant Treasurer Christine Bruce 01304-380268 Twinning Visits Sue Couchman 01304-239518 Newsletter Don Wade 01304-380031 Website John Harris 01304-729096
Dear Members Reinstatement Of Annual Dinner – 6.30pm for 7.00pm, Wednesday 15th February 2023 As Sue mentioned at our meeting last week, we thought that after the hiatus brought about by the pandemic it would be a lovely idea to reinstate our Annual Dinner, which we haven’t held for several years. Many of you who were there agreed. Therefore we have arranged for this to take place at The Courtyard in Sondes Road on Wednesday 15th February. The restaurant is offering a two-course meal with a choice of main course and dessert. The cost will be £25 with a supplement of £5 for cheese in place of a dessert and you can add a glass of their house wine for £4. And, of course, the bar will be open should you wish you buy other drinks ….
The menu is as follows: Mains Gammon ham, 2 eggs, rustic fries and peas Or Fish Pie of cod, salmon and smoked haddock in a creamy sauce topped with mashed potato and grilled cheese, served with salad Or Butternut, pumpkin seed, pine nut and cashew nut loaf, served with saute potato, braised red cabbage, seasonal vegetables and gravy Dessert Belgian-style waffle, served with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream and berries Or Apple and cinnamon crumble, served with custard or cream Or Selection of Kentish cheeses, served with crackers, grapes, dates, celery and apple chutney (£5 supplement)
The restaurant has a maximum capacity of 35 and, as many of you told us that you were keen for this dinner, much looked forward to in the past, to be reinstated, we’re expecting it to be a sell-out. Make sure your get your booking in as soon as possible! Please visit Annual Dinner for a down-loadable and printable copy of your application and return it with your payment to Christine Bruce at the address shown, to reach her no later than 5th February. For those of you aren’t able to print the form, please just send a note of your choices along with your payment.
March Meeting – Our AGM – Deal Town Hall, 7.00pm on Wednesday 8 March 2023
As usual, the March meeting will be our AGM – you'll find the relevant papers at the end of the newsletter for renewing your membership (due at the AGM) along with the agenda and forms for nominations for the Committee.
Once again Sue is happy to continue as Chairman. As for the other officers, we are losing both our secretary and our treasurer, so volunteers and/or nominations for these two positions are needed urgently, please.
Other members of the Committee are happy to continue, but as always, we would benefit from an injection of new blood and new ideas, so if you feel you'd be able to provide that, please do have a word with any of us – we'd be happy to give you the low-down on what it entails … it’s not too onerous.
As in previous years, the meeting will be followed by a Wine and Cheese evening, during which we will be entertained by The Ukulele Rollers.
Click Here for a down-loadable and Printable copy of the A.G.M Agenda Click Here for a down-loadable and Printable copy of the Nominations Form Click Here for a down-loadable and Printable copy of the Subscription Form for renewed membership for 2023-2024
Diary Dates For Next Year At the time of going to press we’re waiting for the Town Council to confirm the available dates for the Town Hall, so please watch this space for more information.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Town Hall, Deal Wednesday 8 March 2023 at 7.00pm AGENDA
Chairman’s opening remarks
Apologies for Absence
Minutes of the AGM held on 23 March 2022
Matters Arising
Chairman's Report
Treasurer's Report
Election of Officers and Committee
Election of Chairman; Election of Secretary; Election of Treasurer; Election of Committee Members The following are willing to hold/continue in office subject to election/re-election: Sue Couchman (Chairman) Committee: Joy Visagie; Christine Hall; Ernie Couchman; Christine Bruce; Jenny Noake; Don Wade Election of above and/or new/replacement Committee Members – see attached form 8. Verification of Accounts Appointment of Member(s) to verify Society Accounts 2022/2023 9. Any Other Business 10. Date of Next AGM
Following the AGM there will be a Wine and Cheese Evening ........................................................................................................................................................................................
Annual Dinner at The Courtyard, Sondes Road, Deal 6.30pm for 7.00pm Wednesday 15 February 2023
I/We …………………………………………………………………………………………….......... wish to attend the Annual Dinner and enclose a cheque for £ …………………..(£25 per head)
Menu ChoicesDiner 1Diner 2Diner 3 Main Gammon, Egg & Chips ………. ………. ………. Fish Pie …........ …........ …........ Nut Loaf …........ …........ …........ Glass of House Wine (£4 supplement) …........ …........ …........
Dessert Belgian Waffle …........ …........ …......... Apple Crumble …........ …........ …........ Cheese (£5 supplement) …........ …........ …........
Please return, with cheque payable to Deal/Saint-Omer Twinning Society, to Christine Bruce, 6 Dorset Court, Lord Warden Avenue, Deal, CT14 7JT to reach her by 5 February 2023 ........................................................................................................................................................................................
DEAL/SAINT-OMER TWINNING SOCIETY CHAIRMAN, SECRETARY, TREASURER & COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS
I wish to nominate ............................................................ for ................................................ (Please print clearly the name of person you are nominating & the Office)
Nominee’s agreement …………………………………………………….. (signature) (It is important that you have the agreement and signature of the person you are nominating)
DEAL/SAINT-OMER TWINNING SOCIETY
SUBSCRIPTION FOR YEAR 2023-2024
The yearly subscription of £10 is due in March 2023. It can be paid at the AGM or posted to the Treasurer, Christine Bruce, 6 Dorset Court, Lord Warden Avenue, Deal, CT14 7JT
Chairman Sue Couchman 01304-239518 Secretary/E-Mails Vacant Treasurer Christine Bruce 01304-380268 Twinning Visits Sue Couchman 01304-239518 Newsletter Don Wade 01304-380031 Website John Harris 01304-729096
Dear Members
Deal Warm Welcome We are pleased to bring to your attention details of this initiative, aimed at providing somewhere for people to meet up for a bite to eat, cup of something warm and a chance to chat and share.
Deal Warm Welcome is formed by Trinity Church, Leaps & Bounds, St George’s Church, Golf Road Community Centre, Deal Film Club, Salvation Army, Deal Area Foodbank, Deal Rotary Pirates, Chequers Kitchen Cookery School, United Families, Betteshanger Sport & Social Club and Deal Town Council.
Each weekday this winter between 1 November 2022 and 31 March 2023 at least one venue each day will be opening its doors to welcome people. Guests can expect a warm welcome from each venue, refreshments, Wi-Fi and entertainment.
The opening times are:
Mondays Deal Salvation Army, West Street, 12pm – 5pm (starts 14 November) and Golf Road Community Centre, 3pm to 6pm
Tuesdays at Trinity Church, Union Road, 12.30pm to 4pm and Golf Road Community Centre, 3pm to 6pm
Wednesdays St George’s Church, High Street, 12.30pm to 4.30pm
Thursdays Leaps & Bounds, Southwall Road, 3.30pm to 6.30pm
The scheme is funded by Deal Town Council and Mayor Cllr Chris Turner says:
“The town’s motto is ‘Welcome the Stranger’ and we don’t want anybody feeling alone and worried about having a warm place to go or being able to get something to eat this winter.
“I would encourage everyone to go along to a Deal Warm Welcome, join in and have a chat. Sharing your time and listening and talking to others can be very rewarding.
“And my thanks go to all the partner organisations whose energy and kindness will make sure everyone in our town can be safe and warm this winter.”
December Meeting – 7.00pm 0n Wednesday 7 December 2022 The return of our popular Christmas Quiz and Dinner which, following the success of last year’s event, will once again be held at Walmer & Kingsdown Golf Club.
As you’ll see on the attached booking form, for the dinner we’re offering a choice of steak pie, fish pie or vegetarian meals, with wine. Following the main course, coffee and mince pies will be served. All this for a price of £15 per head. Guests are welcome, but as we’re subsidising the meal from Society funds, the price for them will be £20 per head.
Please complete the booking form below and return it with your cheque to Christine Bruce at the address shown, to reach her by 30 November 2022. If you’re not able to print the form, please send a short note letting us know your menu choices along with your cheque.
Diary Dates A couple more forthcoming dates for your diaries:
January Meeting - Wednesday 18 January 2023 A report on the Kent Scouts’ expedition to Antarctica – Alan Noake ReQuest2021 is a programme of activity centred around an expedition to Antarctica to commemorate the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition of 1921-1922. 100 years after Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship Quest sailed to Antarctica a ten strong team of Scouts and leaders are recreating the original ethos of the expedition by undertaking their own voyage to the frozen south. The ten participants undertook research projects whilst in Antarctica on issues such as climate change, energy, exploration, education, health and the environment. Findings will be presented in a range of engaging formats including photography, soundscapes, reports, artwork and interactive forums.
February Meeting - Date TBA Possible reinstatement of our annual dinner – Details to follow
We look forward to seeing you soon
Newsletter - October 2022
Dear Members Autumn Friendship Day – Thursday 29 September 2022 A short review of last month’s visit by our friends from Saint-Omer … The weather was kind and the golf match between Walmer & Kingsdown Golf Club and their opposite numbers from Saint-Omer was a great success, with 12 players from each side competing. Walmer & Kingsdown emerged victorious! Meanwhile a small group of visitors, accompanied by several of our members, undertook a different type of golfing challenge with a visit to the new Walmer Adventure Golf. Afterwards they enjoyed a visit to the Town Hall for tea with the Mayor. In the evening around 70 sat down to a carvery dinner at the Golf Club, where the Mayor presented gifts to all the golfers – local beers for the men and local wine to the ladies – along with a memento of a medallion to commemorate the event. All agreed it was a very successful day and the two Clubs hope that it will become a regular event.
October Meeting – Wednesday 19 October 2022 On a less happy note, the October meeting was probably our worst-attended meeting ever! A real shame as the talk on pantomime costumes, given by our excellent speaker, Helga Wood, was so interesting and was “illustrated” by the several costumes that she brought along. We hope that numbers will be back to normal for our forthcoming meetings …
November Meeting – 7.00pm, Wednesday 16 November 2022 at Deal Town Hall As reported previously, our November meeting will be a musical evening featuring local musicians from the Deal Music & Arts Community Band. They will be playing two sets, including a variety of music styles. As the usual buffet will be served “cabaret style” rather than the serve-yourself arrangement that we generally have, we will need to know numbers in advance so that we can have the appropriate number of tables prepared. Therefore, could you please complete the attached form and return it with your cheque – it’ll be the usual £5 per person – to Christine Bruce at the address shown, to reach her no later than Monday 7th November, please. If you’re not able to print the form – we recognise this applies to some of you – a short note to accompany the cheque will be quite acceptable.
This should be an enjoyable evening and we hope to see you there. So click HERE for a downloadable and printable copy
December Meeting – Wednesday 7 December 2022 The return of our popular Christmas Quiz and Dinner which, following the success of last year’s event, will once again be held at Walmer & Kingsdown Golf Club.
As we “go to press”, details are still being finalised, but we once again anticipate offering you a choice of meals, with wine, coffee and mince pies for a price of around £15. Plus, of course, all the fun of the Quiz!
We’ll get full details out to you very soon. Once again, we’ll need to know numbers in advance – probably by around 25 November – so please make sure you have the date reserved in your diaries.
Diary Dates A couple more forthcoming dates for your diaries:
January Meeting - Wednesday 18 January 2023 A report on the Scouts’ expedition to Antarctica – Alan Noake
Newsletter - September 2022
Chairman Sue Couchman 01304-239518 Secretary/E-Mails Vacant Treasurer Christine Bruce 01304-380268 Twinning Visits Sue Couchman 01304-239518 Newsletter Don Wade 01304-380031 Website John Harris 01304-729096
Dear Members
Autumn Friendship Day – Thursday 29 September 2022 As mentioned in the last newsletter, a party of 12 golfers will be visiting from Saint Omer and, throughout the day, will be playing a match against 12 from this side of La Manche.
In addition several of their golfers’ wives and a number of our exchange partners will be coming over – perhaps about 20 in all – and a programme of activities has been prepared for them. This will include a round of the new Adventure Golf by the Paddling Pool, a visit to the pier and a guided visit to the Town Hall. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us, but a wet weather programme will be organised if not. This non-golfers day is open to all and we hope that many of you would like to participate.
From 5.30pm a dinner will be served at Walmer & Kingsdown Golf Club. This will be a two-course carvery meal, with wine included at a cost of £14.95 per person. Once again we hope that you, our Members, will join us for the dinner, during which the Mayor has been invited to present the prizes.
As this is the first opportunity for us to get together with our friends from Saint Omer for three years, we hope that as many of you as possible will join in with the day’s activities. .At the end of the newsletter you will find a form to fill in if you would like to join us for either the non-golfers’ activities and/or the dinner in the evening. We will need to advise numbers in advance, so please be sure to send the form back, along with payment, no later than Monday 12 September.
Application forms in a down loadable and printable format are at Friendship Day
November Meeting – Wednesday 16 November 2022 A change of plan for the November meeting. We had intended to book a coach trip across to France – a return to the lunch and shopping day that we’d done regularly before the pandemic – but as it seems likely that outings like this will not receive the level of support needed to make them viable at the moment we decided to hold a meeting at the Town Hall instead.
What we’ll be doing is having a musical evening featuring local musicians with the usual buffet served “cabaret style” rather than the serve-yourself arrangement that we generally have.
More details to follow in the next newsletter …. watch this space.
Membership – Final Reminder We have reminded you in the past couple of newsletters about renewing your membership and we don’t want to go on about it, so this will be the last one.
According to our constitution, those who have not paid their renewal subs by six months after the due date are deemed to have effectively resigned their membership. Therefore, any member whose subs we have not received following this final reminder will be removed from the list of members and will receive no further communications from us.
Application forms in a down loadable and printable format are at Friendship Day
Diary Dates A couple of forthcoming dates for your diaries:
October Meeting - Wednesday 19 October 2022 Putting On The Panto – Helga Wood
December Meeting - Wednesday 7 December 2022 Christmas Dinner and Quiz – Details to follow
We look forward to seeing you for the Friendship Day!
Newsletter - June 2022
Chairman Sue Couchman 01304-239518 Secretary/E-Mails Alan Clarke 01304-792360 Treasurer Christine Bruce 01304-380268 Twinning Visits Sue Couchman 01304-239518 Newsletter Don Wade 01304-380031 Website John Harris 01304-729096
Dear Members
June Meeting – 7:00pm on Wednesday 22 June 2022 at Deal Town Hall Our next meeting will take place on Wednesday 22 June – usual time, usual place. Our speaker will be one of our own members, John Cross, who will talk to us about his life as a photographer and show us some of his more memorable photos.
Usual buffet and glass of wine to follow.
July Trip – Thursday 14 July 2022 As mentioned in May’s newsletter, we’ve arranged a coach trip for July – we realise we’ve chosen Bastille Day, but we’ve decided to stay in England this year, with a visit to Godinton House and Gardens, near Ashford.
The coach will set off at 9.00am from Deal, arriving at Godinton House for 10.00am for coffee, followed by a tour of this beautiful house, which dates back to the 14th century. At lunchtime a ploughman’s lunch will be served, with a choice of cheese, ham or pate – or a combination of these. Afterwards we’ll have a tour of the gardens, which stretch to 12 acres and, amongst other things, include formal Italianate gardens and wild areas – you might have seen a taste of what to expect on BBC South East Today on Friday evening. When you’ve done with looking round these, the tea room will be available for you to purchase tea, cakes and the like. The coach will return us to Deal and we’ll be back around 5.00pm. The cost of the trip will be £38 per head for members. Guests will be welcome, but as we’re subsidising the visit from Society funds, the cost for them will be £43.
If you’d like to enjoy what should be an interesting day out, please complete the attached form indicating lunch choices and pick-up points and return them with your cheque to Christine Bruce at the address shown, to reach her no later than Monday 4 July please.
August Event You’ll know that we don’t usually hold any events in August, but this year that could change. Deal History Project have offered the possibility of providing us with a walking tour of the town. Details have still to be finalised and will follow soon – watch this space!
Autumn Friendship Day – Thursday 29 September 2022 Plans are progressing for the Friendship Day in September.
For the golf tournament part of the day, a party of 12 golfers will be coming over from St Omer – 10 men and 2 women. If any of our Members are golfers and would like to take part please do let us know – otherwise the rest of our team for the tournament will be made up from members of Walmer & Kingsdown Golf Club.
We’re expecting a number of our “twinners” to come over and are putting together a programme of activities for all the non-golfers – theirs and ours. More details to follow.
A 2-course dinner will be served at the Golf Club at 5.30pm-6.00pm in the evening. Those of you who have eaten there in the past will know that their catering is excellent and we hope that a good number of you will join us for that.
Once again, more details to follow, but please put the date in your diaries.
Membership Reminder One more reminder about Membership renewal: if you’ve not yet done so and are planning to renew, please complete the form below and send it with your cheque to the address shown. If you’re not able to print the form and/or get it in the post for some reason, we’d be very happy to come and collect it from you – just let us know and we’ll get it organised.
We do know that some have decided not to renew. If you have so decided it would be really helpful for us to know that for certain, so could we please ask that you advise us of your intention.
Diary Dates One more forthcoming date for your diaries (more to follow next time):
October Meeting - Wednesday 19 October 2022 Putting On The Panto – Helga Wood
May Meeting – 7:00pm on Wednesday 18 May 2022 at Deal Town Hall As previously mentioned, May’s meeting will be a Wine Tasting, courtesy of the Strand Wine Company. They will be bringing along a selection of Portuguese wines for us to try, complete with tasting notes.
As they have proved popular in the past, we’re making this an American Supper so please bring along what you’d like to eat and to share with others at your table. Please also bring crockery and cutlery.
Autumn Friendship Day – Thursday 29 September 2022 As you’ll know, part of the Society’s remit is to “encourage and facilitate” links between community groups here and in Saint-Omer – for example, we’ve been able to help youth football teams from Deal Town Rangers take part in an international tournament in Saint-Omer and will be doing so again next month.
Something else we’ve been able to do is arrange a golf tournament between their town’s club and the Walmer and Kingsdown Golf Club, to be held on the above date. We’re expecting some of our exchange families to come over for the day as well – not to play golf, but to spend time with their “twinners”. To round the day off, we’ll be taking dinner at the Club – details to follow, but this will be the first opportunity in three years to spend time with our opposite numbers, so please put the date in your diary.
Membership Reminder As not everyone was not able to get along to either the AGM or to April’s meeting and some have not therefore yet renewed their membership, you’ll find a copy of the renewal form at the end of the newsletter. If you’ve not yet done so and are planning to renew, please complete the form and send it with your cheque to the address shown. If you’re not able to print the form and/or get it in the post for some reason, we’d be very happy to come and collect it from you – just let us know by email and we’ll get it organised.
We do know that some have decided not to renew. If you have so decided it would be really helpful for us to know that for certain, so could we please ask that you advise us of your intention by email.
July Outing – Possibly Thursday 14 July 2022 As you’ll remember, in the days before the pandemic we usually organised a “Not Bastille Day” outing to France in July. We’re still not certain about the viability of a coach trip over there at the moment so, instead, we’re hoping to fix something up more locally. Nothing definite yet, but all the members of the Committee have got their thinking caps on to see what we can come up with.
Watch this space!
Books on France As Sue announced at the AGM and mentioned again at last month’s meeting, we have been offered a large number of books on France. These are available free to any member who would like them. If you’re interested, please contact Sue in the first instance.
Committee Membership One of our Committee members has recently needed to stand down so we are short of our constitutional numbers at the moment. New blood and new ideas are always welcome, so if “anyone out there” feels that they would like to join us and help the Society flourish, please have a chat with any of us – you’ll find that it’s not too onerous and you’d be made very welcome!
Diary Dates The Town Council have finally been able to let us know the available dates for the Town Hall. We’re in the process of getting the annual membership cards printed and these will be provided to you as soon as possible, but in the meantime you might like to get the dates in your diaries …
June Meeting - Wednesday 22 June 2022 A Life in Photography – John Cross
July Outing - Possibly Thursday 14 July 2022 See above
September Meeting - Thursday 29 September 2022 Dinner at Walmer & Kingsdown Golf Club
October Meeting - Wednesday 19 October 2022 Putting On The Panto – Helga Wood
November Outing - Date TBA An outing to replace our Autumn Shopping Trip – or we might be able to reinstate a trip to France if cross-Channel coach trips are viable by then.
December Meeting - Wednesday 7 December 2022 Christmas Quiz and Meal To be held at Walmer & Kingsdown Golf Club
January Meeting - Wednesday 18 January 2023 TBA
February Meeting - Date TBA We’re hoping to resurrect our Annual Dinner
March Meeting - Wednesday 8 March 2023 Our AGM (Please note the change of date from that shown in the minutes of this year’s AGM.)
Newsletter 0 February 2022
Dear Members
March Meeting – 7:00pm on Wednesday 23 March 2022 at Deal Town Hall The March meeting will be our AGM – you'll find the relevant papers at the end of the newsletter for renewing your membership (due at the AGM) along with the agenda and forms for nominations for the Committee.
And, speaking of those nominations, Sue says that having had a relatively quiet couple of years thanks to the pandemic, she is happy to continue as Chairman. The same is true for the other members of the Committee, but as always, we would benefit from an injection of new blood and new ideas, so if you feel you'd be able to provide that, please do have a word with any of us – we'd be happy to give you the low-down on what it entails … it’s not too onerous.
As in previous years, the meeting will be followed by a Wine and Cheese evening, during which we will be entertained by The Ukulele Rollers.
Diary Dates A couple of other dates to advise you of …
April Meeting - Wednesday 20 April 2022 An Introduction To Hallmarking – Adam Phillips
May Meeting - Wednesday 18 May 2022 A Wine Tasting Evening – details to follow
We look forward to seeing you all soon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deal/Saint-Omer Twinning Society ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Town Hall, Deal Wednesday 23 March 2022 at 7.00pm
AGENDA
Chairman’s opening remarks
Apologies for Absence
Minutes of the “virtual” AGM held on 29th March 2021
Matters Arising
Chairman's Report
Treasurer's Report
Election of Officers and Committee
Election of Chairman; Election of Secretary; Election of Treasurer; Election of Committee Members The following are willing to hold/continue in office subject to election/re-election: Sue Couchman (Chairman) Christine Bruce (Treasurer) Alan Clarke (Secretary) Committee: Joy Visagie; Christine Hall; Ernie Couchman; Paul Robbins; Don Wade Election of above and/or new/replacement Committee Members – see attached form
8. Verification of Accounts 9. Appointment of Member(s) to verify Society Accounts 2022/2023 10. Any Other Business Following the AGM there will be a Wine and Cheese Evening with the Ukelele Rollers
Please click on the link below to download printable copies of the Membership and Nomination forms