We have the technology!

               A big thank you to our committee member Shirley Davies who is helping us make more of our blog facility! Shirley is currently helping our UK committee with the technical aspects of adding a blog. This will allow us to produce more information in future about what is happening in Ludlow  which our friends in France will be able to access too! With Christmas coming up, we hope that there will be many more photos like the below- taken in December 2023- which we can now publish.

Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei

 

Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei

Set in the beautiful hills known as Les Alpes Mancelles, Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei is a picturesque village officially listed among the ‘most beautiful villages in France’ (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France®). This village was much loved by artists such as Corot and Courbet and pre-Impressionist landscape painters for its peace and serenity.

One of the ‘most beautiful villages in France’

Time appears to have stood still at Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei, on Normandy’s now quiet southern border. The most picturesque of medieval chapels looks swamped by the large meadow surrounding it, down close to the Sarthe river, which meanders peacefully by. The 11th-century Romanesque church, perched above the river, contains beautiful frescoes. There’s also the so-called miraculous fountain to discover. At this spot, so the story goes, the thirsty seventh-century Saint-Céneri and his disciple were delighted to see fresh water spring up in front of them. In addition, legend had it that this water had the ability to cure eye problems.

A painter's retreat

It’s no surprise that this small, lesser-known village, not far from the historic town of Alençon, attracted many painters. Run by the two Moisy sisters in the latter part of the 19th century, the Auberge des Sœurs Moisy was a place where renowned artists liked to come to rest as well as to paint. This inn’s most original feature is its celebrated Salle des Décapités, decorated with an intriguing panoply of black heads drawn in profile. The inn now welcomes visitors as an art museum.

 Stall at Ludlow market promoting Ludlow French Twinning.

 Dates for our next exchange visit 2025 are 23rd May - 27th May

 5th May An Historic Day for Europe

In  a historic speech in 1946, Winston Churchill spoke of the need to build and maintain peace in Europe- a continent shattered by war and destruction. Three years later, on 5th May 1949, the Council of Europe was set up with the aim of uniting the diverse peoples of the continent around a set of common values.- democracy and the striving for peace between nations. Against the backdrop of this huge cultural movement, towns in Europe began to create their own modest links with their neighbours  and the twinning associations were born. 

As one of those groups, Ludlow French Twinning Association is pleased to be able to celebrate the establishment of the Council of Europe. We have severed our membership of the EU but regardless of our political beliefs, we are still Europeans. 

 

Film at the Blue Boar: Le souffle au Coeur ,a well-known 2-hour film by Louis Malle

• Wednesday 6 March at 7.30pm (19.30 h)
  

• Venue: The Sitting Room, Blue Boar, Mill Street, Ludlow
  

• Meals and drinks are available from 6pm (18.00)
  

Important to note:

• Prior to the film, the Twinning Association will be holding our AGM in the Sitting Room at 7pm, for 25 minutes. All members are urged to attend.
• Non-members may also attend but will NOT be allowed to vote.

 Good news on the trip to Chester. With several weeks to go before the deadline, we already have 22 signed up travellers!

Trip to Chester on Saturday 6th April

Leaving Lower Galdeford at 8.30 a.m, arriving in Chester at about 10.am, and to leave Chester for the journey home at 5pm, arriving back in Ludlow at about 7 pm.

This trip is open to all- members of the French Twinning, non- members, friends and/ or family. The cost is £21 per person (£10 for children under 16) There will be a toilet on the coach.

If you are interested in joining us on this trip, please email me (gracewilkins@aol.com) to let me know as soon as possible and by 1st March at the very latest. Please also make your payment by this date. If you decide to pay by Bacs or internet banking, please ensure that your name is shown in the "Reference" section.

Payment can be made either:

1.By cheque, payable to "Ludlow French Twinning Association" and sent to G Oram, 42 Mill Street, Ludlow SY8 1BG or

2 By Bacs or internet banking to "Ludlow Twinning Association", Sort code 20-53-22 Account number: 90533866

We do hope that you decide to join us.

Grace Wilkins: 07990 526203

 Apres Vous is the next film at the Blue Boar, 7th February, 7.30 start

 

Just to remind you......the French will be arriving on Wednesday 8^th May at around 5 pm at the Brewery and leaving on Sunday 12^th May around 8 am. 

We will be having our meal at St Lawrences Church, Friday evening.

Happy New Year

Film at the Blue  Boar, 3rd January, starts 19.30. Le Diner de Cons. Fee free but donations welcome.