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Newsletter 175 - June 2002

In this issue:

• Twelve Months in the Planning
• The French Connection
• Weather or not?
• And the Mayor Came Too
• Why?
• So Thank You...
• Thanks to
• Thanks to everyone who helped with the party!
• A Trip Along the Coast

Twelve Months in the Planning

It was 2 pm on Saturday 2nd June 2001 when nine members of the Society sat down round a table and started to plan a party.

A year and a day, and a lot of hard work later the plans became reality.

The French Connection

One of the earliest decisions made by the organising committee was to invite musicians from France to help us celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee by playing at the party.

On the Sunday 2nd June 33 French visitors arrived by ferry at Newhaven. At a reception in the Chartwell Room on top of the Metropole Hotel, they were welcomed by Society chairman Roger Hinton.

After a meal provided by the Regency Restaurant they enjoyed the warm evening air and saw Brighton as its best as they strolled along the pier and watched the fireworks.

Hosts families provided overnight accommodation. The next day, after a lunch at the French Church in Queensbury Mews the band set up on the green and entertained us with a splendid variety of music.

Weather or not?

In the days leading up to the party the forecasters were very cagey about what the weather would be like.

The morning was mercifully calm and fine. As the day progressed it became windier and cooler, with even a short shower - but we had started, so we carried on.

And during the next few days, grey skies and heavy rain, proved just how lucky we had been!

And the Mayor Came Too

The Mayor, Cllr David Watkins and the Mayoress Sheila Levenson joined us, wearing their splendid chains of office. The Mayor welcomed the French visitors. Madame Maude Massuger replied on behalf of the Mayor of Dieppe and the band played the French National Anthem.

Society Chairman, Roger Hinton, then called for three cheers for the Queen and the Band played "God Save the Queen".

Why?

And what was the point? Let's face it, the Queen didn't know anything about our efforts and certainly couldn't hear our cheers.

The main point was surely to get people together and to prove that although we live in the centre of a large city we are a real Community.

Just look at the list over the page of people who helped in so many ways and you will see that, if that was the aim, then the party was a great success.

So Thank You...

...to everyone who helped. Below is a reminder of the local businesses and organisations which contributed to the success of the party.

And over the page is a list of the many individuals who played a part.

Thanks to

The Regency Restaurant for providing a meal for the French Visitors

The Brighton French Protestant Church for allowing us to use their building

The Brighton Hilton Metropole Hotel for giving us the use of the Chartwell Room and lending us 80 chairs and 14 tables with tablecloths

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Organisation for the loan of catering equipment

Hoverspeed and Transmanche Ferries for providing free passage for the French visitors

Brighton and Hove French Circle for help with arrangements for the French visitors

Thanks to everyone who helped with the party!

Adam Francis, setting up
Alan Hinton, setting up
Ambrose Simons, transport
Andrew Walker, organising committee
Avril Walker, refreshments
Barry, bar
Basil Parker, parking
Bernie Lowery, host
Brian Foster, setting up
Brian Smith, photos
Catherine Crosier, Metropole
Cathrina Tappin, bottle draw
Catrina (Franklins), parking for Orchestra's van
Clive Buxton, organising committee
David, bar
Diana Dunn, organising committee
Don, setting up
Frank Orna-Omstein, host
Gail Simons, donation
Geof Pygall, donation
Gil Forte, host
Hector Perez, bar
Henrietta, Metropole
Janet White, host
Janet Garner, host
Janina Liu, amusements
Jean-Claude Langlois, liaison with Dieppe
Jennie Hinton, amusements
Jenny Bennet, bottle draw
John Clinton, host
John Gavin, transport
John Loveridge, host
John Gamer, host
Joyce Chester, host
Laura Phelan, host
Lesley Proctor, catering
Linda Adams, Mayor's office
Lisa Williams, refreshments
Lynn Williams, refreshments
Maggie Loveridge, host
Margaret Monod, host
Marie Young, host
Maude Massuger, liaison with Dieppe
Mavis, refreshments
Mel and Janet, Brighton and Hove Council
Mick Paskins, amusements
Miss Forrester, donation
Mr and Mrs Cross, donation
Mr and Mrs Healey, donation
Mrs Balchin, donation
Pam Orna-Ornstein, host
Neil Bibby, host
Nigel, bar
Norma Williams, catering
Oonagh Barlow, setting up
Paul Starling, setting up
Pete Lyons, catering equipment
Phyl Edwards, catering
Richard Barlow, setting up
Roger Hinton, organising committee
Ron Bakere, organising committee
Ros Boulden, catering
Shoshana Foster, setting up
Sidonie Williams, bottle draw
Simon Andrew, organising committee
Steve Leineweber, donation
Sue Morgan, Mayor's office
Sue Paskins, organising committee
Susan Foster, setting up
Suzanne Hinton, organising committee
Tony Forte, host
Tony Lowery, host
Traude Tappin, organising committee
Trix Webber, host
Uwen Rogers, Metropole Hotel Duty Operations Manager

Lots of people helped in more ways than one - only one activity is shown for each person.

A Trip Along the Coast

We have organised a boat trip along the coast from Brighton Marina to Hove. It takes about an hour and gives you a very different view of the town.

It will be at 6pm on Saturday 3rd August. The cost is £6 per person.

Places are limited. If you would like to come, send your name, telephone number and payment to Ros Boulden, 8 Abbotts, 129 Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2FA. (Payments by cash or cheque payable to Regency Square Area Society please).

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