Somborne Gourmets enjoy a Taste of France Saturday 9th February saw the village hall decorated with tricolour flags and tables set with flowers and candles as the French Twinning Association hosted the annual dinner. This dinner has become a feature of the village calendar during the month of February when the committee and members attempt to brighten up a dark winter's evening by serving a typical French 4-course dinner. On arrival, our guests were welcomed at the door with an apéritif and then circulated and chatted with fellow guests until it was time to sit down. This year the menu started with salade niçoise, followed by cassoulet of lamb, cheese and salad and finished with lemon tart. As is usual with French meals, conversation and wine flowed while the meal proceeded at a leisurely pace. This delicious dinner was followed by coffee and a raffle. We have visits every other year from our French village, Saint Paul du Vernay, and we visit them in alternate years. This year it is our turn to visit them which we hope to do in June. Saint Paul is a typical Normandy village about the same distance from Bayeux as we are from Winchester. The visits last a week-end, leaving on Friday and returning on Sunday. We always receive a warm welcome and are taken on a group visit to a place of local interest on the Saturday. The Twinning Association always welcomes new members. If you are interested in joining us this year on our visit, please contact Wendy Hartley 388742, Sue Jackson 388884 or Mary Bradley 388386 | 
