1996 – 1997: During the Third Convention, Franck and Ailsa Venables proposed a school exchange with St Mary’s School in Amersham. The Gilbert de Venables Cultural Centre and the teaching team led by Emmanuel and Joëlle Caillé responded favourably, with the support of parents, not only for their children to go to Great Britain, but also to host two English schoolchildren. In order to finalise all the details of this exchange, Joëlle, Emmanuel Caillé and Catherine Bouvier travelled to Amersham in February 1997. Crossing the Channel on 11 April 1997, the journey from Le Havre to Portsmouth, although long, was wonderful. It was an opportunity for the children to leave their families and take a boat trip for the first time. As soon as they disembarked, the ‘Venabloise colony’ headed to Brighton to discover the Royal Pavilion with its exotic architecture and the lively seafront on this beautiful day. Finally, the time for the meeting arrived: tired but happy, the French schoolchildren were welcomed by their British counterparts, and everyone gathered for a snack before listening to Roy’s words of welcome. Then the children left to join their host families for their first taste of life in England.
1998: Preparations were made to welcome the children from Amersham. Parents, members of the Municipal Council, members of CCGVenables and teachers joined forces to prepare for the Whitsun weekend. On Saturday 17 May, all the pupils gathered in the school playground to wait for their pen pals. Finally, the crowd of schoolchildren rushed to welcome the young English visitors, who were somewhat tired after such a long journey. After putting their luggage in a safe place, they were invited to have a snack in the mobile classroom, where fruit juice and cakes prepared by the parents awaited them. Everyone then went to their host families to settle in and get some rest. Then, at 8 p.m., everyone gathered at the village hall to enjoy a meal prepared by the mothers of the ACSV team. This was an opportunity for a few words of welcome and an interesting exchange between the children and adults… The next day, gathered in the mobile hall, the pupils were treated to a history lesson prepared by Catherine and Emmanuel. In addition, the pupils received a folder containing information and games relating to the monuments visited during the day. Château-Gaillard, steeped in Anglo-Norman history. Mortemer and its abbey, steeped in legend, where a crêpe meal awaited their ravenous appetites. In the afternoon, a visit to a beautiful 17th-century castle where the children were able to admire a magnificent collection of antique dolls and toys. The l
2000-2001: Following these initial exchanges, conversations began online between Patrick Lequette, Deputy Mayor and Administrator of the Cultural Centre, and T.J. Strickland, Director for Gifford and Consultant for the Historical Heritage of Middlewich. These initial conversations focused on the shared historical past of the two communities.
29 March to 1 April 2002. Trip to England: Some Venablois residents travelled to London to meet the English Venables families. We were welcomed in Portsmouth by Robert Venables, then in London by Ailsa, Frank Venables and Fiona (our guide) for a tour of the capital. Fiona showed us the main monuments and picturesque neighbourhoods of London. We watched the changing of the guard and walked through St James’s Park, where squirrels came to eat out of our hands. The afternoon was spent visiting the Tower of London, where the past comes alive with every step and the crown jewels sparkle in all their glory. The Venables families organised an excellent evening. Speeches, songs and toasts punctuated this unforgettable evening. Sunday 31 March: we explored the streets of the university city of Oxford, guided by our British friends. Renowned colleges, old houses and sites steeped in history were a feast for our eyes. After crossing the lush green English countryside, we arrived in the spa town of Bath. This time, our guide Hélène gave us a detailed explanation of the town’s development and its world-famous architectural style (the town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site). At 4 p.m., we set off for the Avon plain, where the megalithic site of Stonehenge stands. These stones, erected by human hands since the dawn of time, invite us to m
2 and 3 April 2005: Reception in Venables for Tim J. Strickland, Director for Gifford, and his wife Rosie. This visit reinforced the desire to continue promoting cultural exchanges between the two communities. Tim is a researcher who specialises in the Gallo-Roman period. The Middlewich area is rich in remains from this period. Queen Elizabeth II personally awarded Tim a high distinction for his energy and work on various archaeological research projects undertaken by his association.
Why Middlewich? This town of 7,000 inhabitants is located in northern England, near Manchester in the county of Cheshire. The link between our two communities is Gilbert de Venables, which takes us back to the 11th century and 1066, when Gilbert, who owned the fiefdom of Venables, enlisted in the army of the Duke of Normandy alongside his neighbours William and Hugh de la Mare and Raoul II de Tosny. William the Conqueror, as promised, granted lands to those who had followed him. Gilbert inherited the County of Kinderton, located near Middlewich. William de la Mare was killed at Hastings, and Hugh received an estate north of Middlewich. Raoul de Tosny received five estates in the counties of Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Norfolk. This first meeting highlighted the historical links between the two communities and the desire of both parties to join forces and work together on a project to promote and enhance our shared history.
9 and 10 July 2005: Reception in Venables for William ‘Chalky’ White, Mayor of Middlewich, and his wife Allison, as well as Jonathan Williams, Secretary General of Middlewich Town Council, and his sister Philippa. This visit confirmed the desire of elected representatives from both communities to initiate a process of cultural exchange. At the request of the Mayor of Middlewich, the afternoon was devoted to a visit to the town of Vernon. It should be noted that the current Baron of Kinderton is a descendant of Gilbert de Venables. The ancestors of the Vernon family also accompanied William the Conqueror in 1066 and settled in Cheshire.
On Sunday morning, Mr Jean-Marie Drouet, Mayor of Venables, officially welcomed his English counterpart to the Town Hall. After speeches and signing the guest book, discussions began to outline the framework for our future cultural ties in the areas of education and community associations.
17-18 Septembre 2005 : Norman Festival de Middlewich : Du 17 et 18 septembre 2005, Middlewich a organisé le « Norman festival », dans le cadre de l’héritage Normand sur le sol Anglais et en particulier dans le comté du Cheshire. Pour commémorer ces événements historiques, des familles Venables ainsi qu’une délégation de la commune de Venables furent invités à ce festival. Sept représentants Venablois s’y rendirent, sous la conduite de Patrick Lequette, promoteur des relations entre le village et les familles Venables et de Jean-Marie Drouet, Maire. Ils reçurent un accueil particulièrement chaleureux. Un week-end bien rempli par la visite détaillée du site de la ville conduite et commentée par le Mayor Williams « Chalky » White en personne. Les Festivités ont débuté en présence d’un nombreux public malgré une météo mitigée. Une parade costumée précéda l’ouverture officielle du festival par le maire de Middlewich, et en présence du descendant direct de Gilbert de Venables et Lord Vernon actuel baron de Kinderton. Durant ces deux jours des acteurs professionnels ont produit un spectacle haut en couleur de joutes médiévales, tournois, fauconnerie, reconstitution de bataille sur le thème de la guerre entre les Normands et les Saxons et un grand marché médiéval. Samedi soir, une réception chaleureuse a été tout spécialement organisée en l’honneur des Venablois et des familles Venables. Nous ne pouvons que féliciter les organisateurs et en particulier Jonathan Williams secrétaire général du Town Council de Middlewich. Pendant les 2 jours du festival, les Venablois ont tenu un stand, avec une documentation et un diaporama présentant notre village, son historique et son environnement actuel, permettant de répondre aux attentes des Venables anglais sur leur passé et leur héritage normand, des œuvres artistiques de notre patrimoine réalisées à Venables par des Venabloises ainsi que quelques échantillons de nos célèbres fromages furent tout particulièrement appréciés. Le Dimanche matin lors d’une cérémonie religieuse nous avons retrouvé avec plaisir les familles Venables qui sont de vieilles connaissances car elles ont déjà participé aux rencontres internationales des familles Venables organisées tous les 5 ans à Venables. La visite de l’église nous a permis de découvrir que bien d’autres familles Normandes se sont implantées dans le Cheshire après 1066. Des discussions ont été menées sur la future Convention des Venables qui doit se déroulera du 13 au 16 juillet 2006 et à laquelle participera Middlewich. Ces deux journées nous ont permis d’étudier en commun, la mise en place d’échanges qui pourront permettre aux Venablois de développer des contacts enrichissants non seulement avec les descendants de Gilbert de Venables, mais également avec les habitants de Middlewich. Des liens d’amitié pourront se tisser et donner lieu à des échanges.
2008 : Deuxième participation d’une délégation Venabloise au Norman Festival de Middlewich. Publication du livre « Normans at Middlewich and Venables » écrit conjointement par Tim Strickland et Patrick Lequette. Accrochage de la tapisserie réalisée conjointement par les enfants de Middlewich et de Venables retraçant la vie de Gilbert de Venables sur le sol de chaque communauté. Visite de l’école Sainte Anne de Middlewich pour évoquer la possibilité d’échanges scolaires avec l’école élémentaire de Venables.
Meeting on 25 and 26 February 2006 in Venables: Tim Strickland, Director of GIFFORD and Partner, historical heritage consultant for Middlewich Town Council. Jonathan Williams, Secretary General of Middlewich Town Council. Patrick Lequette, Deputy Mayor, Administrator of the Gilbert de Venables Cultural Centre. Francis Meyer Councillor and representative of Venables Municipal Council Four items were on the agenda:
- Defining the means of historical exchange between the two communities
- Participation of the Town of Middlewich in the 5th convention
- Reflections on Venables’ proposals for future exchanges
- Drafting of the Cultural Exchange Charter.
13 to 17 July 2011: 5th Venables Family World Convention: Mayor Jean-Marie Drouet officially welcomed the Venables families and a delegation of 14 people, led by Jane Eton, Mayor of Middlewich, Jonathan Williams, Secretary General of Middlewich Town Council, and Tim Strickland, Director of GIFFORD and Partner, on the steps of the town hall. The ceremony continued in the village hall, in the presence of official representatives from our region, including MP François Loncle and Mr Jean-Luc Recher, President of the E.M.S. Community of Communes. The speeches and presentation of gifts were followed by a reception, served on the sun-drenched esplanade of the village hall.
On Sunday 16 July, in a more formal setting but in a relaxed and serene atmosphere, delegations from Venables and Middlewich gathered to attend a mass officiated by Father Deloger and accompanied by music from Ailly. The Charities of Venables, Villers sur le Roule, Ailly and Tosny donned their ceremonial costumes for the occasion. At 11 a.m., Jeanne Ethon, Mayor of Middlewich, and Jean-Marie Drouet, Mayor of Venables, signed the official Friendship Charter between our two municipalities.
13 to 16 July 2011: 6th Venables World Family Convention: Jean-Marie Drouet officially welcomed all participants in front of the Town Hall. Patrick Lequette, Administrator of the Cultural Centre, opened the 6th convention in the presence of Mr François Loncle, Member of Parliament, and Mr Jean-Rémi Ermont, General Councillor. Isabelle Clermont, President of the ACSV, presented welcome gifts to the Venables families and the Middlewich delegation. On 16 July, in a more formal setting but in a relaxed and serene atmosphere, the delegations from Venables and Middlewich gathered to attend a mass officiated by Father Deloger and accompanied by music from Ailly. The Charities of Venables, Villers sur le Roule, Ailly and Tosny donned their ceremonial costumes for the occasion. At 11 a.m., Jeanne Ethon, Mayor of Middlewich, and Jean-Marie Drouet, Mayor of Venables, signed the official Friendship Charter between our two municipalities.
13 to 16 July 2016: 7th Venables World Family Convention
A team of 45 people led by Patrick Lequette, Mayor of Venables, worked hard for several months to welcome guests bearing the village’s name for the 7th time. They came from England, Ireland, the United States, Canada and Australia, as well as a delegation from Middlewich. For this event, 18 families from Venables were involved in providing accommodation for the Venables families.
27 June to 1 July 2023: 8th World Convention of Families Venables
Since 1986, the Convention has been held every five years, but Covid prevented travel and gatherings across the globe. The long-awaited 8th Convention was finally held in July 2023, to everyone’s delight. At 3 p.m., the first Venables families and a delegation from Middlewich arrived at the reception. A tea room was open, offering drinks and cakes, allowing for initial chats and unexpected encounters with new members of the large Venables family. The blue sky and sunshine were unable to join in the official welcome ceremony, and it was amid a guard of honour and applause from the Venables that the families were welcomed into the school buildings, which had been decorated for the occasion in Gilbert’s colours. Patrick Lequette, President of the CCGV, welcomed the families to the land of their famous ancestor and declared the 8th Venables Family Convention open. Jean-Marie Drouet, Honorary Mayor, gave a moving speech on the history of the Conventions, and Joris Benier, Mayor of Les Trois Lacs, affirmed on his own behalf and that of the elected officials present the new municipality’s attachment to the cultural character and continuity of the event.