Cancer Support France

Since November last year, we have been developing a new website, with the valuable aid of a small web design company, Pixel Point Design. We hope that the appearance and layout improves your experience of visiting us online. Our primary aims were to:

• Update the site to reflect the latest website design practices
• Attract more visitors who in turn, gain more from their visit
• Continue to fulfil our fundamental purpose and ethos, catering to our key audiences

We would very much appreciate hearing your views and any suggestions you have for improvement. The website will evolve further over time, I am sure, and your input will help us to continually improve what it offers.

Please end your thoughts via our contact form, or directly to: . Any email you send will be responded to. We look forward to hearing from you.

The Phoenix Auto Moto Club held their Summer Fete in Désertines on 30th June. Cancer Support France Nord had been invited by the car club to attend. Fortunately, the day dawned a little cooler than it had been of late and we all gathered at the venue to start setting up. Elliotts Butchers, Gorron were already there cooking the Hog Roast – they must have had a very early start – the smell of the cooking was amazing.

The event opened at 11am. There were many classic and vintage cars and motorcycles displayed, and a prize was awared later in the day for the best in show. Entertainment was provided by the Red Lion Morris Dancers and Live Music from Annie & Sarah. We really enjoyed the event, the weather was kind, the food excellent and the entertainment rounded off the perfect day. The Red Lion Morris Dancers collected donations for CSF Nord of €216 this included a €60 donation from Elliots. The CSF Nord stall was also selling cakes, plants and jams etc and raised a further €160. A HUGE thank you to everyone for all their efforts it is very much appreciated and this much-needed money will be used to help those affected by cancer in our community.

On Saturday 6th October, we held an Auction and Curry Evening to raise money but also as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  The weather was terrible but despite the wind and the rain, over eighty people came to support us.  After a three course meal cooked by our volunteers, the auctioneer took to the stage and the Auction began.  All of the items in the Auction had been donated during the previous few weeks.  The bidding started slowly but soon the audience rose to the occasion.  It was a fantastic evening, enjoyed by all.

7pm on the dot, the teams started to arrive for the Cancer Support France Nord Quiz Evening. Seven teams competed to see who the winner on the night would be and to see which team would be in last place and receive the coveted wooden spoons. Martin, our quiz master for the evening, had prepared six rounds of fiendish questions.

Silence fell on the room as the first questions were asked. After three rounds there was a welcome break for a delicious supper, prepared by Chris & Nick (many thanks). Then the quiz continued with an increase in the competitive banter. A fantastic evening was had by all.

Why not come along and join us for the next quiz in September.

Quiz Night – Day Centre Notre-Dame-du-Touchet

The doors opened at 7pm and the teams arrived eager to commence ‘battle’ to see who would be the winning team this time. The quiz master of the evening Nick, had prepared a challenging quiz and a hush fell on the room as the first round commenced. There was a welcome break after round three for a supper of Lasagne, follwed by Tiramisu. Whilst eating, the teams still continued to work on the table rounds. A great deal of friendly banter could be heard around the room as the teams competed with each other. After supper, a further three rounds and then a small delay whilst we waited for the winning team to be announced. The triumphant team are pictured below.

A quiz evening is held at the Day Centre every six weeks, why not come along to the next evening and see if you can be a member of the winning team.

The weather finally cheered up in time for the big event of the summer, Party in the Parc, on 11 June. Thanks to the generosity of the owner of the Parc at Saint-Symphorien-les-Monts, the Countess, we had the whole of the Parc to ourselves for this very popular event. We had craft stalls, fantastic food and drink, music from duo John and Paul, and carriage rides provided for us by the Countess. In the end, 99 tickets were sold and we had to turn people away who turned up on spec. Most importantly, the event made a significant contribution to CSF Nord funds.

As part of the National initiative ‘Activity for Life’, Cancer Support France Nord held two events: –

BBQ

24 people enjoyed a BBQ. on Saturday the 17th of September at the home of Peter Dickie in Geffosses (North of Coutances).

They had a selection of meats together with salad & vegetables and some very nice desserts (the desserts were not suitable for people who restricted calorie intake), copious amounts of wine were drunk and the event seemed to be enjoyed by everyone. The event was organised and happened to spread the word about Cancer Support France. Also the “weather gods” were kind to us, despite the fact that the attendees were seated inside in case of heavy rain which did not materialise.

Peter was disappointed that because of limited space a large number of people were not able to attend; advertising had to be halted early. It shows the awareness of Cancer Support France in the area. Many people who attended had had cancer and are keen to assist others.

Knitathon

On 24th September, the Sponsored Knit took place, kindly hosted by Stephanie of La Maison des Beaux Cadeaux in Gorron.

During the day a number of knitters came in and knitted for a time, assisted by supplies of coffee and cake. The Cancer Support France awareness stand was set up outside the shop, to allow the knitters inside maximum space. Those manning the stand saw it as an opportunity to take part, so were sat outside knitting, much to the amusement of passing traffic!

People who were unable to take part on the day collected wool and were knitting at home. The French also entered into the spirit of the event and took part, either at home or came along on the day.

So far, approx. 150 squares have been knitted and some already made into a blanket.

Thank you to all those who supported the event, either by taking part, donating wool, sponsoring those who knitted or by making a donation.

Wow!  What a fantastic night this was.  For those of you who weren’t able to go, you missed a real treat.  A group of highly talented friends decided to ‘put on a show’ as a fundraiser for Cancer Support France.

I happen to know how much work and time, and dedication went into putting this show together.  The highly entertaining programme was, as you would expect, popular songs from Broadway shows.  The cast and crew had put together a stage complete with wings and backdrops, and it all looked extremely professional.

I can’t name everyone individually, but thank you so much to ALL of you for your time, effort, enthusiasm and talent.  Not only was it a highly entertaining evening but over €1,000 was raised for CSF.  Well Done Everyone involved!

Well, who would have thought it. It took quite a bit of organising, didn’t it! All those splendid items, all donated, and so well displayed too. The committee sure pushed the boat out this time – from holidays and weekends away to champagne, glasses, water colours and golf clubs. I think I remember half a pig going under the hammer. That just shows the variety; you never know quite what to expect but that’s the fun of auctions.

Food was served plus drinks as well… Good waitress service, food arrived in rather natty paper bags – most original I thought… Handy nibbles inside, so no washing up… Note to self, good idea!!!

We were all seated in the Pavilion, every chair occupied, and with the gavel raised, all were silent… The moment we had all been waiting for had arrived… Let the scrum begin and we’re off… What am I bid for this very first item? Let’s start at 15 euros said the auctioneer… Bidding had begun, fast and furious… As the lots progressed, it was apparent that it was going to be an excellent night and fundraiser for CSF… It was too, approximately €1800 was received that evening… Mind you, one or two of the bidders looked as if they were old hands and perhaps were auction season ticket holders… What would we do without them?

We’d all had an enjoyable afternoon. We were lucky enough to hold our function in the beautiful grounds of the Animal Park in Saint-Symphorien-des-Monts by kind invitation of the Countess… What it is to have friends who enjoy sharing their lovely gardens, thank you… Yet another surprise was by a small orchestra who played most of the afternoon… I’d forgotten what a brass band sounds like… (I remember it rather as everything puffing and blowing all at the same time)

So thanks to the Countess, the ever so hard working committee and those wonderful ladies who do food, Not to mention those who put their hands up during the bidding, and dug deep in their pockets; we all had a very enjoyable afternoon and evening.