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A ‘Happy Race’ and a Joyful Reunion: Lewes AC’s French Exchange Weekend
Another successful exchange has come to an end, culminating in the Lewes 10 Downland race on Sunday, 5th October.
Although not part of the official Lewes-Blois twinning, the link with Marolles came about through Blois AS. They felt that a smaller athletics club like Marolles was more appropriate as a twinned club, given the relative size of Lewes AC at the time, back in 1984.
From athletics to artillery — AS Marolles swap running shoes for history lessons at Newhaven Fort!
A fun-packed weekend began with our French guests and host families enjoying a guided visit to Newhaven Fort, then a fine pub lunch at the Abergavenny Arms, Rodmell, finishing off with an evening at the Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium, a first for most people.
We were interested to learn that Greyhound racing is licensed in only 8 countries worldwide, and France isn’t one of them!
The Sunday ‘Lewes 10’ downland race, as always, was impeccably organised thanks to Lewes AC members, in particular Gerard Dummett, Race Director, and his team, and, equally importantly, Anne Hagan and her team on the homemade refreshments stall. One of the French party remarked that it was a very ‘happy race’ as everyone was so friendly. The conditions were perfect, and it passed off without mishap.
Lewes AC and AS Marolles share good food and great company at the Abergavenny Arms, Rodmell
On Sunday evening, we gathered at the South Downs YHA in Beddingham to hear Peter Masters talk about how the accommodation and outdoor activity centre came into being.
This was followed by an entertaining Anglo-French quiz masterminded by Lewes AC’s Stéphanie Crespin. Did you know how much cheese the average French person eats in a year? 26 to 27kg according to the French Ministère de l’Agriculture. Even the French were taken aback!
Many thanks to Ian Hilder for organising the programme and keeping us in order! The return leg takes place in April 2026.
By Maria Birch