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The Book Fair : a success

For the 13th time since 2010, our Association organized its traditional Book Fair on July 14, 15 & 16, in the multi-purpose hall in the commune of Tocqueville. Nearly 400 visitors came to browse through the more than 7,000 books on display, and score a bargain thanks to the low prices on offer. This year, sales broke all records, confirming the interest shown in this event. All this is only possible thanks to the dedication of the Association’s volunteers, for which we would like to express our heartfelt thanks.

Profits from this event add to the funds raised by the Association to help the commune of Tocqueville continue restoration work on the church. These will resume in October this year, and last an estimated 8 months. The work will focus on combating damp and, in particular, will involve completely redoing the floors of the nave and chapels.

Don’t forget the next event on Saturday July 29, a walk « In the footsteps of Alexis de Tocqueville ». It’s a 7km walk around Tocqueville, with commentaries on the life of the village and that of its most illustrious inhabitant. Parking and departure at 2pm, allée du château ; snack offered on arrival. Participation is €5 per person (free for children under 12).

2023 General Assembly

Our General Assembly was held on Saturday 22 April. It was opened by our President Denis ONFROY who, as a preamble, paid tribute to the memory of Jean Pierre WICART, who passed away last March; he was the first treasurer of the Association, and created the Book Fair, organised every year since 2010.

Our President then recalled the close and constructive relationship that has always existed between the Association and the Municipality represented by Chantal DUCOURET, Mayor and member of the Board of Directors.

He welcomed Jean Pierre HUSSON, the departmental delegate of the “Fondation du Patrimoine”, who had come to sign a financing agreement with the Commune of Tocqueville for the current programme of work. His presence confirms the constant support of the “Fondation du Patrimoine” for the preservation and restoration of the church, undertaken by the Commune with the support of our Association created in 2009.

The General Assembly continued with a reminder of the work already carried out for an amount of €260,000 , with the repair of the roof of the church and the bell tower, the restoration of the stained glass windows, the installation of new interior lighting, the restoration of the listed painting “The Sacrifice of Abraham”, the restoration of the high altar with its altarpiece and its large painting “The Resurrection”.
A new programme, dedicated to major sanitation work to combat humidity in the walls and floor of the church, has been estimated at €200,000 . After agreement on the subsidies requested, it should start late 2023 and finish in 2024.

In 2022, the Association, which has about sixty members, organised its traditional events, which will be repeated this year: Book Fair on 14, 15 & 16 July and the discovery walk “In the footsteps of Alexis de Tocqueville” on Saturday 29 July.

In accordance with the statutes, one third of the 12 members of the Board of Directors were renewed. The Board then renewed the bureau: Denis Onfroy, President; Jean Guillaume de Tocqueville, Vice-President; Pierre Anthouard, Secretary; Martine Le Flamanc, Treasurer; Martine Lemoigne, Deputy Treasurer; Jean François Halley and Stéphane Le Flamanc, members.
All this church restoration project cannot be undertaken without aid, in particular from the State, the Department, the Cotentin Agglomeration Community, the “Fondation du Patrimoine” and your donations.

The website dedicated to the Tocqueville church project: www.fondation-patrimoine.org/2244 allows you to make online donations.
You will find on this site the Membership form for 2023; the annual subscription remains 5€. This form also allows you to make a donation directly to the Association.

Chantal Ducouret et Jean-Pierre Husson signent la convention de financement

At the end of the General Assembly, Chantal DUCOURET, mayor of Tocqueville and Jean-Pierre HUSSON, departmental delegate of the “Fondation du Patrimoine”, signed the financing agreement.