Devon Twinning Circle

UPPER CULM TWINNING ASSOCIATION

VISIT TO FRANCE MAY 2012 Over the Spring Bank Holiday members of the Upper Culm Twinning Association made their biennial visit to our Twinning

partners in France. For those of you who are not familiar with the association, we are twinned with a group of villages in the

Loire Valley about halfway between Nantes and Angers.

Forty one Upper Culm residents, including several new members, enjoyed a superb weekend of French hospitality. Thirty seven

of us travelled aboard our coach, hired from Redwoods, whilst four members travelled independently. We left Hemyock on

Thursday evening for the overnight ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff arriving in France at around 8a.m. We followed the coastal

route down through Brittany, heading for the harbour town of Vannes on the Gulf of Morbihans. We had plenty of time in

Vannes to explore the town and take a leisurely lunch before continuing our journey south towards our destination in the Loire

Valley.

Our hosts had arranged a traditional welcome reception at the community hall in the village of St.Herblon. Thanks to our driver,

John of Redwoods, we arrived on time and were served with a snack of chouxquettes accompanied by local wine. After the usual

short welcoming speeches everyone met up with their host families and then dispersed to spend the evening with them.

The following morning we all met up for a day trip to Nantes. Our day started with a guided visit to “Les Machines de L’ile de

Nantes”. It is difficult to describe this surreal and spectacular experience! The district of Ile de Nantes is the old shipbuilding and

warehousing area of the city, which is undergoing substantial regeneration. The central feature of this regeneration is “Les

Machines”; gigantic sculptural automatons constructed in metal and carved wood. There are sea monsters, giant birds, carousels

and perhaps most spectacular of all, a huge mobile elephant, 12 metres tall and weighing 50 tons. Many of the designs are

inspired by the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci and the fantasies of Jules Verne. Everyone found the visit fascinating. After lunch

we were free to explore the city with its attractive medieval quarter, castle and cathedral.

On Saturday evening we were treated to a celebration dinner with music and dancing at the hall in the village of Pouille les

Coteaux. A significant feature of the meal was “fougasse”, local, rustic flat bread served with a variety of fillings such as pates

and vegetable dishes. Perhaps for some of us, the local wines served with the meal were more significant!

On Sunday during the day we enjoyed the hospitality of our host families. A wide variety of activities had been laid on for us.

For example, some of us were taken to Angers; others went to local markets, went walking along the banks of the Loire and took

in local sporting events.

Our return journey on Monday was via Caen and Portsmouth. On the way to we stopped for the customary visit to a Carrefours

hypermarket. We had a very smooth crossing to Portsmouth and despite the efforts of the UK Border agency to demonstrate their

staff shortages we were not too badly delayed. Everyone had enjoyed a superb weekend and we look forward to welcoming our

French friends on their visit to us next Spring.

Bideford visit to Landivisiau June 2012

Our visit to Landivisiau this year, began on Friday 18

th May at 3.45am on the Pill to await the coach which was to take us all to

Plymouth to catch the 8am ferry to Roscoff. The ferry arrived in Roscoff at approximately 2pm. Whilst at sea, your committee

conducted its first meeting afloat.

We were met in Landivisiau by our hosts and after the customary greetings and renewal of friendships we all moved into Salle

Quégenier where we were individually photographed with our respective hosts for a souvenir picture.

Home to Home

Autumn 2012 Issue

We all met again later at Le Salle du Capucins where we enjoyed a convivial evening eating freshly made galettes with assorted

savoury fillings, followed by pancakes with sweet fillings. Many of our hosts were dressed in traditional Breton Costume, the

ladies wearing the coiffe, and the gents with their Breton hats.

On Saturday time was spent en famille and after lunch

we all gathered at Place Jeanne d’Arc where we boarded

coaches and were taken to Brest to visit Oceanapolis

Aquarium, which was quite fascinating to see all the

various sea creatures on display in their tanks. The

guided tour took most of the afternoon and then we were preparing ourselves for the civic reception at the Mairie for speeches and

the reaffirmation and the signing of the charter between our two towns which was originally signed some thirty five years ago.

After this event we attended the official dinner at Salle du Vallon where a splendid, if somewhat lengthy dinner was enjoyed

interspersed by music and dancing. I am sure a good time was had by all.

On Sunday everyone headed off to Brest again, this time in our host’s cars. We headed to the harbour where we were to board

L’Azenor for lunch and cruise around the Brest harbour area. Each table was named after lighthouses which are on the Breton

coast, and were depicted on a tile which was decorated by Denis Delarche who painted the picture of the lighthouses, and Annick

Daniel who wrote the inscription on each tile. At the end of the meal lots were drawn and a member of each table received the tile

as a memento. Our gift to our hosts was a large framed photograph of Bideford looking down river during an evening in 2010

when we had snow. It was very well received.

Sunday evening we spent with our host families and Monday morning we were up and off

Bideford Twinning Association. From Janet Sargent

During the past few months we have been quite active socially.

Posh Nosh was the theme for a lovely 5 course meal at the home of one of our members who lives out towards

Hartland with a lovely view of Bideford Bay and the spectacular sunset we saw that evening.

The next event was our annual BBQ at the home of another member. The weather stayed dry and we had a good time.

Our major event was receiving our French friends for the weekend of 24-27th August.

On Saturday morning we held a civic reception at Bideford Town Hall where we had drinks and nibbles and were

entertained by the Town Band. In the evening we had our formal dinner at Broomhill Art Hotel.

Sunday was picnic time and afterwards we went to Arlington Court to visit the house and grounds, and that evening

saw us at Woolsery Village Hall taking part in a games evening with supper afterwards.

Our next gathering will be a Treasure Hunt and in November we will be organising a wine tasting evening.

Queen’s visit to Crewekerne Report from Cheryl Newman.

We were very honoured to be invited to put a stand in the Victoria Hall in Crewekerne for the Queens visit. This is Bette Lumbard our Treasurer and Diana Dyke our Vice Chairperson. The Royal couple stopped and spoke to them asking questions about the exchange. Cheryl Newman was invited as one of the towns honoured citizens so was in the greeting party.

Bishopsteignton All over too soon!

“It was all over too soon!” This was the verdict of both the French and British twinners, as Bishopsteignton hosts

bade a fond farewell to their guests from La Roche Maurice in Brittany on Monday, 28th May.

The weekend had proved just the right mix of formal events and free time to relax “en famille”. And the weather had

been superb, yet again.

After a late arrival in Bishopsteignton on the Friday night, the French were relieved to learn it was not too early a start

on Saturday morning for their trip to Historic Exeter. This year no fewer than 15 French children took part in the visit,

so Bishopsteignton Twinning Association made it a priority to keep them amused throughout the weekend. While the

adults were learning about Exeter’s Quayside and visiting the antique shops by the Exe, their offspring were enjoying

all the thrills of the new “Clip and Climb” facility nearby. Both children and grown-ups then came together for a

picnic on the Cathedral Green before going their separate ways again in the afternoon … the adults on a guided tour of

the city by the Red Coats, and the children to the Underground Passages.

It was left up to hosts how they entertained their visitors on Saturday evening and Sunday daytime, although the

committee did arrange a two-hour guided walk through the village of Shaldon. From the Ness, the group strolled to

the quintessentially English Village Green and then along the River Teign, enjoying views of Bishopsteignton on the

other side before returning to the Ness via the Botanic Gardens. The reward for their efforts was a Devon cream tea

(of course!)

The final event of the weekend was a Carvery and Disco at Teignmouth Golf Club, where almost everyone was up on

the floor dancing until nearly midnight.

All too soon it was Monday morning, and with cries of “au revoir” and “à l’année prochaine!” ringing in their ears,

the French left for Plymouth and their ferry back to Roscoff.

OTTERY ST. MARY TWINNING ASSOCIATION

After the national celebrations of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee weekend, the fun continues with events

planned for our association and its members during the rest of the year. Following the highly successful

visit to Ottery in May by 35 folk from Pont l’Évêque, we look forward to an equally enjoyable few days

later this month as a group of us travel to Ilsfeld, our German ‘twin’.

PONT L’EVEQUE VISITS OTTERY - MAY 2012

The pleas from the Ottery St. Mary Twinning Association in previous years for our twinning friends in Pont

L’Évêque to spend longer with us and to bring more young people were answered this year! A party of no

less than 35 arrived in Ottery on May 17th

for a stay of three nights, several of whom were experiencing a

twinning exchange for the first time. Host families had eventually been found for this unusually good

number, which included ten youngsters. The necessary introductions were rapidly completed after the coach

arrived at the Land of Canaan car park at 7pm and the visitors were taken off to their hosts’ homes for the

rest of the evening.

No formal activities were planned for the Friday, which gave hosts the opportunity to plan outings that best

suited their visitors. Many attended the Devon County Show at Westpoint, and those who did spoke most

enthusiastically about the variety of animal displays and competitions, the performances put on in the main

arena, and the general wealth of activities and attractions (food in particular was mentioned!) - there was

something for everyone! Others took their guests as far afield as Exmoor, Greenway House on the river Dart

and the Jurassic Coast.

Saturday morning saw nearly 40 hosts and guests gathering at Tucker’s Hall on Fore Street in Exeter. This

mediaeval hall was founded in 1490, and belongs to the Exeter Guild of Weavers, Fullers and Shearmen. It

will therefore be apparent that the Guild was formed by those involved in the burgeoning wool trade that

made Devon famous and prosperous between the 15th

and 19th

centuries. It is now open to the public much

more than heretofore, and everyone was amazed to hear of the history of this building - one of Exeter’s

little-known gems. The group was hosted by the Beadle, a man of many parts - administrator, caretaker, tour

guide, arranger of the periodic Guild (yes - it still exists today, albeit under a rather more social guise)

dinners, etc.

Whilst some perhaps relaxed, many spent the afternoon in Exeter, visiting the cathedral or other interesting

buildings and venues. A mention of shopping was also heard! Whatever the day’s activities had comprised,

everyone presented themselves at the Coachhouse restaurant at Escot for the traditional farewell dinner. It

was preceded by a reception at which Ottery’s Mayor, Councillor Glyn Dobson, addressed the whole group,

followed by short speeches from the Chairman of the Ottery Twining Association, Mark Rix, and the

President of the Pont L’Évêque Twinning, Mme. Bernadette Hélin. Excellent canapés were enjoyed, along

with a splendid glass of Pimms fruit cup. The dinner was a relaxed and happy event, with traditional English

dishes served.

With most of the bags packed onto the coach on Sunday morning and the final farewells being said, that

Famous French Fiddler Benoît Horvais got out his violin and music stand. He entertained everyone with a

number of well-known foot-tapping tunes, and it wasn’t long before a few intrepid dancers - ladies of course

- took to the floor. Both the gig and the whole visit ended on a high note! The comments heard from both

hosts and guests indicated that this had been a most successful and enjoyable exchange visit, and that

twinning could look forward to an assured future.

The summer, despite the appalling weather, has been as busy as usual. Ottery Twinners have been

particularly fortunate to have enjoyed spells of sunshine for each of our activities since the last edition of

this newsletter:

Our trip to Germany at the beginning of June coincided with a wonderfully hot few days, so lunches and

dinners out with our friends, the visit to spectacular Langenburg Castle and strolling around the food and

drink stalls of Ilsfeld’s ‘Mauerfest’ were a particular pleasure. The salt mine at Bad Friedrichshall took us

out of the daylight and into long, atmospheric passageways as we followed the history of salt mining on this

site from 1859 until the present day – fascinating!

Next year we shall celebrate 10 years since the signing in Ottery of the Ilsfeld-Ottery twinning charter. A

party from Ilsfeld will visit Ottery from 5th

– 9th

September 2013 – this will be a memorable visit of

celebration, so please enter these dates in your diary now.

Back home, our crêpe stall at West Hill Village Fête later in the month proved particularly popular as a

record crowd enjoyed an array of stalls and sideshows – profitable both for us and West Hill PTFA! (I hope

you noted that splendid photo of our team of cooks in the Ottery News!)

Rain during the day cleared in time for our Car treasure Hunt on July 7th

. Ro and Libby from last

year’s winning team had prepared a trail that took some 24 competitors in 6 cars around the highways and

byways of East Devon, finishing up with a fabulous supper at the ‘5 Bells’ in Clyst Hydon. Our thanks to

them for organising such an enjoyable evening and congratulations to all who participated

Kingsbridge Twinning Association Following the success of the last years 50th Anniversary celebrations in Kingsbridge thirty members of the Kingsbridge Twinning Association crossed the Channel on the 4th May this year in order to take part in our very own Jubilee celebrations in Normandy. Not on this occasion the Queens Diamond Jubilee but the second half of our own Golden Jubilee of 50 years Twinning with Isigny sur Mer home of the delicious Creme Fraiche, Camembert and caramels. Our hosts certainly laid on ‘the red carpet’ treatment. The celebrations began from the moment of arrival outside Le Mairie as we greeted old friends and new. Highlights of the programme included visits to the beautiful Swiss Normandy, an insider’s perspective on the lovely town hall (a former chateau) by Gerard Quesnel, Mayor of Isigny, as well as a heritage train ride to the delightful seaside town of Portbail. Cider and pancake tasting accompanied the tour of a miniature model railway. Calvados and camembert featured highly on the delicious menus especially at the Celebration Dinner. And all washed down by much toasting to the success of 50 years of Twinning in Kir Royale and exquisite wines. On the final day of the visit Helene Baisnee, President of the Isigny Group invited as many as possible of the Kingsbridge Twinners to attend the Armistice Day Memorial Service held on the 8th May. This was a very moving ceremony and we were privileged to be able to lay wreaths as Twin Towns together. As our Mayor, also a Twinner, was present he laid a wreath from the Town Council and another member who was involved in the liberation of France felt honoured to place his own contribution. “J’aime a revoir ma Normandie …” as the song goes (“I love to see my Normandy once more”) and we can’t wait until the next time!

Chard Helmstedt society.

The Chairman of Chard Helmstedt society, Bill Smith informs us that they have a new website

www.chardhelmstedtsociety.org. which you might be interested in, there is a link to our Circle mentioned on

it.

A Fund Raising idea “The Touchee Feely Quiz” From Chard Helmstedt Society

You have items sewn or tied up in a cloth bag and you have to guess what that item is. You can have as

many bags as you wish. We had four people to a table, the idea was to get members to know each other but

you can do this as an individual quiz. Winning table got four bottles of wine.

Editor: More ideas like this of what you do to raise funds welcome, it is a way of helping each other by sharing ideas.

Presentation of plaque in

Isigny May 2012

celebrating signing of the

Charter in Kingsbridge

2011 Photo shows both Presidents Mrs Ann

Yates and Mm Helene Baisnee

Bow & District Twinning Association… A report on their recent visit from Una Hobbs, Secretary

A contingent of twenty people, including two young children, from our Twin Village, St.Martin de Bienfaite la

Cressonniere in Normandy, arrived in Bow during May for their bi-annual visit.

Arriving in Bow at 11 am on Thursday 17th they were welcome by host families and friends at our Community Room,

Bow Village Hall. The rest of the day was spent with host families.

Friday saw a coach load of us off to Dingles (museum of fairground items) and Roadford Lake.

At Dingles everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves, we provided our visitors with some copper coins and what fun

they had, and it was a job to prise them away from the slot machines, also enjoyed by most was the various rides.

Those that did not partake had great fun in watching everyone else. The gentleman who played the organ and gave a

brief history of the organ and music went down well, and quite a few of our visitors went home with one of his tapes.

After lunch we moved onto Roadford Lake where quite a few of the visitors, together with friends walked along the

lake. We all had a cream tea and then made our journey home after a very enjoyable day.

Saturday saw the visitors out and about with hosts and friends until the evening, when with many other people from

Bow we had a meal followed by dancing to the Redwing Band. This was all the more enjoyable because the caller

spoke fluent French. Speeches were made by Madame Brigitte Coire for the visitors and Mrs Alison Blair, our

Chairman. This took place in the Village Hall.

Sunday saw the party leaving Bow at 3 am to catch the early morning ferry for home, after a truly lovely weekend.

Bow makes a return visit at the end of May 2013 as three years ago we agreed that it was better both sides of the

channel to do this. Gives both Associations longer to not only raise funds, but also individuals have longer to save

their pennies to make the return visit too.

Twinning Grants

For some years now, Tim Tucker of Sampford Peverell Twinning Association has undertaken some research into where the money from

the 'Brussels' pot goes. This year's research is particularly interesting in that it shows up the current policy of awarding grants to

communities in, or connected with, the eastern fringes of Europe. This disadvantages the countries of the far west. Great Britain, with

the Channel to cross (and now the degrading immigration and security hoops to jump through as well) has always been at a disadvantage.

Our half hearted governmental approach, at national and local level, now with some towns even calling into question the worth of twinning and abandoning it, has made our position worse. . We analysed this list, finding that countries with successful bids lined up like this:

Germany 37, France 15, Latvia 6, UK 2, Poland 11, Romania 14, Hungary 29, Italy 14, Slovakia 7, Greece 2, Finland 2, Austria 1, Croatia 4,

Denmark 1, Belgium 4,

Czech Rep 1, Slovenia 1, Spain 2, Estonia 1.

Philip Worsfold More: To read the full report, please email me Jeanaplin@live.co.uk and I will send it to you. Without a computer, then phone 01884 254260 and I will print it off and post it to you.

Totnes visit to Vire May 2012

From Val Shearer My family and I were invited to join the group visiting Vire in the Department of Calvados, Normandy. We travelled

from Plymouth to Roscoff very early on the morning of Friday the 4th of May. The sea was calm and the sky was

The President of Totnes Twinning Marion Adams receiving the framed copy of

the Vire newspaper recording the first visit to Vire in 1972 from the President

of Vire Twinning James Parkes. Also in the picture Cllr David Horsburgh, Mrs

Gisella Parkes The Mayor, Jean-Yves Cousin and the Deputy Mayor.

overcast for most of the journey. Although we have visited France many times, this was the first time to Vire to stay

with a host family the other side of the Channel (la Manche!)

On Friday evening we arrived at the Salle des Fetes (village hall) in Roullours. On disembarking our coach I heard the

welcoming sound of an accordion playing. We were met by our hosts, James and Gisella Parkes, who left Totnes to

join the community in Roulours five years ago. They have immersed themselves in the life and service of the

community as they did when they lived in Totnes.

Many of the group were welcomed by old friends, as they had visited many times before (and welcomed their hosts to

Totnes on the alternate years). This is a significant year for the Twinning Association (Association de Jumelage) as

it’s the fortieth anniversary of the Twinning. It was delightful to have Joan Veale travelling with our group, as she has

been with the Association since the beginning and attended the first meeting.

A delicious picnic supper with excellent food and of course wine, provided the time to get to know some of our new

friends in Vire.

After the long journey on Friday we relaxed with our hosts on Saturday morning. Soon after lunch we visited a bell

foundry (La Fonderie De Cloches Cornille Havard) in Villedieu Les Poeles. It was interesting to be in a workshop

built in 1865, where an ageless method of production is still evident in a place of excellence; using engineering,

metallurgical treatments, acoustical analyze and tuning. This foundry is considered by experts, to be one of the best in

the world. The foundry which casts in bronze is crafting bells for a church in Vietnam and for the Cathedral Notre

Dame.

On Saturday evening we attended a Civic

Reception at the Marie, Vire (City Hall), The

Mayor, Jean-Yves Cousin and dignitaries from

both sides of the Channel, gave speeches and

exchanged gifts. From Vire, Totnes received

framed pages from the Vire newspaper giving

their first account of the inaugural visit of

the twinned towns. No doubt it will be hung in

Totnes Guildhall for all to see. Later that evening,

we all played ten pin bowling and had dinner as

guests of the Mayor of Vire. The dinner also took

place at the bowl, in a private room where we

had linen napkins for an excellent three

course meal and coffee with waiter service and

excellent wine.

Another early start on Sunday morning to visit

the Normandy American Cemetery and

Memorial at Colleville -sur- Mer. The government of France granted use of this land to the American People in

perpetuity, as a permanent burial ground without charge or taxation. The American Battle Monuments Commission,

an agency of the United States Government maintains this cemetery. It is a sobering thought that thousands of men,

some as young as seventeen lost their lives on the beaches adjacent to a little part of France where the values and

sacrifices of the World War 11 generation are honoured. This is now a place of peaceful rest for the fallen of a

massive Allied assault on the Normandy coastline on June 6th 1944 to liberate France and drive on into Nazi Germany.

It is poignant that all the graves of these servicemen and women face west - towards their homeland, The United

States of America.

On Sunday afternoon we had lunch in Bayeux, followed by a guided visit to the Bayeux Tapestry. This unique

medieval fresco is almost 70 m long; an account of William, Duke of Normandy’s conquest of England, embroidered

on linen cloth. I have emblazoned in my memory from my history classes, the Battle Of Hastings, 1066, when King

Harold was felled by an arrow in his eye. Early in the 12th century King Henry 1

st of England, Duke of Normandy,

son of William the Conqueror , built a donjon (castle keep) overlooking the river Vire; parts of the medieval wall and

defenses are still visible.

On Sunday evening we had a party at our host’s home with many fellow hosts and their guests. After a really full-on

Sunday, packed with interesting visits, good food and bonne viveur we had a very early start on Monday, to return to

Totnes.

For myself and my family this first experience of visiting our twin town of Vire has been fabulous. The

warmth of the people of Vire and the great hospitality we were given will not be forgotten. Personally I have

made some new friends, emails will be flying across the channel.

Au revoir mes amis, a bientot.

Ilfracombe’s Twinning Visit to their Twin Town Ifs, France, 4th – 8th May, 2012.

A Report from Ilfracombe’s Publicity Officer, Terrena Howse

What a Fantastic 2012 Visit !

What wonderful memories we all have of our 2012 weekend with our French friends. When their coach pulled up outside Ilfracombe College, we all knew a fun packed weekend was about to begin. That first afternoon, it was good to reciprocate planting a tree to celebrate the 20

th anniversary of the Ilfracombe/If Twinning Association, in Bicclescombe

Park. The barn dance at Hall 70 in Woolacombe was a lively affair, with The Oggle Band trying desperately to get us all reasonably competent ! Sunday was a beautiful day, perfect for a Valley of the Rocks walk in Lynton and a stroll around Lynmouth. That evening saw us all at the Woolacombe Bay Hotel for dinner and a lot of dancing – we were even treated to Tina Turnover!! The atmosphere that evening was brilliant and Jemma and Dot sang and played like angels. Monday we went to Tapeley Park. On our arrival the sun glistened down over the sea at Instow but sadly by lunchtime you couldn’t see it for the rain. Hector Christie, the house, the gardens and the sustainability attitude were all intriguing and poor Hector had an unenviable leak in his ceiling in the drawing room. After drying out in impromptu visits to local supermarkets, we spent the last evening with our French friends. Tuesday morning saw us all rising early to meet the coach back at Ilfracombe College. We sang our farewell and shed a few tears, waving our promises to meet again next year as the coach departed up the hill. And suddenly it was all over and they were gone – until the next time !

Seaton and District Twinning Association visit to Thury-Harcourt June 8-11th 2012 From Clare Jones

Seaton has been twinned with Thury-Harcourt in Normandy for 30 years and this landmark was celebrated when 37 members of the Seaton and District Twinning Association visited their French twin town between June 8 -11th. During the time there they visited Pegasus bridge made famous for its role as the first action in the D-day landings when it was secured by glider-borne troops minutes after midnight on June 6th 1944. The event was commemorated by Association member Fergus Holmes leading the party across the bridge playing bagpipes recalling the incident portrayed in the film The Longest Day. Other visits included those to the fashionable seaside town of Cabourg famous for its connections with the writer Proust, and to the gardens of the chateau of Canon, notable for its series of walled gardens, at Mezidon-Canon. Other time was spent with individual hosts on a variety of activities enabling members to enjoy particular interests whether it be renewing old friendships, sampling the famed French cuisine, or pursuing personal interests such as history, horticulture or simply exploring. Included in the party were some members of Axe Valley Pedallers and the French hosts took them on a bicycle tour through the surrounding countryside. The visited ended with a formal dinner to celebrate the 30 years of twinning which was also attended by representatives from Heimbuchental, Thury-Harcourt's other twin town which is situated in the Black Forest region of Germany. During the dinner, Clare Jones, chairman of the Twinning Association presented on behalf of the people of Seaton a gift of a cast of an Ichthyosaurus fossil from Lyme Bay to Paul Chandelier, the mayor of Thury-Harcourt. The gift was met with great enthusiasm, especally among the children. In return she accepted gifts of commemorative plaques from both German and French twinning associations on behalf of Seaton.

Aside from all the enjoyment we share on a twinning visit, the great thing about the twinnng is the warmth and the friendship which is so evident each time we go to Thury-Harcourt.

Kingskerswell Twinning Association visit to Lonsee A report from Margaret Jury

26 members of Kingskerswell Twinning Association visited their twin village, Lonsee in Bavaria, Southern Germany in

June. They left on Wednesday 6th, and flew from London Heathrow to Stuttgart where a coach was waiting to take them on the last lap of their journey. They were warmly welcomed, as always by their hosts and friends at the hall

recently rebuilt in the village (at a cost of €3m!) and everyone enjoyed light refreshments before going to their individual homes.

Early on the Friday morning about 60 people went by coach to Bregenz in Austria. We all went up the Pfänder

mountain near Lake Constance, in a pod. Although there was a haze over the lake, the sky was mainly blue, and it was very warm (while at home they had storms). We walked round an animal park before sitting down for a packed

lunch, while enjoying breathtaking views. Some people stayed and watched a display of birds of prey, while others came back down, and went for a boat trip on the lake. On the way back to Lonsee we all stopped off for a meal at

Memmingham-Buxheim, travelling back through torrential rain and thunder & lightning! The next morning we went to Stuttgart and had a very interesting tour of the Porsche museum. We were allowed to

sit in a car for photographs at the end – very impressive! The rest of the visit was left to hosts. We visited other

families in the evenings for lots of chats and laughs. Some people were taken to the Steiff Museum, which is a wonderful experience. The story is told of Margarete Steiff, who had polio as a child and was partially paralysed and

in a wheelchair. She was clever with her hands, and after making clothes for a while she made a toy elephant out of felt, and the rest, as they say, is history.

On the last evening we had the traditional “Social Evening” where everyone gets together for a meal and

entertainment and dancing. During the evening the Mayor of Lonsee, Herr Ogger, was presented with an historic map of Kingskerswell dated 1868, by Chairman, Mrs Margaret Jury. The map was kindly and ably produced by local

historian Gerald Quinn. We saw a wonderful dancing display by a group of about 20 “young farmers” with the boys dressed in lederhosen,

and the girls in dirndl skirts and aprons. As we were at the Shooting Club premises in Ettlenschiess some of us had a

go shooting at a target! That was something different! The evening finished with everyone singing “Auld Lang Syne” Sunday morning soon came, and at 9.oclock we were getting on the coach again for Stuttgart Airport, with all our

friends waving us off. The time went so quickly, as always, but there were lots of happy memories talked about on the journey home.

We are already looking forward to seeing our friends again next year in Kingskerswell! Within the group this year were 4 people who joined last year making their first trip, which was very pleasing.

Insurance news 2012 Rate chart below Rating per Person;

AREA 1 1-3 days 4-5 days 6-9 days 10-14 days 15-21 days 22-31 days

Adult £6.60 £9.68 £10.78 £11.88 £13.86 £17.71

Child £4.95 £6.93 £7.15 £7.48 £9.46 £12.71 Plus 6% Insurance tax

If using holiday insurance under your bank or credit card please check that you really are

covered, read the small print because some say that you must have paid for at least part of your holiday using the card, also children are not covered unless traveling with their parents.

These are very favourable premiums.

Please do not email Dennis a list of members travelling and send the cheque separately; the two must arrive together in the post.

Contact Dennis Knowles (Insurance Officer)

Email: DennisKnowles123@btinternet.com Tel: 01884 254775

43 Greenway Gardens, Tiverton. EX16 5JL (note new email & address)

Just to make you smile

A little girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could,

trying not to be late for Bible class. As she ran she prayed,

Lord, please don't let me be late!'

While she was running and praying, she tripped on a curb and fell,

getting her clothes dirty and tearing her dress. She got up, brushed herself off,

and started running again! As she ran she once again began to pray, 'Dear Lord, please don't let me be late...

But please don't shove me either!'

Honiton From a report supplied by M.Hind

In the final days of July, Honiton twinners welcomed a party from our German twin town

of Gronau-am-Leine (or simply, Gronau) near Hannover in Germany. The German visitors took a very full

part in Honiton’s Charter Day celebrations. The main occasion for their visit was to sign a renewal of our

charter accord after twenty five years of successful twinning, which we hope will continue long into the

future. At a ceremony which was held at Pecorama, Mayor David Foster and representatives from

Gronau signed the new accord. The whole party were then treated to a splendid session of close harmony

singing by the German guests, singing in English and German.

Some of the other highlights of the visit were a walking tour of Exeter and an open air concert by Honiton

Town Band on the Millenium Green on the evening of Charter Day, which was greatly appreciated by all.

Philip Griffiths

A presentation was made to Philip Griffiths at the meeting held in Umberleigh Village Hall on Saturday July

21st as a thank you for his many years’ service to Devon Twinning; he held the post of vice-chairman,

chairman and committee member.

Editor: Sorry no photograph I didn’t have my camera.

Date and Venue of next meeting Annual General Meeting - Clovelly

Lunch will be served at 12.30 Meeting starts at 2 pm.

Interested in joining the committee?

There are two vacancies on the committee and four of the committee members have served for their two

years but they are available for re-election if they so wish.

More details from your Association secretary, early October. It would be great to see you there.

Next Meeting Saturday 20th

January 2013 – Tiverton

Editor

My thanks to all of you that have sent in items for this newsletter, it is very

encouraging. Yes the summer months are when we are all most active with visits from

our Twin towns. Now we have to start fund raising for next year but please do keep

your articles coming as I need copy for the next newsletter.