Devon Twinning Circle Home to Home Summer 2015 Officers and Committee Chairman Mr. Dennis Knowles, 43, Greenway Gardens, Tiverton, EX 16 5JL Tel: 01884 254775. dennisknowles123@btinternet.com Vice Chairman/Secretary. Mrs Pat Sherwood, Littleover Dean Street, Crediton, EX17 3EN Tel: 01363 772103 sherwoodpa@hotmail.co.uk Imm.past chairman Mrs. Josie Mardon, 35, Woodwater Lane, Exeter, EX2 5JY. Tel:01392 253469 mandj@heimat.plus.com Treasurer Mr. James Stewart, St. Mary s, Forches Cross, Bovey Road, Newton Abbot TQ12 6PU Tel: 01626 361808 james@jsacc.co.uk Insurance officer. Mrs. Pauline Knowles, 43, Greenway Gardens, Tiverton, EX16 5JL Tel: 01884 254775 dennisknowles123@btinternet.com Committee Members. Mr Philip Worsfold, 8B, Whitnage Road, Sampford Peverell, Tiverton EX16 7BU Tel:01884 821805. wors@8bwhi.eclipse.co.uk Mr. Maurice Mardon, Heimat, 35, Woodwater Lane, Exeter, EX2 5JY Tel:01392 253469 mandj@heimat.plus.com Newsletter Editor: Mrs. Jean Aplin, 13, Crowden Crescent, Tiverton, Devon. EX16 4ET Tel: 01884 254260 jeanaplin@live.co.uk Mr. Anthony Barlow, 43, Church Street, Kingsbridge, TQ7 1BT. Tel: 01548 714004 Anthony.barlow2@aol.co.uk Mr Michael Mansfield, 16,Burnham Road, Highbridge, Somerset, TA9 3JH Tel: 01278 792570 michaelmansfield1@btinternet.co.uk Rob Hooper, County Hall, Exeter Tel: 01392 382300 rob.hooper@devon.gov.uk Mr.Bob Bradshaw, The Old Post Office, West Hill,Ottery St. Mary, Devon, EX11 1TR Tel: 01404 812402 bradshaw@cdmservices.org.uk Lindsay Hyslop, 30, Woodmans Crescent, Honiton, EX14 2DY. Tel: 01404 42230 Lhyslop24@gmail.com
Next General Meeting All Welcome Saturday July 18 th 2015 at Braunton Devon Twinning General Meeting on Saturday July 18 th. 2015. It will be held at Braunton Heanton Church Hall, Wrafton Road, Wrafton. Braunton EX33 2DN at 2pm. Parking is free in the church hall car park Lunch will be served at 12:30pm at 6.50 a head. The menu will be Selection of cold meats, new potatoes and salad. Selection of desserts. ~Tea or Coffee and biscuits Payment by cheque payable to: Braunton Twinning Organisation and sent to: Mrs Pat O Hare (Braunton Treasurer) 1Williams Close, Wrafton, Braunton, Devon, EX33 2DY by Saturday11th July. Tel:01271 813534 Details on how to find the venue: Directions to the Church Hall is just off the A361 situated in Wrafton Road, near to the rear of the Williams Arms Pub/Restaurant. News from Ottery St. Mary Six young people visited our twin town of Ottery St Mary between 21st and 29th March 2015. We met up on at 04.30 on the morning of Saturday 21 st March in the car park behind the Town Hall. We travelled from there to Stuttgart Airport, where we took off for London at 07.10. We arrived at London Heathrow at 08.30, and 5 hours later our host families were waiting for us when we got to Exeter. With mixed emotions and excited anticipation we were taken to the homes of our host families. Sunday 22 nd March 2015 On this Sunday Bicton College (some of whose students had visited last autumn) held their Lambing Sunday (similar to an Open Day). Bicton College had put together the programme for our visit with the Ottery St Mary Twinning Society. Monday 23 rd March After breakfast one of the college teachers took us tractor driving. After a short introduction from him in his best German, we were able to drive alone. It was huge fun. After lunch we were taken on a tour of the College. Later we were able to get to know the exotic animals owned by the College from Lemurs to snakes and small reptiles.
Tuesday 24 th March That day we drove with Susan to the National Trust property Knightshayes, a large estate with different gardens. However there wasn t much to see as spring hadn t begun there yet. Wednesday 25 th March On this day we made an expedition with Carole to Exmouth. There we had a boat trip which was really beautiful. During the trip we saw the different landscapes of the area and also the cliffs of Exmouth which are gorgeous. Thursday 26 th March On Thursday we visited Ottery St Mary, Ilsfeld s twin town. There we had a look at the venerable church. In the late afternoon we were greeted by the Mayor in the Ottery St Mary Council Offices. Friday 27th March On Friday morning we went to the East Devon District Council Office (equivalent to a Kreisrat in Germany). There we were shown how politics work there. We also took part in a simulation of the political decision-making process. After a lunch of Pizza, still in Sidmouth, we were shown the Lifeboat Station and had a very interesting guided tour. Saturday 28th March On our penultimate day we were together in Exeter for the whole day. There we spent our time shopping, sightseeing and eating out. This day was very nice and relaxing Sunday 29 th March At 08.30 we met up again in Exeter, and made our homeward journey. After a longer coach journey to London, we landed in Stuttgart at 17.00, where we were awaited by our already longing (or possibly anxious) parents We want to give our really heartfelt thanks to all who took part in the planning and realization of the exchange Thank you all, we really had a nice stay in Devon. We all enjoyed the time we had. Crewkerne & District Twinning Association. The weekend 14th/17th May was another huge success.52 adults and children came from our twin towns of IGNY and BURES SUR YVETTE. We took them to Exmouth and a trip out on the estuary with Stuart Line Cruise who were very well organized. It included a lunch on board which is highly recommended and very helpful staff. On home ward journey we visited Sidmouth, where everyone had cream teas or ice creams. Saturday was spent with host families visiting Crewkerne its self and the surrounding areas. We took our visitors to the Swannery at Abbotsbury where the new chicks were being hatched it went down very well indeed. The evening soiree consisted of an excellent supper provided by local caterers with a magician going around the tables. We then danced the night away to a 60,s group called USED NOTES where the French do excel themselves and I have to say the English could remember how to rock and roll. We had one young adult attending Wadham school with a pupil and had a great day, we are very lucky to have the French Teacher who is always very helpful. Sunday morning came the departure all early in the morning and too short a trip. Next year sees the 40th anniversary with IGNY and the 10th with BURES SUR YVETE so a big year ahead next year. Cheryl Newman (chairperson)
Exeter Yaroslavl Twinning Association Russian Christmas Dinner at Exeter College Twinning: ln Russia Christmas Day is celebrated on January 6. On January 7, an authentic Russian Christmas dinner was prepared for 40 members of the Exeter Yaroslavl Twinning Association and the Deputy Lord Mayor, Rob Newby by Exeter College s Catering School. The students cooked and served a six course meal, including Borsch, Herrings under a Fur Coat, Coulibiac (a layered pie), Napoleon Torte and filled chocolates. Larissa Seward, a Russian lady who teaches maths at Exeter College, gave advice on the menu and read out Christmas Greetings sent by the Yaroslavl Mayor's office to Exeter This article appeared in Express and Echo Newspaper on 15 January 2015 Fund Raising Please tell us of your own fund raising efforts, not just the ordinary run of the mill like Quiz Nights but something perhaps a little different. Editor
A List of Places that members of Devon Twin Circle have taken their visitors At your local Tesco stores you can pick up a leaflet The complete Guide to Devon 2013 look in the display stands as you leave the store. It contains a large map of Devon and details of many of the listed attractions. More information available by their Websites. SS Great Britain Bristol Great day out The Big Pit National Coal Museum Wales Free entry St Fagans National History Museum Cardiff, Wales Free entry Cheddar Gorge & Caves Somerset Wookey Hole Wells,Somerset Clovelly Village North Devon Babbacombe Model Village Torquay Torrington 1646 Torrington Travel back to 17 th century West Somerset Railway Bishops Lydeard To Minehead or Dunster - fun Stuart Line (Boat trips) Exeter Topsham Exmouth Canal Horse Drawn Barge Tiverton The Big Sheep Bideford Displays etc Willows & Wetland Centre Nr. Taunton Small groups excellent value Forde Abbey Chard, Somerset House & Gardens, good food Eden Project St Austell, Cornwall Fleet Air Arm Museum Yeovil, Somerset Aircraft carrier experience National Marine Aquarium Plymouth National Lifeboat Stations Donation to the Charity Hartland Abbey North Devon House & Grounds walk to sea Seaton Tramway Seaton Abbotsbury Swannery Nr Weymouth, Dorset Day in Bath with guide Bath, Somerset Day in Exeter with Blue Coat Guide Exeter Cheddar + Cheese factory there Cheddar, Somerset Wells Cathedral Wells See the swans pull the bell for food Big Sheep Bideford World of Country Life Exmouth Tuckers Malting Newton Abbot The only traditional English Malt house Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre Lifton, Devon Dartmouth Royal Naval College Dartmouth Editor: Hopefully more of you will send me information of where/what you have done so that it can be added to the list. June 2015
Report from Uffculme and their link with the Normandy village of Caumont-l Evente. Uffculme s Twinning links with the Normandy village of Caumont-l'Eventé have existed for 38 years now and this year it was the Mid Devon village s turn to host. The Uffculme Twinning Association organised a coach from excellent local firm Forward Travel to collect their French counterparts from the ferry port at Poole. Ten of the English also travelled to greet and there was the chance for everyone to sample a cream tea at The Lobster Pot on Portland Bill en route to a welcome reception at Magelake Pavilion in Uffculme. Several UTA members provided accommodation for 3 nights in the village. On the Friday the French were treated to a picnic in Westward Ho! followed by a tour of the Dartington Crystal factory in Great Torrington. In the evening there was much merriment at Uffculme s Village Hall where a special Taste of the West Country 4-course meal was prepared by local caterers Lisa & Iain Thompson of Deli Shack. The high quality of the food received high praise from the French. On Saturday a coach trip to Cockington was a big success with French and English alike enjoying the picture postcard village and the many craft outlets at Cockington Court. Lunch was taken at the Drum Inn. Next year the English will visit Caumont-l'Eventé with a date still to be set. Jim Clancy
Kingsteignton Twinning Association is Beavering Away to attract new members! Members of Kingsteignton Twinning recently linked with 1 st Newton Abbot (Kingsteignton) Beaver Scout Colony to help them achieve their International Activity Badge and spread the idea of Twinning to Young Families. They held an evening for the children based on France, dividing them into small groups to visit each of the 4 Bases, ran by Twinning Members, where they could achieve the elements required by the Badge. They learnt a greeting in French and names of Parts of the Body, which were used later in the evening for a game of Jacques Dit, equivalent to the game Simon Says. Built an Eiffel Tower from Lego. Tasted a variety of French Food and recorded their likes and dislikes. Learnt about Beaver Scouts in France, their Promise and Uniform. The children responded extremely well to the evening, enjoyed learning words in a foreign language and gained new experiences through their activities. At the end of the evening, they took home 4 Flags to colour and return to their Leaders, representing France and 3 other different countries to comply with the Badge. It is hoped that maybe they will transfer their learning to friends and family, which may create more interest in the Twinning of our Town. During the evening, the Parents of the Beavers joined the group for some French Cheese/Nibbles and Wine. Information was given regarding Kingsteignton/Orbec Twinning Association (KOTA), the opportunities it can offer and how they could become involved. It became clear that many people did not know that Twinning is open to all, as many believed it to be for Town Officials only. It is hoped that a similar evening could be extended to our local Brownies in the near future, to not only aid the Community, but to sow more seeds of interest! Triss Cummings (Member of KOTA) OTTERY ST. MARY TWINNING ASSOCIATION www.otterytwinners.org.uk Newsletter No. 58 June 2015 Following a successful and highly enjoyable long weekend with our friends in Pont l Évêque and an equally successful Crêpe Stall at the Cadhay Summer Fair, we look optimistically towards future events in our twinning calendar. Some 30 twinners, including several new members, made the visit to Pont l Évêque where we were royally entertained. We would hope to match this hospitality when the French come to us next May and we celebrate 40 years since the project of twinning with a French town and the negotiations with Pont l Évêque were started.
The funds for entertaining our guests are usually raised from a small premium which we charge on visit travel costs. This year several of our members chose to travel independently and the association actually suffered a loss. It is therefore all the more important that fundraising events this year are well supported. Our thanks go to the splendid team of helpers on the Crêpe stall at Cadhay who raised almost 200 for the association and we look to multiply that at our next fund-raiser which will be the Quiz Evening in the Autumn (see below). However, the next event in our calendar is a purely social event and we look forward to seeing you there: = The next scheduled association event is our CAR TREASURE HUNT FRIDAY, 26 TH JUNE Departures and registration from 6 pm Canaan Way Car Park, Ottery. Last year s winning team, The Gang, are this year s quiz masters: they have already begun composing challenging clues and a route which will lead us along the highways and byways of our beautiful East Devon countryside in search of answers... and to our final destination: a congenial local hostelry where a buffet supper awaits. The charge per person this year is 8.50 - this covers your pub supper and has unfortunately had to be increased from previous years due to rising costs but it s still great value! Just to remind you: we assemble at 6pm at Canaan Way Car Park, Ottery, where you will register and receive a sealed envelope containing details of your final destination (just in case!) Cars leave at timed intervals after that. Teams are usually 4 members per car can be fewer, of course, but couples arriving may wish to double up before leaving the car park. Family and friends are most welcome on what is always a fun evening. Names and numbers as soon as possible, please, to me, Sylvia Gehring, on 01404 813560, or email sylv.g@cholcott.freeserve.co.uk. Final date for entries is Monday, 22 nd June I look forward to hearing from you! VISIT FROM ILSFELD 3 RD 7 TH SEPTEMBER Arrangements are underway for this visit, with an evening dinner confirmed at Otter Nurseries for the Saturday evening. We are still discussing options for a group visit and would welcome your suggestions. As ever, host families are needed, so if you have a spare bed or two, would you please contact our accommodation officer, Gill Spence on 01404 813129, glambirth@hotmail.com. Finally, AUTUMN QUIZ EVENING FRIDAY, 23 RD OCTOBER at the Institute, Ottery St. Mary This is to be our major fund-raiser this year. We have booked an experienced Quiz master who will be providing the questions. There will be a bar, raffle and supper. Teams of up to six members. Cost per person 7, to include a delicious ploughman s supper. This will be a community event, so do encourage family and friends to come along. We look forward to raising as much money as possible, while promoting twinning and having a great evening! I shall be sending you further details nearer the event, but want to ensure that you have the date in your diary. We are looking for a great turn out! Best wishes / Cordialement / Grüße, Sylvia Gehring pp. Ottery St. Mary Twinning Association
Bow & District Twinning Association Twinned with St Martin de Bienfaite la Cressonniere A report from Mrs Una Hobbs Over the last May Bank Holiday 18 members of Bow & District Twinning Association went on their bi-annual visit to their twin village St Martin de Bienfaite la Cressonniere, in Normandy. We had smooth crossings both ways, a daytime crossing so arrived quite late in the evening and were met by our host families and whisked away for supper and bed. Next day, together with our hosts we were off in a coach to visit a cider museum, yes we did taste some of the product after our picnic lunch. Our next visit was to the Chateau de Carrouges, in both places there were good lady guides, speaking good English. Both of the places visited were very interesting. During the war all the furnishings in the chateau were hidden away by the Resistance, so we were seeing it as it was before the occupation. Saturday we were out and about with our hosts until the evening when there was a large gathering for the traditional meal in the village hall. In the absence of our Chairman Alison Blair our secretary (yours truly Una Hobbs) assisted by Assistant secretary Alison Lawrence spoke on behalf of Bow. The gift to our French friends was a plate, made by local potter, depicting the three hares. Sunday once again we were out and about with our hosts and Monday saw us homeward bound after a truly great visit enjoyed immensely by those able to go. The return visit will be in the spring of next year 2016. BRAUNTON CELEBRATE 40 YEARS OF TWINNING. In October 1975 Braunton in North Devon signed a Charter forming their Twinning Association with Plouescat in Brittany, France. This started a bio-annual visit by both villages, this year it was Plouescat turn to visit Braunton. 40 members, 5 being children, 2 students plus 4 representatives of the Plouescat Town Council arrived late one Wednesday night in May. This was the start of a fun filled few days, renewing friendships and making new ones. 2 couples brought along their grandchildren, making third generation to visit. On Thursday morning the coach transported them down to Tiverton and a visit to Knightshayes Nation Trust House. The murky drizzle did not dim the enthusiasm and the visitors enjoyed looking around the house and gardens.
In the evening Braunton held a Party Evening at Croyde Village Hall with live entertainment from a Cornish Folk Band, The Rubber Band. A Fish and Chip Van provided the refreshments and local ice cream, in a cone, was an easy but enjoyable dessert. The Visitors put on a dance display during the refreshment break, including the Old and Young. It was lovely to see all age groups participating and have fun. Early Friday morning a visit to Braunton Bowling Club was arranged and the first part of the Challenge, nearest to the Jack, which Braunton won. This was followed by a quick walk to the Village Hall for a Civic Reception held by the Parish Council. After refreshments, provided by the Council, the coach turned up to transport them out to Blakewell Fisheries, Barnstaple for a tour and the second part of the challenge. The competition was 6 a side to catch a fish, which would be weighed and the highest total weight would win. It was a draw! So the deciding factor was the heaviest fish. Plouescat won by 1 oz!!! In the evening we had an Official Meal at Saunton Golf Club with past members, including two original members from Braunton and two from Plouescat. The Chairperson of the Parish Council and Head Master of Braunton Academy were also invited as guests. 78 Adults and 9 children sat down to a lovely meal and enjoyable company. Plouescat arrange a display of photographs from years gone by. Laughter and exclamations could be heard all evening. After a lazy Saturday of free time with our guests, small pockets of hosts and visitors gather in the evening for fun, entertainment and laughter. Sunday morning and time for departure arrived so quickly. Promises to see them next year and fond farewells, saw them leave for a visit to Portreeth and Looe, before making their way to Plymouth and the overnight ferry to Roscoff. For many years it has been tradition for 2 or 3 students to travel with the Twinners for an exchange. They participate fully in the visit and at the Official Meal they have to make a vote of Thanks in the visiting language. Braunton Students are selected from Braunton Academy and helped financially by Bursary s raised. This has been proved to be excellent learning experience for the students. Thank you to those that have sent articles in, I hope you have enjoyed reading this Newsletter. Please keep the articles coming ~ Ideas being shared, how you have entertained your twinning guests, raised funds etc.and remember you will be entered into the Monica Sanders Competition. Please send articles, reports, photographs by Email to:jeanaplin@live.co.uk by post to Mrs J.Aplin, 13 Crowden Crescent, Tiverton, Devon. EX16 4ET