Devon Twinning Circle

Sampford Peverell & District Twinning Association

DEVON TWINNING CIRCLE

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE MASONIC HALL, CREDITON. ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 15TH. 2016.

Chairman’s Opening Remarks.

The chairman of Crediton Jenni Pitts welcomed everyone. She thanked the catering team for

the lovely meal. She also welcomed the mayor of Crediton Frank Letch and thanked him for

attending. Pat read out a letter from Dennis Knowles thanking Crediton for hosting, and

following his recent operation and recovery, thanks all those who had sent him “Get Well”

messages.

Apologies

Barnstaple Newton & Noss Jenny Worsfold

Bow Northam Jean Aplin

Chittlehampton North Petherton Dennis Knowles

Clevedon Stoke in Teignhead Pauline Knowles

Dawlish Tiverton

Holsworthy Yealmpton

Kingsteignton

Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting. These were read and signed Proposed by Marion Adams and Seconded Stewart Philp.

Matters Arising.

There were no matters arising.

Secretary’s Report.

Pat had received a letter from Wembury thanking the DTC for the donation made to the

speaker they had. Woodbury had asked for advice re their re –writing of the twinning

constitution. Pat said she wouldn’t be organising the skittles competition next year.

Treasurer’s Report.

James gave the report and gave out account sheets. This covered the quarterly and annual

accounts. Funds available in the accounts is £8,534.The adoption of the accounts were

proposed by Maurice Mardon and seconded by Jenni Pitts. Frank Letch proposed a vote of

thanks to James and it was seconded by Philip Worsfold.

Insurance Officer’s Report.

Pat read out the report in the absence of Pauline. It was the Annual report. 29 associations

took out travel insurance amounting to£1,060.99. Public liability from 74 associations came

to £6586.

Matters referred from committee meeting. It was suggested that the skittles competition should be held again. Pat asked for other ideas for a social gathering involving all the associations. No one came up with anything concrete. It would now be put in the newsletter. Pat also asked for hosts for 2018. Sampford Peverell and Exmouth were interested subject to their committees agreeing.

Home to Home

Winter 2016

Election of Officers and Committee. Officers and Committee for 2016/17 :-

Chairman Pat Sherwood Crediton Vice Chairman Josie Mardon Exeter Twinning Circle Immediate Past Chairman Dennis Knowles Tiverton Secretary Pat Sherwood Crediton Treasurer James Stewart Newton Abbot Insurance Officer Pauline Knowles Tiverton Newsletter Editor Jean Aplin Tiverton Committee:- Bob Bradshaw Exeter/Yaroslov, - Maurice Mardon Exeter Twinning Circle, Philip Worsfold - Sampford Peverell, - Stewart Philip Bideford.

Proposed by Daivd Parsons Exeter Twinning Circle and seconded by Mike Boyle Totnes that the rest of committee be re-elected en bloc. This motion was carried. No new members were elected. Two members from Totnes said they would join the committee. But according to the constitution only one per association is allowed. It was agreed that an amendment to the constitution should be made at the AGM next year that “2 members per association could serve on the committee” Monica Saunders Trophy The winner for the Autumn newsletter.is Abbotskerswell.This year’s winner of the Monica Saunders Trophy is Kingsteignton. The new Chairman presented the cup to Eileen Fazakerley Marion Adams invite everyone to Totnes for the January meeting. David Parsons said the website needed up-dating. Tony Hancock gave a brief outline of the book he has written.

A message from Pat (Sherwood) the new Chairman

I am the new DTC Chairman. I have been involved in twinning since 1989. That was when Crediton twinning was first started and we were formally twinned with Avranches in 1993. I was their newsletter editor for several years and have been their secretary for the past 4 years. I started attending DTC meetings in 1997, and was elected onto the committee in 2003. In 2004 I became DTC minute secretary and the secretary proper in 2006. I am still carrying on as secretary. Dennmething to do! I have seen many changes along the way. The AGM was hosted by Crediton this year and the catering duo of Paul and Lorraine did a grand job along with their helpers. There was an incident involving missing cruets but it was resolved. I learnt this by pure chance! The attendance was down this year. Frank Letch our mayor attended along with his wife Natalia. Congratulations to Kingsteignton for winning the Monica Saunders Trophy and Abbotskerswell who won the quarterly prize of £50. We still need new committee members as 3 retired at the AGM. We meet 4 times a year and these places need filling. The next meeting will be in Totnes on January 21st. Pat Sherwood Chairman.

Question from Pat, which needs a reply please. I told the committee at our meeting on October 15th. that as the interest for the Skittles Competition is waning that I wouldn't be running one in 2017. When this was put to the meeting in the afternoon it was suggested that maybe we should try it again next year. I am prepared to do this providing enough associations are willing to enter a team. I need feedback on this by the January meeting. I also asked at that meeting for alternative ideas for a get together on a social basis for all DTC members but none were suggested. Is there anything YOUR Association can suggest that could be considered. There again I need to know by January so that the committee can discuss them. Pat. Chairman and Hon Secretary.

Devon Twinning Circle General Meeting on Saturday January 21st. 2017. It will be held at Totnes Yacht Club, Totnes, TQ9 5AL at 2pm. Lunch will be served at 12:30pm at £6.50 a head. The menu is :- Veg. Soup, Roast Chicken, Selection of Veg, Choice of Desserts

Vegetarian option available. If you have any dietary needs please advise well in advance.

We hope you will be able to join us for Lunch. A reply slip is enclosed. Could you send it to:- Mr. M. Boyle, 26, Copeland Meadows, Totnes, TQ9 6ER. 01803 867133. with your PAYMENT. The committee look forward to seeing you and other members of your Association at

the meeting. If you are able to wear a badge with your name and Association on please

can you do so. It is for better and

easier communication with other members. Badges and a pen will be available for you

to make one if necessary.

Yours sincerely,

Pat Sherwood. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------REPLY SLIP

Please Reply to :-Mr. M. Boyle, 26, Copeland Meadows, Totnes, TQ9 5AL. 01803 867133.

I would like to book lunch for ______ person/s at £6.50 a head £_______

Please tick here for Vegetarian _____ and state how many ______

Special Dietary Needs:- Please return this slip with your cheque made payable to“Totnes Twin Town Association” to

the above address by January 7th

. 2017.

FROM _______________________________________________ASSOCIATION

NAME ___________________________ ( If DTC committee member please tick ) …… CONTACT NO._______________________________

DIRECTIONS TO TOTNES. (TQ9 5AL) From North, East, Mid Devon and Somerset. Take the A38 from Exeter to Plymouth. Take left hand slip road at Buckfastleigh and turn left onto A384 signposted Totnes, Dartmouth and Kingsbridge. In 4.3 miles at the roundabout by Dartington Pottery turn left onto A385. At the traffic lights just pass the college and with the police station on the right go straight on. At the next roundabout take 3

rd exit into Coronation Road. Turn left into Fore Street and then keep straight and

stay on this road. Turn right into Seymour Road then right into Steamer Quay Road. Bear left onto Fairseat Close. You then arrive at Steamer Quay. From Plymouth. Take A38 to Buckfastleigh then follow as above. From South Devon . Take either A381 or A385 to Totnes. Car parking is at Steamer Quay car park. Parking costs £3 for 3 hours, £4 for 4 hours or £6.50 all day. Steamer Quay is probably signposted .

Devon Twinning Circle Officers and Committee Addresses

Chairman Mrs Pat Sherwood, Littleover Dean Street, Crediton, EX17 3EN 01363 772103 sherwoodpa@hotmail.co.uk

Vice-Chairman: Mrs Josie Mardon, Heimat, 35, Woodwater Lane, Exeter, EX2 5JY, Tel: 01392 253469 mandj@heimat.plus.com

Imm.past Chairman . Mr. Dennis Knowles, 43, Greenway Gardens, Tiverton, EX 16 5JL 01884254775. dennisknowles123@btinternet.com

Treasurer Mr. James Stewart, St. Mary’s, Forches Cross, Bovey Road, Newton Abbot TQ12 6PU 01626 361808 james@jsacc.co.uk

Insurance officer. Mrs. Pauline Knowles, 43, Greenway Gardens, Tiverton, EX16 5JL 01884 254775 dennisknowles123@btinternet.com

Newsletter Editor Mrs. Jean Aplin, 13, Crowden Crescent, Tiverton, Devon. EX16 4ET 01884 254260 jeanaplin@live.co.uk

Committee Members Mr Philip Worsfold, 8B, Whitnage Road, Sampford Peverell, Tiverton EX16 7BU

01884 821805. wors@8bwhi.eclipse.co.uk Mr. Maurice Mardon, Heimat, 35, Woodwater Lane, Exeter, EX2 5JY 01392 253469

mandj@heimat.plus.com Rob Hooper, County Hall, Exeter 01392 382300 rob.hooper@devon.gov.uk

Mr. Michael Mansfield, 16, Truro Close, Burnham on Sea, Somerset, TA8 3JE. 01278 792570 Mr.Bob Bradshaw, The Old Post Office, West Hill,Ottery St. Mary, Devon, EX11 1TR 01404 812402

bradshaw@cdmservices.org.uk Mr. S. Philp, Highlea, First Raleigh, Bideford, EX39 3NJ. 01237 473624. hylee@talktalk.net

Sampford Peverell Twinning Association

11 visitors from our “twin” villages in Normandy came to stay from Friday 23rd July to Tuesday 26th. We are grateful to all who made them welcome – both hosts and other people in the villages here who were happy to show them round. Even the weather tried hard to be welcoming; quite warm and only a very little rain.

mailto:sherwoodpa@hotmail.co.ukmailto:mandj@heimat.plus.commailto:dennisknowles123@btinternet.commailto:james@jsacc.co.ukmailto:dennisknowles123@btinternet.commailto:jeanaplin@live.co.ukmailto:wors@8bwhi.eclipse.co.ukmailto:mandj@heimat.plus.commailto:rob.hooper@devon.gov.ukmailto:bradshaw@cdmservices.org.ukmailto:hylee@talktalk.net

The weekend got off to a good start with a reception in Sampford Peverell Village Hall, kindly provided by SP Parish Council. On Saturday the day was spent by guests and hosts together. Activities were many and various: Mid Devon Show, Hestercombe Gardens,

Montacute House, Widecombe-in-the-moor, being among the places visited – and of course, Sampford Peverell and the canal. In the evening we enjoyed dinner together in the delightful environment of Bickleigh Mill. Food, wine and a lot of laughter. What more could we ask? As we arrived at Tiverton Canal Basin on Sunday morning it did start to rain. However, it didn’t last very long and we were able to take shelter in the “Duck’s Ditty” café, or the excellent Information Centre, while we waited for the horse-drawn barge.

We then cruised the canal for an hour and a half, towed by a lovely horse Ross, seeing lots of wildlife on the way. In the afternoon, a visit to Knightshayes National Trust house and gardens was enjoyed by all. Then, evening dinner was in our own homes – or, in many cases in

someone else’s home. Getting together for dinner gives us a chance to get better acquainted with more of the French visitors. And it helps to share out both the cooking and our struggles with embryonic French!

Monday morning brought a chance for a lie-in! We set off to arrive at Colyton in time for an excellent buffet lunch, served in the “Garden Room” at Colyton Tramway Station. Then followed a ride on the open-top tram from Colyton to Seaton, where we visited the recently opened Jurassic Centre. Lots of activities for children – and for grown-up children too. Several of the group paid a quick visit to the seafront (only

one paddled – and got a bit damper than planned) before we all made our way back to Colyton on

the tram. Early Tuesday morning, we all met up at Sampford Peverell village car park to say farewell

to our French friends before their departure for the journey home. We were sorry to see them go and we really value the chance we had to renew old friendships and make new ones.

Clevedon Twinning Association

September 2016

Members of Clevedon Twinning Association recently travelled by coach to Epernay, France to celebrate 25 years since the signing of the Twinning Charter between our two towns. Members gathered in Clevedon Square, Epernay to be welcomed by the Mayor of Epernay who gave a reading of the original charter. Mrs Joy Williams, President of the Twinning Association, unveiled a plaque celebrating the event which was attached to a British Red Telephone Box that was presented to Epernay by Clevedon Twinning Association some 25 years ago. The Youth Orchestra of Epernay played during the ceremony which included a speech of welcome by the Mayor of the town and a response by Cllr Graham Watkins, Chairman of the Clevedon Town Council. Later our hosts entertained us to a Gala Dinner and during the weekend there were visits to Champagne Houses and tours of the cellars. There was a visit to the Cinema to celebrate the start of a British Film Week in the Town. This was followed by a buffet of English Food supplied largely by the Clevedon Twinning Association. Delegates from our twin Towns (Ettlingen, Germany: Erernay, France: Middelkerke, Belgium and Clevedon) met to discuss future projects and from these discussions it was decided to endeavour to arrange a Schools/Youth project between our four Towns and which would involve Clevedon School with financial support through Erasmus Programme. This is now an ongoing project. During the weekend both Members and our friends from Epernay were entertained by the Clevedon folk Group, “The Oakies” who accompanied us on the visit and their performances were enjoyed by all. A great deal was packed into the weekend with many friendships made and renewed and there was a final, impromptu gathering at a local restaurant for us to bid farewell to all our Epernay friends. Members departed by coach early on Monday morning for the return journey home with many, many happy memories of a delightful weekend. Wonder what the Erasmus Programme is – so did I, so went on line and it is for International exchange Erasmus student programme – worth a look. Editor.

THE FRENCH CONNECTION Wrington Twinning

This is the Serious Guide to France This book is written by Anthony Hancock who spent many years living and working in different parts of France. He loves the country and its people and knows France and how it works. This book is bang up to date to the result of the referendum and it tells you how to navigate France's culture, laws and bureaucracy.

• Do you go to France on business or on holiday? • Might you move to France? • Do you already have a home there? Do you, or may you, let it out? • What about starting a business or taking employment in France? • Do you know about taxation, social security and pensions? • What about Wills and inheritance? • Or French culture, customs, table manners or driving? • Would you know what to do in an extreme emergency?

This book 'FRANCE WITHOUT TEARS' will give you all the answers. Its soft backed A5 format makes handy to carry around and it is reasonably priced at £15 (which includes postage and packing). It is published by The French Connection and the proceeds of sale will be used to help the young of our area to take advantage of twinning opportunities. To place an order contact treasurer@wringtontwinning.co.uk.

A report on the recent visit to Ilsfeld, Ottery’s German Twin Town:

A group of 20 members from Ottery Twinning Association visited the lovely German town of Ilsfeld for a long weekend from 29th September – 3rd October. We were received as usual with the greatest hospitality, spending time with our host families, as well as attending with them the officially organised events: a delicious dinner and reception on the Friday in one of the town’s restaurants, a trip to the spa town of Baden-Baden, including a tour of the magnificent 19th century casino on Saturday, and Sunday’s

mailto:treasurer@wringtontwinning.co.uk

Harvest Festival in the town’s Church of St. Bartholemew. Ilsfeld lies at the heart of a fruit and wine farming community and the church was wonderfully decorated with donated produce. This was a memorable weekend and demonstrates (despite Brexit) the continuing importance of friendship and mutual understanding between individuals of all nations.

Northam Twinning’s Trip to Mondeville

29 September – 03 October 2016

The weather was fair as the 31 of us boarded the Taw and Torridge coach to embark upon our 43

rd

trip to Mondeville in Normandy, France. We had an excellent run to Portsmouth and boarded the Brittany

Ferry, Mont St. Michel, for the 2.45pm departure. The sea was kind and we reached Mondeville at the

predicted time of 10.pm. We were met by our French correspondants at the Leisure Centre and, after many

hugs and kisses, were whisked off for the odd glass or two.

Friday was a free day and our families took full advantage of the beautiful weather to take us all to

different places. I spent the morning in Caen at the Farmers’ Market and, after a sumptuous lunch, was

taken to the delightful town of Cabourg which I hadn’t seen since I was eleven. It had lost none of its

charm.

In the evening we all met up at the brand new town community hall – a wonderful, multi-functional

building,

for a buffet supper followed by bingo. By now we were three groups; the French families, the German

group from Buddenstedt with whom Northam and Mondeville are twinned, and our Northam group, making

a total of about 120. Supper was delicious and I am sure there was enough food to feed Napolean’s army!

At nine o’clock we adjourned to a different room where we all enjoyed a boisterous but fun couple of hours

playing ‘loto’, bingo. There were many prizes which seemed to be equally shared amongst the three groups.

Saturday dawned fair and for most provided a relaxing morning ‘en famille’. Some committee

members attended a meeting at the Town Hall to discuss dates for the 2017 visits. As this involved all three

twinning towns there was much debate but eventually some consensus was reached.

At midday we all met up at the new community town hall again for the official luncheon, followed by an afternoon dance. We

were delighted to have with us Councillor Leather, Mayor of Northam, who opened the speeches. There followed speeches from

our Chairman, Keith Lane, the Chairman of Buddenstedt Twinning and the mayor of Mondeville. The Chairman of Mondeville

Twinning rounded off the speeches and the anthems of UK, Germany, France and the EU were played. We then all sat down to a

wonderful four-course luncheon with dishes from all over France.

Towards the end of the meal the music began. This was provided by a lone accordionist. One wouldn’t necessarily think this

would have the power to bring people to their feet.......wrong! He really got one’s feet tapping and the dancefloor full.

Proceedings drew to a close by early evening and, as we had quite an early start the following day, most of us went straight home.

Once again the weather was kind for our full day trip to Rouen. We left Mondeville just before 8.00am in two coaches and

several cars. Being a Sunday the traffic was light and we reached Rouen at 9.15am. Our first stop was to see a brand new

exhibition called Panorama XXL, Rouen 1431. My words can not do justice to this incredible and moving exhibition. It depicts,

in 360 degrees, what Rouen would have looked like in the 15th

century and in particular, on the day of Joan of Arc’s execution.

Thanks to a creative mix of drawings, paintings and photographs the artist, Yadegar Asisi, offers a unique and poignant visit of the

city of Rouen over a 24 hour period. The 3000 square metres of canvas is housed in a 35 metre high round tower which one can

view from the 15 metre high platform over three floors, in the centre. Every square inch of the canvas has something of interest

and I could have stayed there all day.

For lunch we went to the centre of Rouen, to the Market Square, site of Joan’s execution. We ate in the Tavola, a restaurant in a

15th

century building and from there we walked along some of the city’s mediaeval cobbled streets lined with wonderful buildings

from this time, via the beautiful ‘Gros Horloge’ (Old Clock) to the magnificent 11th

century cathedral. Our afternoon visit was to

see the Joan of Arc Historial Exhibition situated in the Archbishop’s Palace next to the cathedral. The exhibition takes one to the

heart of the 15th

century and tells Joan’s story, and in particular the judicial investigation and her trial, using 3D projection and

audiovisual effects. Truly inventive if a little tiring for the more infirm amongst us as each part of the story is in a different room

linked by many, many spiral starircases!

We left Rouen at 5pm to return to Mondeville. As we had a very early departure the next day, some of us decided upon an early

night...............some partied into the wee hours, however. Enough said!

6.15am on a cold Monday morning saw us reunited at Mondeville Leisure Centre. After lots of goodbye hugs and kisses we were

en route for the ferry by 6.30am. It was still pretty dark and once we had been shown to our private lounge on the ferry, I went up

to deck 10 and took photos of a most beautiful sunrise over the sand dunes. The sea was like a millpond and we were on time in

to Portsmouth. The journey back was uneventful and after a brief stop we arrived back in Northam at 6.15pm.

The consensus of opinion amongst the group was that it had been an excellent five days. Our French friends could not have been

most hospitable and welcoming; the Mondeville Twinning Committee had planned an excellent 3 days of activities; we could not

have had a nicer, more professional coach driver in John, nor a more comfortable coach; and the weather had been good too.

Result!

Dawlish Coming Events On January 29th we are holding a French themed quiz night at The Manor House, 7pm start and £3.00 per person, bring your own drinks. On Feb 9th there will be a talk by Felicity Harper , archivist of the Courtney Family of Powderham Castle again at the Manor House at 2.30 and it is free with tea and cake. On March 18th there will be our annual Skittles Competition at The Brunswick Arms at 7pm, more details to follow but it would be good to see other Twinning Associations to challenge us. We need all the help we can get to increase our membership and to raise money for our visitors next year which will be our 40th anniversary. Meryl Harries (Secretary)

Distance is no problem with a Website

Especially for Freddie. On my recent visit to Hofheim, Germany (one of our twin towns) I was greatly surprised to find one of their members reads our newsletter Home from Home. He inquired what the word ‘slip’ meant. You write and say please return the slip below and he always thought a ‘slip’ was an under garment! (Yes it was a man) well I did enlighten him but it made me think our English language is difficult and we do have many meaning for the same word. I decided to look the word ‘slip’ up in the dictionary and here are the following meanings. Slip: Act of slipping – blunder –accidental piece of information – evade a person – slip of the tongue – Under garment – slope on which ships are built – small piece of paper for making notes – cricket term – caught in the slips – for coating clay to make a pattern in it. See what I mean. Jean (Editor)

Shearings Holidays – Weekend Breaks

Shearings Self Drive are offering some bargain breaks, from October to the end of April, three nights

(Friday to Monday), half board can be as little as £89 per person for the whole break and on the Saturday

evening you get a voucher allowing you four free drinks, how they do it at this price is a question I can’t

answer.

During October fifteen members of Tiverton Town Twinning Association enjoyed an excellent weekend at

the Valley of Rocks Hotel, Lynton. The hotel was full, a group of 45 ramblers from Bristol filling many of

the bedrooms. A really excellent breakfast was available (self-service) and there was a choice for the

evening meal (waiter service). Entertainment on all three nights.

Shearings have several hotels dotted around the South West, St.Mawes, Newquay and St.Ives in Cornwall

and several more in Devon as well as Weymouth and Western-Super-Mare.

You may not be interested in organising a group but you can just book yourself in as a couple, single rooms

are in short supply and carry a supplement of £5 per night. Car-parking is also £5 per day when available.

You can book on line: Just type in Shearings Self-drive or you can phone 0788 9854 834 Group bookings

(10 or more people) 01803 290029.

From Home to Home Heart to Heart From one place to another The warmth and joy of Christmas Bring us closer to each other.

Yealmpton Twinning First Timers by Barbara and Brian Kidd

We are newcomers to the village, having moved to Yealmpton from East Anglia just over one

year ago. During dinner with our new neighbours we were persuaded (after a glass or two) to

join the village Twinning Association. With some trepidation we agreed that we would make

the group trip to Milizac this year. This would be a whole new experience for us.

We need not have been concerned; the whole weekend was wonderful even the weather was

by far the best of the year to date. Our fellow “Twinners” from Yealmpton made us very

welcome from the moment we met and some of us enjoyed a convivial wine tasting on the

ferry crossing to prepare us for what was to come!

On arrival in France we were welcomed by our hosts with drinks and refreshments at the

excellent new Sports Centre in Milizac. Our host family were also new to twinning; a young

couple with children. They both spoke near perfect English, a great help as our French is

minimal. Following the Group welcome we departed with our hosts to their home where they

prepared a superb barbeque. We enjoyed a lovely evening with a little wine consumed!

The next day we visited the Brest International Maritime Festival with our family. The beautiful

harbour provided a spectacular backdrop for the many tall ships in full sail and the multitude of

smaller vessels that attend this quadrennial festival. After a very hot morning walking and

admiring the magnificent ships in the harbour we retired to a quiet restaurant away from the

main activities and crowds for a leisurely lunch.

In the evening everybody attended a dinner in Milizac. The wine flowed and the singing and

dancing increased and we all left very happy having had a great time.

On the final full day we met up with some of the families for an enjoyable lunch time get-

together and a walk by the sea. During our stay we also visited other villages and coastal

landmarks with our hosts and met other members of their family. It was certainly a frenetic

weekend but incredibly enjoyable and the hospitality marvellous. It is a great opportunity to be

able to experience the French way of life and explore a beautiful area with very friendly people.

We are now looking forward to entertaining our new French friends on their return visit.