Newsletter Winter 2020 Twinning

 

Chairman’s Report 

This is our first newsletter for 2020 and I hope you all had a jolly good Christmas and I’d like to wish you all a Healthy and Happy New Year.  Is it just me or does it all seem a long time ago now?  

             Our Social secretary Jean and her team have been busy, as usual, organising events to keep us all entertained and in touch with one another for the next year. We’ve already had a successful Scottish themed meal which was enjoyed by all. The next event is a Chinese style meal by Les and David in February. I would like to thank our ever willing band of helpers who make these events happen, thank you all and thank all you members who support the functions.  

              We have a busy year ahead of us again starting with hosting Chinon in May, our Chinon secretary, John Smith, is busy with his team organising dates, times and events and will no doubt inform you when he has more information. (see later in this newsletter) 

              Our Hofhiem secretary, Angie, has booked our coach to Heathrow and flights to Frankfurt and is busy fine tuning the visit to Hofheim in June. We still need photo’s and memorabilia of the past 40 years of twinning with Hofheim for an exhibition during our celebrations there in June. 

               Best Wishes, Phil 

Hofheim Report 

Plans are proceeding well for our visit to Hofheim between 25th -30th June. 

We have currently 39 people booked to come. 

As it is the 40th anniversary the Germans are planning lots of extra things. Their will be people from Chinon as well as Italians and Polish.. 

They have asked us to bring photos of our twinning from the last 40 years, so if you have any interesting ones could you please send them to me or Phil. (you will have them back). Any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.            Angie  01884 254376 

 

  CHINON Report. 

As you will know, our friends from Chinon will be visiting Tiverton this year in May.  They should arrive on Thursday May 7th and return to France on Tuesday May 12th.  At the time of writing this report, we do not know how many guests will be coming or how they will be travelling.  As soon as I have these details, I will be in contact with you to make arrangements for hosting. 

We are progressing with the formulation of the programme for the visit and hope to finalise it at our next Committee meeting in early February. 

As it is anticipated that our guests will again be travelling by coach, we have endeavoured to avoid any long journeys on the Friday and Monday.  It should also be remembered that the Friday (May 8th) is a Bank Holiday as it is the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. 

The proposed programme is:- 

Friday May 8th 

      Buffet Lunch at St George’s Hall Tiverton 

      Afternoon visit to Tiverton castle/Fenix Coaches 

      Evening BBQ at Calverleigh Village Hall with entertainment (barn dancing) 

 

Saturday May 9th 

      Mayor’s reception at the New Hall at lunchtime 

      Possibly cream tea at the Canal 

 

Sunday May 10th 

      Day trip to the Eden Project 

 

Monday May 11th 

      Free day with hosts 

      Evening farewell dinner (venue to be confirmed) 

 

The Committee continues to work on these arrangements and final details will be provided when the programme is completed. 

    

John 

   Christmas Meal 

Once again Wally and his team lived up to their repetition and produced an excellent Christmas meal. The hall was decorated for Christmas and the tables with lanterns and lit candles gave a warm welcome as you entered.  On each table were Christmas Quiz Sheets, many people attempted to answer the questions during the evening and the winner was Angie Cockburn, well done Angie. 

The meal began with the choice of Prawn cocktail or Duck and orange pate, the pate was a bit slow in coming I guess due to the fact that it was served with toast. Turkey, roast potatoes, brussel sprouts, done to my liking (mushy) but not to everyone’s liking, carrots and peas, pigs in blankets, stuffing and gravy. Please can Jean put in an order for 2020 for roast parsnips as I adore them.  Christmas pudding was served or fruit salad with a choice of double or clotted cream. Meal completed we were able to purchase Bingo tickets and played three rounds, the caller being the lady behind the bar. First line winner was Pauline Knowles and she also won the second line, winning two tins of biscuits. Third line was won by Jack Gray winning a box of shortbreads. An enjoyable evening and I understand the date has already been booked for next year. Good on you Wally we all look forward to it. 

Jean 

New Year Lunch 

                  

                                                                                                                                                                 Photos by David Garcia 

 

As you can see by the photographs, members are enjoying the New Year Lunch of Pumpkin soup, Haggis with Neeps and Tatties ( mash potatoes) plus a tot of whisky, this was followed by traditional Scottish pudding of Cranachan. Our thanks must go to all those helpers that did the cooking, washing up, served the meal and laid up the tables, it is hard but well worth work.  

 

Change of Address or Telephone number will you please inform Pauline Stone to allow her to keep our records up to date. Email: philstone41@gmail.com Tel: 256996 

 

Social Events. 

 

We recently had a social planning meeting and the next event will be: 

 

March 1st at Halberton and it will be a St.David’s Day meal 12.30 for 1 more details to follow as regards menu. 

 

It takes a while to get all the other plans confirmed but as soon as I can I will let you know the dates, venues etc. so you can put them in your diary.