Twinning Association Trip
We have just returned from a trip to the Loire Valley in France – 18 of us, who belong to the local Twinning Association went over the weekend before last for four days. We take it in turns to visit & this year it was our turn to visit France.
The French entertained us really well, initially we went to a ”welcome do” at a local winery. They had arranged an English speaking guide to explain how the wine was processed in days gone by and then what the up-to-date process entailed. We then went home with our hosts Jeanette and Camille and had a wonderful supper.
The next day, one of their members held a lovely picnic in their garden (tends to be lots of eating & copious glasses of wine with all meals) which finished at around 3.30pm and we then had to be at a hotel that evening for 7pm for another reception and a three course meal, then dancing. We finished about midnight and fell into bed – feeling very full!
The following day they took us by coach (about 2 hrs away) to a trogledite village – not only were there caves cut into the hillside where people used to live but also caves where they grew different types of mushrooms, as a business. They told us that the US were the biggest producers of mushrooms in the world, but that hoped they would match them one day. While inside the caves we had a four course meal(with mushrooms & you guessed it, more wine). We were then taken to see a château, then on to an old abbey, which had a checked history of housing nuns then monks and later stil was known to be one of the worst prisons in France! We arrived home at around 9pm and our hosts then set about getting a meal!!!! Bless them – another four course meal!!!
On the final day, we went out with our hosts. They know that I like gardening and they took us to see some tropical gardens, which were really impressive. There was a great deal of walking but I managed to keep up (arthritis & breathing not too good) Our hosts, Janette and Camille who we have known for a number of years, looked after us extremely well, probably too well and I came back 4lb heavier – glad to say I have now lost this!!!!
The French actually get a grant from the local town council to help with visits but we have no such luxury and have to raise the money (probably about £4-5,000)ourselves. We hold all sorts of events thoughout the year – quiz nights: BBQs: having a stall in the local street market: beetle drives: cinema nights (with old black & white films with fish & chip supper)+ coffee mornings with home made cakes etc + a host of other things. We are always trying to come up with new ideas. We used to give a cash sum as a prize for the best language student to each of our schools, but only one senior school now teaches French.
It is extremely difficult to get English youngsters interested in joining any type of group/association in our local town (apart from the football club). When speaking to other Twinning groups near us, they are finding exactly the same problems. We are probably the youngest in our group!!! lol
Where as, twenty years ago, going to France was an adventure, it does not have the same interest now for the young people – they want to go further afield to the the Far East,India or Africa – France for them is rather tame. For this reason the association nearly closed earlier this year, so we have our work cut out to try and revitalise it.
We had a lovely time with all our French friends and we look forward to hosting them next year.
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Hi Kingfisher,
Thanks so much for a most interesting blog. Please explain something to do – what is a “Twinning Society?” Is it like an exchange program where one year you visit a country where their members host you, and the following one, they visit you and you put them up? It sounds like a heck of a good idea and lots of fun.
That is exactly how it works Jojo. Most towns in the UK are “twinned” with towns in Europe – France, Belgium and Germany are the main ones (please someone correct me if I am wrong). Our town in twinned with Vallet in the Loire Valley and our particular society has been going for over 25 years. Some towns are twinned with several communities in Europe, but its normally only one.
We have a small committee of 9 people and some 75 members. They pay a nominal subscription of £5 a year. As you can guess its often the same individuals who get involved with the fund raising, organising of events and selling tickets – and the odd couple who shout the loudest or criticise what we do, but always have an excuse why they cannot help. (makes my blood boil)
My hubby is the chairman and until Christmas I was secretary (had to give up as my arthritis was really bad in my hand/wrist, made taking notes difficult) however I am still on the committee. When its our turn to host, I have to try and find hosts for however many people are coming over, sometimes quite challenging. Last year we had 38 that visited plus their coach driver but we found out afterward that the French committee had advertised the visit, as they needed to ensure they had a full coach – so some individuals were not twinning members, just there for a free holiday. We discussed this problem when we had a joint commitee meeting the other week. It difficult enough to find people who are kind enough to put people up, feed them and take them out (when its a free day) but even more frustrating afterwards to find out you won’t see them again – and they themselves would not be hosting when we visit France. This time we have put a limit on the numbers of 25.
With the society going so long, a lot of our members stay with the same people each time, or we try to match them up as best we can. In respect of the French visiting us, we do similar things that the French do for us. We always have a welcome reception, plus a day out somewhere – we are quite lucky being in the Midlands – so many places to visit and not too far away. In the past visits have been to Coventry cathedral: Worcester to visit the famous chinaware makers: Birmingham to see the pen museum and the famous gold district: Oxford: Black Country Museum etc. We would, as they did for us arrange lunch. They would normally have a free day with the individual host – often we arrange BBQs etc where we all pitch in – then there would be a dinner arranged at a venue and lots of dancing. The British are so reserved but the French are much more relaxed and after a glass or two and some coaxing we usually managed to get the most shy English man up to join in the dancing and have fun. A couple of times we have had a English/French caller for the dancing. We normally give each lady a small present (need to rack your brains over this!) and the gentleman also receive a gift.
So, Jojo – even after me moaning, we do have fun raising money to fund all this and a great many of us have found some long lasting friendships. Whether the society will continue for much longer is another question……….a case of wait and see…..
I agree.. I wonder if there are more of those in other countries… I will surely check!!
So glad you shared this on the blog King, so all can see what a nice concept !! It was wonderful to share your adventure with you and as you see, something very new to us.
Thanks!!!
That sounds so interesting king .and it sounds as if you put a lot of time and effort into it.These clubs always have the hard workers like you ,and the ones that complain ,and do very little but without the likes of you they wouldn’t survive at all.keep up the good work.
I agree entirely with macathy – the moaners are the ones who do nothing much to help. I think it was somewhat nervy on the part of the French to have included a whole lot of non members expecting to get a free holiday out of it. I think you’re right to restrict it to members only. Why should you host and entertain strangers who have no intention of returning the favour?
I’m so glad you had a wonderful time, and sad that the society may end. It is a wonderful concept, and a great way to meet new friends.
It is a great concept…I see a lot of towns that are twinned in the UK….How sad that younger people are not interested….surely the whole idea of this is not just to visit the place but to meet the people and build up relationships……something which seems to be a dying thing. Thankyou Kingfisher for sharing this with us…we have moved from the W Midlands to Notts….must find out if our village is twinned…I have not seen any signs…but maybe neighbouring towns are.
xxxx M
Thank you all for your comments – Jojo, Morvenna, Foreveryoung, Mcathy and Nita.