|
Didcot–Meylan Twinning Association |
|
|
|
Didcot–Meylan Twinning Association |
|
Newsletter no.8, October 2002
Editorial
This is the first Newsletter from the new Committee elected in June. The
Committee is arranging a series of events over the coming year to raise
awareness of the Twinning Association, increase membership and raise funds.
The other major activity the Committee will be doing this year is to organise
a trip to Meylan in the Spring. The Committee is still looking for additional
officers to help with running the Twinning Association.
ooo0ooo
In this issue you will find details of :
A Wine and Cheese Evening and
Dates for our Visit to Meylan next March
ooo0ooo
Annual General Meeting 2002
The AGM was held on 13 June 2002 at the Civic Hall. Disappointingly on
13 people attended the meeting.
In his report the chairman, Cheng Lee, said that he was pleased that the
visit by Meylan had finally taken place in April after having to be cancelled
twice in 2001. The cancellations had meant that we had lost the EC grant
that had been so hard won and this meant the visit in April 2002 had had
a greater impact on the Twinning Associations resources than expected. Also
because of the need to cancel bookings in 2001 we had lost a number of deposits.
He reported that there had been two resignations from the committee during
the year, Jane Chinnock and Tony Baker. While Geoff Oldham had taken over
as Secretary from Jane a new treasurer is still being sought. Finally Cheng
thanked all the Committee members for their hard work over the past year.
Cheng had decided to stand down as Chairman after two years in this role
and at the Election of Officers, Sue Totterdell was elected as Chairman
and Geoff Oldham as Secretary. Anne Goff and Susie Northfield were elected
as ordinary member of the committee. There were no nominations for Treasurer
& Membership Secretary or for Sponsorship Secretary and these positions
remain vacant.
There was a unanimous vote of thanks for Cheng Lee for his Chairmanship
and hard work over the past two years.
Committee of the Didcot-Meylan Twinning Association from 14 June 2002
Chair: Dr Sue Totterdell
Secretary: Dr Geoff Oldham
Treasurer and
Membership Secretary: Vacant
Sponsorship Secretary: Vacant
Ordinary Member Mrs Anne Goff
Ordinary Member Mrs Susie Northfield
Visit to Meylan in 2003
The Committee has been in discussion with the Meylan Twinning Committee
to find suitable dates for a party from Didcot to go to Meylan in the first
half of next year. March or June had been suggested as the best months from
our point of view because local elections in May would mean no Councillors
will be able to attend in April or the first half of May.
We have now agreed that the dates of the visit will be around the weekend
of the 22 and 23 March. If you would like to join the visiting party please
let one of the Committee know as possible. All of those going will need
to pay their own travel expenses but hosts will be found to provide accommodation
once in Meylan. The Committee will organise transport on behalf of the
party. Preliminary investigations suggest that whether we go by train or
air the costs will be about £120 per person. It may be possible for
the Meylan Twinning Committee to apply for a grant to help defray some of
the travel costs but this cannot be guaranteed.
Twinning Association Events 2002/2003
The Committee is planning a number of events in late 2002 and early 2003
for current and potential future members of the Twinning Association. The
first of these is a:
Wine and Cheese Evening to be held on Thursday, 21 November 2002, in the
Civic Hall from 7:30 – 9:30 pm. The evening will be the opportunity to
try 6 different French wines (3 white and 3 red) along with a selection
of tasty French cheeses. Tickets are only £4 per person - available
from Geoff Oldham (816602) [or, between 12-17 November, Sue Totterdell (850080)].
Numbers are limited so hurry and get your tickets now!
Other Events
In February there will be skittles evening and in May we will hold a plant
sale. The latter will help to raise some funds for the Twinning Association
to help provide for running costs. So if you have any spare plants that
you cannot use they will be very welcome. Please let any member of the Committee
know nearer the time.
We will keep you informed of dates and venues as these are firmed up.
Membership
The Committee intends to work hard this year in building up the membership
of the Twinning Association. We are looking not only for individual and
family members but also for associations and organisations to join.
So if you are not a member already why not join and show your commitment
to twinning. The fee for an individual or family is a modest £5 p.a.
and guarantees you receive notice of Twinning Association events and preference
on twinning visits.
If you are a member please bring the Association to the attention of friends,
neighbours, colleagues and organisations that would be interested in joining.
Committee Members Needed!!!!!
As you can see from the note of the AGM we have 2 vacancies for officers
on the Twinning Committee. If you feel that you would like to take an active
part in the twinning activities and can spare a little of your spare time
why not join the Committee in some capacity. We normally meet once a month
(more frequently when a visit is about to take place) at the houses of Committee
Members. If you are interested please contact Geoff Oldham (816602).
Website
Do not forget further information on the Didcot-Meylan twinning Association
can be found on our web-site: www.didcottwinning.org.uk
Meylan Associations
So far most exchanges between Didcot and Meylan have taken place between
Councillors, schools and general citizens. The Twinning Committees of Didcot
and Meylan would like to start to encourage more exchanges between the organisations
and associations of our two towns that have common interests.
Meylan has a wide range of cultural and sporting associations, all of which
would like to hear from their ‘twins’ in Didcot. Some of these associations
are: Athletics, Hunting, Cycling, Archery, Fencing, Dance (of all sorts),
Fishing, Gymnastics, Acrobatics, Aïkido, Judo, Karate, Kendo, Taekwondo,
Boules, Pétanque, the Fire Brigade, Music (choirs, orchestras, etc),
Painting, Sculpture, Photography, Drama, Boxing, Ex-Servicemens Association,
Climbing, Volleyball, Badminton, Rowing, Basketball, Yoga, Skiing, Carpentry/Woodworking,
Bridge, Football, Astronomy, Kick-Boxing, Handball, Kung-fu, Swimming, Diving,
Palet Bavardois (a sort of curling on asphalt), Horse riding, Swimming, Scouts,
Model Aeroplanes, Sailing, Tennis, Table tennis, Tai Chi Chuan.
Many of the associations listed above cater for all ages and handicapped
as well as able-bodied participants.
Meylan holds an annual ‘Forum of Associations’ where the towns associations
display and demonstrate what they are about. Didcot is invited to send
representatives to this event and we hope to do this in 2003.
If you would like to get in touch with your twin association in Meylan
to discuss possible exchanges please contact Geoff Oldham (01235 816602).
Further information on Meylan Associations can be found on the Meylan website:
www.mairie-meylan.fr