This year in August we hosted our Cormeilles friends and it was good to see a number of new faces, both British and French. The fun included a reception at the Drill Hall followed in the evening by a ceilidh at Earlswood where Sheila did sterling work calling the dances in the absence of Rig-a-Jig’s main man. The day out to St Fagans was a great success, again largely due to the weather; and the Hog Roast with musical entertainment was also very enjoyable. As usual, many people voted the visit the best ever!

November saw the AGM, courtesy of the Beaufort Hotel; we also participated in another very popular Apple Day at the Drill Hall, where shots of Calvados and Viki’s French apple cake drew praise from all who sampled them! The year was rounded off by the excellent Christmas party with a Mamma Mia theme at Dewstow.

Sadly, Cliff our Treasurer, who had been battling illness for a while now, died in July. He had been an active and enthusiastic member of the Twinning for many years and his many and varied contributions will be sorely missed.

So 2011 is already well underway and the Twinning year started with the Munch & Punch at Carole and Ash’s. We are showing “Au Revoir les Enfants” at the Drill Hall this month and have plans for a quiz night, a wine-tasting evening and a BBQ before this summer’s visit to Cormeilles.

If you are not yet one of us but think you might like to join, do get in touch! We always welcome new members.

Friday brought the traditional Vin d’Honneur in the Town Hall where people renewed old friendships and made new ones. We had an extra treat that evening in the form of the choir of Epaignes, singing for us in the church there, followed by more vin.

The Saturday visit this year was to the splendid palace of Versailles, where a tour of the interior was followed by a picnic in the grounds.

Sunday morning saw several of us taking part in the service in the tiny Catholic church at Cormeilles, notable for its sloping floor and ancient box-style pews. Others preferred the more secular attractions of the market. We all gathered together at midday for one of those memorable French lunches that last all afternoon, complete with accordionist and dancing, not to mention singing!

Monday, not surprisingly, was a day of recovery spent in varying ways with our hosts.

All too soon it was Tuesday, time to wave goodbye and set off on our way. We spent some time in the interesting town of Bayeux before boarding the ferry and travelling home.

Many thanks, as always, to our  hosts for looking after us so well. A la prochaine!

2009 Cormeilles

2009 15th century building, Cormeilles

2009 Cormeilles

2009 inside Cormeilles church

2009 meal & accordionist Cormeilles

2009 meal Cormeilles

2009 Picnic Versailles

2009 Picnic Versailles

2009 Picnic Versailles

2009 Picnic Versailles

Duck Race 2009

The Duck Race took place at Mounton Rapids, Pwllmeyric, at 12 noon on Sunday 15^th March. A beautiful sunny day ensured a large turn-out of supporters and the event was a great success.  Our grateful thanks to SARA (Severn Area Rescue Association) http://www.sara-rescue.org.uk/ for the hire of the ducks. The results are as follows:

Duck Race 2009