|
|
|
|
Chairman’s upbeat report to the AGM - 19th October 2007This time last year, I was rather downcast about the future of our Association. A year on and I am much more hopeful and positive. Three things which have contributed to my feelings are as follows. Firstly the work of Gill Foster, our Membership Secretary, who has done a marvellous job chasing subs and gathering email addresses allowing Harry to focus on his accounts! Secondly, the committee’s work with Averil McDonald on our new publicity materials. Please distribute as many pens and leaflets as you can. as we want to keep on raising the profile of our Association. Don’t worry if they all go, that’s the whole point! Thirdly the wide variety of Twinning activities this year which were both stimulating and exhausting in equal measure. Coming together As usual we saw in the New Year with a hot meal and some fun games at our Fête des Rois evening. More tortuous games were evident at our slightly early Poisson d’Avril evening in March which saw a select gathering enjoying take away Fish and Chips. No Teacher Training students from Laon this year, fingers crossed for 2008. April saw the peaceful yet very moving memorial service for Bill Kirby which some members attended. Friends and family shared their memories of a great Winchester gentleman. If you were there, I’m sure you would agree with Celia about the excellent buffet. She’s having Quakers do all our catering from now on! The biggest event ever Only one week later came the biggest Twinning event I’ve ever been involved in. Twinners, walkers and singers descended on Winchester - more than 70 in total! It was a logistical challenge/nightmare to ensure beds and activities for all but thanks to our friends in the Cercle Français we managed to accommodate everyone and a scorching weekend took place. The committee spent the weekend running between the events - Mayoral receptions, concerts, walks and a wonderful dinner at the Royal Hotel in Winchester. Football tournament Just when I thought we could relax, the Friendship Football Tournament revved up in time for another weekend of running and liaising between three different countries in three different languages. Despite the poor weather and disappointing support from spectators and Twinners, the participants had a great weekend of sport and fun as only teams on tour can! Laon won the tournament as you may have seen in the photos! Initiatives To end the summer, we tried something new, a picnic at Littleton. We had a very English afternoon tea and buffet with children in the park and petanque on the grass. As always Harry was on hand with a raffle to raise funds for future events. Talking of the future,we have dates for the January dinner and the visit with Winchester Choir to Laon. Other initiatives we supported were the cycle ride to Laon by Simon Eden of the City Council, joined this year by the President of the Laon Football Club. I was asked to countersign an application to the city by Winchester Blue Badge Guides for a grant towards the costs of receiving the Laon Tourist Office Guides. City partnership Recently the Committee decided not to join a new partnership initiative in the city. Currently the activities of our own association take up most of our time and it was felt that we do not at the moment have enough support from the City Council to expand any further. However, members who would like to support Winchester Giessen Twinning Group are encouraged to do so. Sincere thanks to all Finally, many thanks to all members who attended events this year and thank you, as always, to the brilliant committee who supported me so well throughout the year. A Merry Christmas to you all. Thierry De Nitto. |
|
![[Under Construction]](images/undercon.gif)