Newsletter December 2009
Chairman Thierry De Nitto and the Committee wish all members
and friends in Winchester and in Laon a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
The 2010 exchange visit to our friends in Laon will be from Friday April
30th to Monday May 3rd
Now that the date has been agreed the Committee are keen to assemble as much
information as possible about members’ intentions.
To assist the planning we would like to know how many members are interested in
coming. Have they stayed with a family in the past and would they like to stay
with them again? Are they in contact with the family regarding the visit? Do
they plan to travel to Laon on the coach or take their own car? There are
advantages of travelling by our own coach but it depends on sufficient numbers
to make it cost effective.
Please let Thierry De Nitto know as soon as possible your intentions and any
arrangements you may have made with your friends in Laon.
The Three Kings are on their way and it’s time to reserve
your place at our most popular social evening
The Fête des Rois
On 8th January 2010
At St Lawrence Hall, Colebrook Street Winchester
Don’t miss it!
The celebration commences at 7.30 pm and a substantial hot
supper of a main course followed by cheese and galettes will be served. A
vegetarian option is available if requested in advance. Wine and soft drinks
will accompany the meal. The cost for members is £12.00 each. To reserve your
place please contact Harry Wright by the 18th December 2009.
COOKS REQUIRED
Will any members able to help with the cooking for the Fête des Rois evening
please contact Gill Foster.
THE 16TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
An edited report of the proceedings follows.
The 16th Annual General Meeting was held on 13th October 2009 and attended by
19 members. The Deputy Mayor of Winchester Cllr. Richard Izard chaired the
meeting.
Chairman’s Report
The Chairman's Report can be found here
Treasurer’s Report
On a personal note, I have to say that keeping the books proved to be a task
made much more difficult this year owing to the accident I suffered just after
Christmas when I was hit by a car and had my right shoulder fractured. This
meant depending on the help of my family and the generous support of Celia and
Thierry De Nitto, particularly in the preparations and finance connected with
the visit of our friends from Laon. Later in the year my computer gave up the
struggle, so I am now getting to grips with a new laptop.
An encouraging year
Twinning finances have been fairly encouraging, as I hope the Balance Sheet for
the year shows. The fund-raising and social events contributed usefully to our
income, and the expenses for the visit of our Laonnois friends were much as we
had budgeted. The small rise in subscriptions agreed at our last AGM was, I
believe, well justified. Our subscriptions, thanks to the efforts of our
Membership Secretary, Gill Foster, came in more promptly, (they promise to be
even better in the coming year), and covered the expenses of the newsletter and
other administrative items. Particular thanks must go to Thierry for his work on
the application for the City Community Chest Grant, which brought the
Association £500 towards our activities during the year.
Account difficulties
It seems to me that the restriction on the Association’s Bank Book, requiring
two signatures for any withdrawal of more than £150 needs changing. Our
insurance, and sometimes deposits for hall hire, etc, are often about £150. It
was difficult at times during the earlier part of the year to arrange meetings
with the Chairman at Abbey (Santander) to make withdrawals appropriately.
Auditing
Once again I must thank Stuart Dorward for examining and auditing the Annual
Accounts. Thank you, too, all those members who have supported the work of the
Association during the past year.
Harry Wright, Honorary Treasurer
Membership Secretary’s Report.
We had 48 members last year but, so far, only 23 had paid this year’s
subscriptions. The outstanding 25 are being contacted. Having the e-mail
addresses of many members had made the Membership Secretary’s job a lot easier
and it is hoped that more members will add their names to the list.
Election of Officers
The following were duly elected/re-elected:
Chairman Thierry De Nitto; Secretary Michael Smith; Treasurer Harry Wright;
Membership Secretary Gill Foster. Committee Members: Celia De Nitto; Bodil
Cowan; Phil Waterton; Christine Warr and Richard Osmond.
At the close of the meeting a glass of wine was offered to members.
Treasurer and Secretary urgently required to join the Committee.
Harry Wright and Michael Smith, long serving and dedicated members of the
Association, are retiring from the Committee after many years of service.
For the Treasurer’s position a replacement is urgently required. For the
Secretary’s position a committee member has volunteered to fill the gap until
the next AGM when a permanent replacement will be needed.
Will any members who feel they could undertake either of the two vacancies
please contact Thierry De Nitto, telephone:01962 626962
The annual visit of French Student Teachers
Next year we shall be hosting a group of around 14 young student teachers from
the Teacher Training Department of the University of Amiens which is based in
Laon. They will arrive on March 23rd and leave on March 28th.
During the visit the students spend time at a number of primary schools in
the Winchester area to gain some insight into the English Primary School System.
A “Bring and Share” supper evening will be held at the St Lawrence Hall on
Saturday March 27th.. This will be open to all members giving them the
opportunity to meet the French students socially.
The Committee will shortly be asking for volunteer hosts for around 14 paying
guests. More details at the Fête des Rois evening.
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