AGM 2001 Annual Reports
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Membership Secretary
Chairman's Report
Dear Members,
Thank you for your loyal support during the last twelve months. It is at this
period of calm before the storm of our normal organisational and twinning events
that we look to the past year and I would like to summarise the important events
that happened during this period.
It has been a difficult time for your committee with nobody stepping forward to
take over the positions of Vice-Chairperson for France or that of Association
Secretary. This has put a strain on myself at odd times usually when one least
expects it.
There was however some good news as Jim Byrne has recovered well from his illness
and was able to continue with his position of Vice-Chairman for Germany. We
were all extremely pleased for Jim and Hazel and long may his good health continue.
At the end of May we went to Weilerswist to help them celebrate the 100 year
anniversary of their Fire Service, I myself, never fully realised the extent and
importance of the occasion. It was tremendous and I feel very honoured that our
friends would involve us so sincerely and with genuine pleasure at our involvement.
It left me very humble to be in the presence of such brave men and their women.
We were pleased and gratified that our Mayor, Brian Smart together with the
Deputy Mayor, Tony Heath was able to represent the town on an official basis ,
as well as enjoying the wonderful hospitality of our hosts.
I am sure Jim Byrne will go into more detail about the visit, I will only repeat
that everyone I spoke to had a truly wonderful time. All thanks to everyone who
organised the visit including the service and entertainment afforded us by the
ladies on the coach. Shhh! You know whom.
On the Tuesday after we returned from Germany, a combined group of 63 French
schoolchildren and their teachers under the leadership of the headmaster Claude
Sauveton visited Whitnash for the day. They were all children between nine and
eleven years old from Les Casseaux School Villebon-sur-Yvette who had expressed
a wish to spend some time with their English counterparts in Whitnash.
After a photoshoot together with the Mayor Brian Smart, the visitors were separated
into three groups each going to the schools in Whitnash, St Margaret's, St Joseph's
and the Combined School where they spent the morning mixing lessons with pupils,
then having lunch together.
After saying fond farewells the full party met up at St Margaret's Church where
Councillor Ian Box gave a presentation on the history of the church and Whitnash.
A tour of the town complete with an expressed wish to see Chesterton Windmill was
carried out by coach. At the end of the trip an English cream tea was served to
everyone at the Methodist Church hall where each child was presented with a
kitchen tea towel depicting prominent and historical scenes in Whitnash. The
headmaster was also presented with the book of Whitnash written by Ian Box's sister.
The visit was appreciated as being a big success and was a wonderful opportunity
to promote Whitnash from the bottom up. For all the committee members, ordinary
members, councillors and everyone who contributed their time and help the team
effort was fantastic. Thank uou all very much indeed.
On their return to France I received a letter of thanks from the children which
each of them had signed.
Since those visits we have had a number of fund raising events which our Social
Secretary Jackie Eales has put a lot of time and effort into organising. There
has been a Barbecue, Coach Visit to Leeds, Car Boot sale, and a Quiz Night. It
is disappointing at times to find so many of the members not supporting these
events.
It is only the healthy balance provided by these efforts which allows the
Association to put on such a good show when our visitors come here. I know it is
not always easy to come to these functions due to family commitments etc., but
if it is at all possible please show your support and have some fun at the same
time. Your periodic newsletter will keep you updated about any forthcoming events.
Soon we will be on our way to France again, at the end of May. This time the party
is smaller than usual (21) with the majority travelling by air, but I am sure, as
always, we will have a very good time. I am sure you will all be brought up to date
with the first newsletter on our return.
Vice Chairman's Report
In May 2000 31 adults and 3 children visited Weilerswist. On arrival we were welcomed by
Bürgermeister Armen Fuss together with President Manfred Gerhold, Vice President Marianne
Depka and other members of their committee. The sight of the Bürgermeister being raised up
in the new fire-fighting appliance was an uplifting experience!
The Fire Brigade were celebrating their Centenary and various functions were arranged for
the weekend. Friday we were taken on a tour of the Ahr Valley followed by a walk in the
vineyards, ending with lunch in a local restaurant and afterwards we had the opportunity to
partake in some wine tasting.
In the evening Alistair and I were invited to the Brigades Awards Ceremony where we presented
the Brigade with a watercolour of the Leamington Town hall on behalf of the Twinning
Association.
Saturday we visited the Watermill at Birgel and in the evening we were invited to join the
Fire Brigades festivities in the giant marquee in the town centre.
Sunday we again were invited to join the Fire Brigade at their Ecumenical service in the
marquee. A Parade of many Brigades branches along with other various societies, and a
demonstration of Brigade vehicles followed this.
In the afternoon our Mayor Brian Smart and Alistair joined forces with Bürgermeister Armen
Fuss and Manfred Gerhold in planting a friendship tree. A cream tea in the Boules club
followed this.
The rest of the week was taken up by trips to Trier, Euskirchen and Bonn.ending with a
German/English farewell party, during which Alistair and I made a presentation to Herr
Berger,the head teacher of the local school, of a sculpture depicting hands of friendship,
on behalf of Campion School and Community College.
Thursday June 1st we made our way back to Whitnash after what was a thoroughly enjoyable
visit. We are now busily making plans for the visit of our German friends to Whitnash on
1st September to 8th September 2001.
Membership Secretary's Report
The Committee would like to welcome as new members Gary and Jacqui Price and their two
children Charlotte and Jack. We hope they will enjoy "the Twinning Experience"!.
The total number of members at this time is 82, consisting of the following:
- 75 Adults
- 31 Families
- 7 Children
- 13 Singles
I hope you all are looking forward to taking part in both French and German exchange visits
this year.
