|
|
|
|
SUMMER BBQ 13th JULY 2008 at 13.00hrs, at the Scout Hut Burnt House Lane Bransgore residents of all ages are most welcome to join the Bransgore Twinning Association which can easily be arranged by contacting Judy Laugher on 01425 674230 who will be delighted to provide all details. Skittles Evening 17th November About 80 members, family and friends met at the Burnthouse Lane Social club hall for an evening of skittles - and fish and chips and ice cream! An enjoyable evening - our thanks to the Committee for arranging it. Visit to France 2007 The Saturday morning of the May Bank Holiday was glorious at 6.30am when a coach left Bransgore for Portsmouth Harbour. Thirty six adults and ten children travelled to the ferry, hoping for a lovely week-end in France. They were disappointed with the weather, but delighted to be taking part in such a memorable visit.Bransgore is twinned family to family and several of the members have known their families for more than twenty years. Six new families had recently joined the association and so as old friends were re-united at St Georges Montcocq, new friendships were being forged. A brief moment for refreshment and recuperation was followed by a reception at La Salle Polyvalente, their Village hall. A vin d'honneur or welcome drink, was followed by brief speeches. Judith Allebon, Chair of the association presented the Mayor of St Georges Montcocq with a copy of the recently published book "The Annals of Avon". This is the story the Avon Tyrell Estate, written by Janet Burn and Patrick Elkins - a gift of some local significance is usually presented to the French village. A delicious evening meal was served, followed by delightful and excellent singing by a local group. Sunday dawned cold and extremely wet. The proposed visits went ahead regardless and the coaches headed for the coast with French and British families on board. The attempt to look at the viewpoint and out to the islands off the Normandy coast was a bit of a wash out as the heavens opened. Not to be daunted, the group moved on to Barfleur and the brave amongst us went to look at the point from which William sailed to claim the English throne - while the less brave found a cafe and hot coffee! A restored mill was the main visit of the morning and we were grateful to be under cover. One of France's well-loved poets grew up in the mill and was taught to read before she was five by the local priest. she raised her family, ran the mill and wrote poetry - a quite woman. Each of the French families had made a picnic for their guests. Ninety one of us crowded into a barn and squeezed together at the tables while it rained steadily. Sunday afternoon had been set aside for a visit to the Isle de Tatihou where there are maritime gardens. It was too dangerous to walk across the causeway so we all travelled by boat - a boat with a difference - when the tide is low it runs on wheels then when the tide comes in - it floats out to the island. And the sun came out with perfect timing. We were all entertained in a variety of ways by our families on Sunday evening - some families went to restaurants, others held family parties or formal dinners. A thoroughly wet morning greeted us on Bank Holiday Monday when many of the French families also had the day off. Some left early and travelled back to Britain in severe storms. Those travelling by coach spent the day with their host families. The ferry for the coach party was delayed due to bad weather - but by the time it left the sea had calmed down and the crossing was very pleasant. A very tired group returned to Bransgore in the early hours of Tuesday morning, delighted that once again the twinning week-end had been such a success. Annual Summer Barbeque - July 8th Come to our Annual Summer Barbeque at the Scout HQ, Burnthouse Lane, Bransgore - Sunday 8th July from 12:45. Bring all the family and all your friends! Lots of good BBQ food (or veggie option) and sumptuous puddings. Bring your own bottles and glasses. Garden games. Special family tickets. 2007 Twinning Visit to France We will be visiting our friends in France Saturday 26th - Monday 28th May. Most of the members will be travelling by coach although others will be travelling independently. The coach will leave the village car park at 7.00am on Saturday May 26th and travel via Portsmouth - coming back we will leave Cherbourg on Monday May 28th at 19:00 on the fast craft returning to Portsmouth. Twinning Association Soirée Gordon & his Ensemble entertained us with live music whilst we enjoyed a super supper prepared by members of the committee - chicken chasseur, french bread and some rather special deserts. We were challenged with table quizzes and the evening finished with a little dancing. Click here to see some photos. Barn Dance About 75 members and guest enjoyed a rather energetic Barn Dance held at the Thorney Hill Community Centre Saturday 11th November. Live music was provided by the Woodsiders and their Caller kept everyone entertained with the dancing. The Ladies of the Committee laid on a supper with some rather good deserts. Click here to see some photos of the evening. 21 Years of Successful Twinning The Bransgore Twinning Association welcomed thirty adults and children from Normandy into various homes in the village during the May Bank holiday week-end. Bransgore has been twinned for twenty one years with St Georges Montcocq, near St Lô. Families are twinned with one another and visit alternate countries each year. The celebrations continued throughout the week-end. Eighty four people had the pleasure of dining on board the Wessex Belle, steaming out of Swanage and eating as the train travelled up and down the line on Saturday evening. The group arrived in Swanage in style, having journeyed across Dorset in a traditional double decker bus – click here to see photos of the evening. A reception and tea party was held in Bransgore Village Hall on Sunday afternoon and nearly one hundred people joined the lively party – click here to see the photos. During the afternoon the New Forest was represented by The Chair of the District Council. Mrs Sally Owen, Chair of Bransgore Parish Council and Sam Clark, the Parish Clerk, represented the political life of the Village. Reverend Richard Clarke represented the spiritual life of Bransgore. Bransgore Scout Group have often camped at St Georges Montcocq and they were represented by Mr and Mrs Mike Manley. Many of the Founder members whose vision it was to develop the concept of twinning attended the celebrations. Some Bransgore members can no longer travel and were thrilled to meet old friends and muse over shared experiences. Fifteen children joined in all the celebrations and added to the enthusiastic atmosphere. The French presented the Bransgore Twinning Association with a shield carrying the Normandy insignia and a pewter jug. We presented the French a collage of memorable photographs of twenty one years of friendship - a gift which really delighted the visitors – click here to see the collage. The 21st birthday cake was cut and a sumptuous tea was enjoyed by all. May Day is an important event in France. The visitors were entertained to a delightful tour of Christchurch by a bi-lingual guide – click here to see photos of the tour - and as they left more gifts were given. The winners of the children's competition about Bransgore were announced. Lauren Bennet presented the best Bransgore entry and Sabrina and Kevin Duchemin were the outstanding winners for the French group. The ladies were all presented with Lily of the Valley, a traditional French gift on May Day which is said to bring good luck. Four French families are hoping to join this summer. |
|
Site Designed and Developed by Richard Evans © Copyright 2004 - 2006 - Bransgore Twinning Association |
