Annual Report for 2009-2010

Bonsoir and thank you all for coming to the 2010 Annual General Meeting of Bransgore Twinning Association

I am delighted to tell you yet again that The Association has grown throughout the year. We now have 46 adult members twinned with St Georges Montcocq.  We have welcomed new members since our guests last came to Bransgore. Maria Obermann joined us at a barbecue and then enjoyed her first visit to France in 2009. Julie Mottisfonr contacted us days before the visit to France and was invited to stay with Maria chez Mme le Franc   Shirley and Roger Monck also met their host for the first time when we visited St Georges Montcocq last year. Just before we travelled to France I was telephoned by Pete and Suzy Harris who, together with 12 year old David, have just been found a family in Normandy.  We have currently 9 junior members under sixteen years of age and two students. Our latest member of the Association, William Hulbert, arrived in February and we congratulate Alison and Stuart and all the Perkins family. This gives us an overall total of 55 members.  

I know that there is a family in St Georges  Montcocq looking for a Bransgore family with which to twin and would like to ask you all to continue the excellent way in which you promote Bransgore Twinning Association in the village. On a sadder note I have to let you know that one of our Founder members, Isobel Rees, died at the end of February and another founder, Roger Gibbons, died last year. The Association in St Georges Montcocq sent us news of the death of M.Lepresle whose family were twinned with Daphne and Jim Crisp and also of the death of Roger, companion to Mme le Franc who had visited Gordon Hadden so very many times. I am pleased that Mme Le Franc continues to be an active member of her Association. I have been told that sadly Mme LePresle will no longer continue to twin.

Another very active year began with our visit to St Georges Montcocq in May.  Once again we travelled as a group, leaving in glorious dawn weather for Portsmouth and with our driver staying with the Mauduit family.  Ill health prevented two members from travelling; a family wedding meant that two other members remained in the UK and the honour of a playing a sports fixture at National level kept a father and son at home.

It is quite remarkable that the Association is represented so strongly on our visits to France. The journey was relaxed, on a very quiet boat with an empty lounge set up as base camp. This year our hosts entertained us to line dancing. A group demonstrated the steps and various dances were enjoyed in between courses. The meal took all evening and we all went to bed very late.

Our Sunday visit was so enjoyable and very informative. We were introduced to wonderful sights in the St Georges locality; travelling with our hosts in their cars. The day began at the Mairie where we were taken into the building to see various items of our joint history and especially the beautiful quilt made by Jean Harrison and which had been presented to mark the friendship between our villages. The rich history of the marais was fascinating. We visited the attractive and most interesting display of a barge which has been dredged from the waterways. 

Later in the morning we learned of the horrors of life as a peasant under the rule of Simon de Montfort and visited his ruined chateau. We have the photographic evidence of some of the less athletic of us trying to stilt walk in the chateau grounds.  The skills of some of the younger members were impressive. Our giggles turned to gasps of astonishment when we were led inside to an amazing display of artistry. To see a full scale model of a motor bike and then wander from display to display of unbelievable skill was astonishing. The day simply got better and better, despite poor weather in Normandy. A pic nic lunch was followed for many by a ride on a model steam train, run by an ex pat from Gravesend. It was amusing to chat with British visitors in the park and discover that the father of one lives in West Road, Bransgore. Members of both committees met in a gazebo to plan our next events.

The afternoon ended with yet more delights when we were taken to see a tableau dating back to the 1930s. Display after display set out life in a town nearly eighty years ago, it was charming and so beautifully created.

The day ended with our hosts, at their homes, beside the sea or in restaurants. Our departure day was sunny and we spent it with our hosts, visiting friends and families, local sights, restaurants and shops. The return journey was speedy on the vitesse with no delays due to poor weather this time.

Our 2009 AGM was followed by a meal themed on Normandy recipes. Sixty guests enjoyed a most entertaining, enjoyable and informative talk from “Les deux Cyclistes”  We travelled, in our imaginations, with them through France. They not only showed photographs of their many journeys; but also demonstrated the limited kit with which they travelled. Once again a number of members of the Ringwood Cercle joined us for the evening together with Bransgore Twinners and friends.

The traditional summer barbecue was a sell out yet again. It is always a popular Sunday lunch date. Our thanks must go to our well trained chefs, Jim Crisp and Spike Laugher.  Several members of the Association prepared salads and side dishes and beautiful summer desserts.  Garden games and petanque were played under the organisation of Jim Crisp.

During the summer we supported the revival of Ringwood Town Twinning Association.  Formal meetings in the Town Hall led to Pont-Audemer and Ringwood being linked once again and we wish them every success.

     Our autumn programme began with a new venture.  Following the excellent suggestion by Jackie Cole, we held an American supper in September, solely for members. The “in house* entertainment was presented by several members who took part in six short plays. Gordon Hadden had suggested purchasing the plays and these were introduced by the younger members of the England family. The teenagers served the supper and coffees and the whole evening was a delightful way to meet informally. Later in the autumn a Skittles supper was organised autumn and took place in the new venue of Thorney hill Community Centre.  My thanks to all members of the committee who worked so quickly and efficiently to prepare the room.   Some twinning families brought their grandchildren with them and these young people played a very important role setting up the pins, serving the meal and tidying the hall.  I think this team work is such a strong feature of Bransgore’s Twinning Association.  An excellent fish and chips supper was cooked for us in the village and this was enjoyed by thirty seven people.

Christmas quizzes, festive fare and French and English carols were shared during an atmospheric evening in December and several members took part in various General Knowledge quizzes in the district throughout the season. We had planned to host the New Forest Twinning Associations’ Annual skittles match in the village; but this had to be re-located. Our team played hard, but had to send the trophy elsewhere this time.

I would like to thank Michael Safe for auditing the Association’s books again this year and to Barbara Evans for her thorough preparation of the accounts.   Committee members host our meetings and I would like to thank them for their invitations to their homes. I would particularly like to thank my colleagues on the Committee for their enthusiasm, sheer hard work and especially for all the support they give me. My thanks go in particular to Spike Laugher, our Honorary Secretary, for maintaining our records. My appreciation goes to Richard Evans our web master for his continuing role as Association photographer and to Helen Bennett who undertook this role when we were in France in May.

I would like to thank the Bransgore Scout Group once again for their continuing generosity to us in providing their facilities for so many of our events. I would also like to record my thanks to Thorney Hill Community Centre which has proved to be such a lovely setting for large gatherings.

Jeffrey Green, our Life President had advised and supported me throughout the year and I would like you to join me in sending our very best wishes to him.

Merci

Judith Allebon    February 2010

May Bank Holiday Weekend in Normandy 2009

Thirty seven members of Bransgore Twinning Association travelled to St Georges Montcocq in Normandy, for a weekend of delights and surprises. We left Bransgore as the sun came up on a glorious morning and drove through the New Forest to Portsmouth for an early crossing to France. Eight young people and students joined the group; two very excited little boys were about to see France for the first time. Four new members were keen to meet their hosts and the rest of the party were looking forward to seeing long-standing friends. The coach journey proved to be ideal once again and we were able to use a salon aboard Le Bretagne where we dozed or played cards, read or studied. The teenagers impressed us as they revised for their exams while the rest of us relaxed.

The weekend was jam-packed with activities. After a brief visit to our hosts' homes everyone met for an evening of great fun. The evening meal took hours to eat. Punch was served and enjoyed during the formalities when the Mayor of St Georges Montcocq welcomed the British guests. Judith Allebon, Chair , responded in French and presented the Normandy village with a copy of the recently published book, 'Bransgore's Sacrifice 1914-1980', compiled by J. Cockram, N. Saunders and R. Williams. Barbara Houston translated the very rapid speech given by Jean-Yves Laurence (Maire). A lively demonstration of line dancing was given by a local club throughout the evening and most of the guests joined in between courses. We danced so much that coffee was not served until 11-15 and we all slept well that night.

Sunday was spent exploring the amazing local area. An entertaining history lesson took place near the marshlands where a boat had been dredged up recently. This iconic feature of times past is now housed in an open barn which was created as a tourist centre. The next stop on the tour was a visit to the ruined Chateau of Simon de Montfort. As there are no written records of the chateau, the state cannot support the restoration project. A local group of volunteers have purchased the leasehold for 99 years and are slowly restoring the site. The group were told how the feudal lord of the manor dominated the peasant community. The serious mood turned to laughter when several of the twinners tried to walk on stilts for the first time. Hilarity changed into amazement as we were taken to an exhibition of one artist's passion for wood. After his motorbike fell apart he painstakingly copied every part, large and small and re-created them in wood. This led to producing a full sized tractor, a table smothered in a sea food feast, an artists' studio complete with a nude and a world famous clock which appears in "The Guinness Book of Records".

A picnic lunch and rides on a model steam train owned by an ex pat from Gravesend led the travellers to wonder "whatever next?". The immediate answer was to be introduced to a tourist whose father lives in Bransgore! We were then taken back in time as we all gazed at miniature, animated scenes of life in the 1930s. Life in the chateau contrasted with the day the circus came to town. The pompiers tackled a very realistic fire and the carpenter's shop was full of treasured tools. We had requested a local tour, little knowing what surprises lay ahead. a joint committee meeting was held alongside the railway line and a date was set for 2010.

Dinner with the host families at their homes or in restaurants and a morning in their company were a fitting way to end yet another memorable visit to St Georges Montcocq. Some of us visited St Lo, some various cemeteries, local beauty spots and all of us enjoyed wonderful lunches. The hugs and tears and promises to see one another soon were so memorable as we boarded the coach for the short journey to Cherbourg. each of us has a particular highlight of the visit. Our youngest travellers will never forget the moment when the National Police boarded the coach to check each passport. We could not have planned a more dramatic end to the journey.

The week end was beautifully organized, right down to pleasant, but cool weather with only a little rain. The sea was calm and all went without a hitch. The small number of Twinners who were unable to travel were greatly missed and their French friends sent their very best wishes to them all.

Look at the pictures of the trip click here

Spring 2008 Newsletter

The final event of 2007 was enjoyed by members through the kind invitation of Judith & Malcolm Allebon, to attend a Christmas Soiree held at Ty Gwyn on December 18th 2007. Everyone was delighted to be warmly welcomed with a glass of delicious mulled wine and a spread of seasonal goodies and gifts prepared by our hosts and other members.

Bransgore Twinning Association members have fully enjoyed their winter programme and have been looking forward once again to the visit of our French friends. So without further ado I would like to remind all readers of this Newsletter of events that have recently taken place and to remind you of the arrangements that your committee have made for the future events that are due to occur over the next few months.

The Annual General Meeting of the Association was held on Saturday 1st March 2008 in the Scout Headquarters at Burnt House Lane.

Whilst the A.G.M. must necessarily conduct business that is essential for the successful continuity of the Association a well attended members meeting was saddened to be informed by our lifetime President Jeff Green that both he and his wife Peggy had decided to withdraw from future active committee involvement. Members were however delighted to hear that Jeff would continue to represent the Association as occasioned by his office and both he and Peggy intended to continue to take part in and contribute to the future successes of the Association such as their future personal circumstances would allow. Chair, Judith Allebon expressed on behalf of all members a sincere appreciation of the dedication and continuous service to the Association that Jeff and Peggy had both provided over a period of many years and amid unanimous applause presented them both with floral tributes. Judith was also delighted to be able to welcome Sarah Davies and John Prince as members of the Association’s Committee and expressed the thanks of everyone for their offer of future involvement in the affairs of the Twinning Association.

At the conclusion of formal matters at 20.00hrs, members and their guests were entertained by an illustrative presentation by our guest speaker Doug Carruthers who, while guiding us through the delights of French culinary art, with the voluble assistance of his audience encouraged the selection of a meal “au choix de Francophile”

This was followed by a home prepared “Coq au vin" meal and typical French desserts which were thoroughly enjoyed by all .To conclude a very pleasant evening a raffle raised the magnificent sum of £110 which was presented to Doug Carruthers to be donated at his request to the Macmillan Cancer Fund

We next heartily welcomed the return to Bransgore of our French friends from St Georges Montcocq during the weekend of May 10th to the12th. They arrived at the village car park at approximately 15.15hrs, in brilliant sunshine on Saturday afternoon. Following a short rest at the home of their hosts we all met at Thorney Hill Community Centre at 18.45 hrs to enjoy a hearty meal and afterwards were thoroughly entertained by an energetic demonstration by the “The River Bourne Morris men” who then had absolutely no problem to encourage both members and our guests to enthusiastically join in.

There is no doubt that everyone thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum at Singleton on Sunday. We departed from the village car park at 09.00hrs in two coaches. Picnics were prepared for our guests which was consumed during a restful and tranquil period set aside for a well earned rest and recuperation! We arrive back in Bransgore in time to be able to continue to enjoy the company of our French friends “en famille” for the remainder of the day.

A visit to All Saints Church, Thorney Hill under the expert guidance of Janet Burn was available to commence at 10.30hrs on Monday 12th. Our guests departed to return home to France from the village car park at 13.00hrs.

We again extend our grateful thanks to our resident photographer Richard Evans who has generously applied his photographic skills to record the occasion. Everyone is encouraged to both view and enjoy a full visual record of all our latest activities as well as catching up on the latest news of both past and future events on our excellent web site at www.bransgoretwinning.org.uk

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