Meylan visits Didcot

Meylan visits to Didcot took place in

1999: The very first large scale meeting between the people of Didcot and Meylan took place in Didcot in 1999. The programme included opportunities to visit various facilities around the town such as the Ambulance and Fire Stations and the local library as well as a series of workshops on issues of mutual interest. The important event was the signing by the mayors of the two towns of the twinning charter. The friendship between the communities was cemented by an evening of folk dancing at the Power station social club.

2001: Sadly the meeting planned for 2001 was cancelled due to fears about safety for flying.

2002: In May a group of 25 people from Meylan were taken to visit Windsor Castle on the way from Heathrow to Didcot. The following day was spent in Oxford where visitors could take a guided tour around some of the colleges, visit the Oxford Story or ride on the Open Topped bus. In the afternoon, there was a chance to do some shopping. On the Sunday morning the mayors of Didcot and Meylan joined forces to plant a tree in Didcot’s Millennium Wood.

2004: In 2004 we welcomed 19 people to Didcot. After an early flight they were met from Heathrow airport and taken into the centre of London where they took an open top bus tour around the capital, followed by a trip up the river Thames. The following day we met for a picnic at Wittenham clumps, were met by a representative of the Earth Trust and then some of the group walked to Dorchester. In addition to the usual gala dinner, our visitors were entertained to an aperitif in the garden of one of our members.

2006: This year’s visit included a chance to learn more about the Diamond Light Project. In addition to an introductory talk, visitors had the opportunity to see the accelerator. The afternoon was spent at the Vale and Downland Museum where the hands-on display provided some interesting memories and a cup of tea at the end of the visit was very welcome. The highlight of the next day was a visit to the newly-opened Oxford Castle attraction. The gala dinner was held at Brookes on the Park Restaurant at Milton Park where delegates ate a menu based on local produce.

2008: The programme for this visit included a visit to a beekeeper in Britwell cum Sotwell and a guided tour of Mackeney Farm. This was followed by a visit to the Nuneham Courtenay Arboretum.   The second day was spent with host families, covering a range of activities, such as visits to Bath and Winchester, to Didcot Railway Museum, to local National Trust properties and along the Thames. A civic reception was held at Didcot Town Football Club.

2010: In 210 the programme included a breakfast meeting for visiting councillors with business and council representatives from Didcot. Taking the train to Oxford the visitors were then taken around the newly-re-opened Ashmolean Museum before being taken out for a traditional pub lunch. In the afternoon there was a choice of a guided walk, an open-topped bus tour or shopping. The programme also offered a chance to visit Basildon House where we took tea in the Orangery.

2012: The eighteen delegates were shown something of the work that goes on at the Rutherford-Appleton Space Centre before being taken to Abingdon where, after a short guided walk there was time to visit the Museum. The following day was spent with host families with a variety of activities on offer.