Didcot–Meylan Twinning Association

Newsletter no.8, October 2002

Editorial

This is the first Newsletter from the new Committee elected in June. The Committee is arranging a series of events over the coming year to raise awareness of the Twinning Association, increase membership and raise funds. The other major activity the Committee will be doing this year is to organise a trip to Meylan in the Spring. The Committee is still looking for additional officers to help with running the Twinning Association.

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In this issue you will find details of :
A Wine and Cheese Evening and
Dates for our Visit to Meylan next March

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Annual General Meeting 2002

The AGM was held on 13 June 2002 at the Civic Hall. Disappointingly on 13 people attended the meeting.

In his report the chairman, Cheng Lee, said that he was pleased that the visit by Meylan had finally taken place in April after having to be cancelled twice in 2001. The cancellations had meant that we had lost the EC grant that had been so hard won and this meant the visit in April 2002 had had a greater impact on the Twinning Associations resources than expected. Also because of the need to cancel bookings in 2001 we had lost a number of deposits. He reported that there had been two resignations from the committee during the year, Jane Chinnock and Tony Baker. While Geoff Oldham had taken over as Secretary from Jane a new treasurer is still being sought. Finally Cheng thanked all the Committee members for their hard work over the past year.

Cheng had decided to stand down as Chairman after two years in this role and at the Election of Officers, Sue Totterdell was elected as Chairman and Geoff Oldham as Secretary. Anne Goff and Susie Northfield were elected as ordinary member of the committee. There were no nominations for Treasurer & Membership Secretary or for Sponsorship Secretary and these positions remain vacant.

There was a unanimous vote of thanks for Cheng Lee for his Chairmanship and hard work over the past two years.


Committee of the Didcot-Meylan Twinning Association from 14 June 2002

Chair: Dr Sue Totterdell
Secretary: Dr Geoff Oldham
Treasurer and
Membership Secretary: Vacant
Sponsorship Secretary: Vacant
Ordinary Member Mrs Anne Goff
Ordinary Member Mrs Susie Northfield


Visit to Meylan in 2003

The Committee has been in discussion with the Meylan Twinning Committee to find suitable dates for a party from Didcot to go to Meylan in the first half of next year. March or June had been suggested as the best months from our point of view because local elections in May would mean no Councillors will be able to attend in April or the first half of May.

We have now agreed that the dates of the visit will be around the weekend of the 22 and 23 March. If you would like to join the visiting party please let one of the Committee know as possible. All of those going will need to pay their own travel expenses but hosts will be found to provide accommodation once in Meylan. The Committee will organise transport on behalf of the party. Preliminary investigations suggest that whether we go by train or air the costs will be about £120 per person. It may be possible for the Meylan Twinning Committee to apply for a grant to help defray some of the travel costs but this cannot be guaranteed.


Twinning Association Events 2002/2003

The Committee is planning a number of events in late 2002 and early 2003 for current and potential future members of the Twinning Association. The first of these is a:

Wine and Cheese Evening to be held on Thursday, 21 November 2002, in the Civic Hall from 7:30 – 9:30 pm. The evening will be the opportunity to try 6 different French wines (3 white and 3 red) along with a selection of tasty French cheeses. Tickets are only £4 per person - available from Geoff Oldham (816602) [or, between 12-17 November, Sue Totterdell (850080)]. Numbers are limited so hurry and get your tickets now!

Other Events

In February there will be skittles evening and in May we will hold a plant sale. The latter will help to raise some funds for the Twinning Association to help provide for running costs. So if you have any spare plants that you cannot use they will be very welcome. Please let any member of the Committee know nearer the time.

We will keep you informed of dates and venues as these are firmed up.


Membership

The Committee intends to work hard this year in building up the membership of the Twinning Association. We are looking not only for individual and family members but also for associations and organisations to join.

So if you are not a member already why not join and show your commitment to twinning. The fee for an individual or family is a modest £5 p.a. and guarantees you receive notice of Twinning Association events and preference on twinning visits.

If you are a member please bring the Association to the attention of friends, neighbours, colleagues and organisations that would be interested in joining.


Committee Members Needed!!!!!

As you can see from the note of the AGM we have 2 vacancies for officers on the Twinning Committee. If you feel that you would like to take an active part in the twinning activities and can spare a little of your spare time why not join the Committee in some capacity. We normally meet once a month (more frequently when a visit is about to take place) at the houses of Committee Members. If you are interested please contact Geoff Oldham (816602).


Website

Do not forget further information on the Didcot-Meylan twinning Association can be found on our web-site: www.didcottwinning.org.uk

Meylan Associations

So far most exchanges between Didcot and Meylan have taken place between Councillors, schools and general citizens. The Twinning Committees of Didcot and Meylan would like to start to encourage more exchanges between the organisations and associations of our two towns that have common interests.

Meylan has a wide range of cultural and sporting associations, all of which would like to hear from their ‘twins’ in Didcot. Some of these associations are: Athletics, Hunting, Cycling, Archery, Fencing, Dance (of all sorts), Fishing, Gymnastics, Acrobatics, Aïkido, Judo, Karate, Kendo, Taekwondo, Boules, Pétanque, the Fire Brigade, Music (choirs, orchestras, etc), Painting, Sculpture, Photography, Drama, Boxing, Ex-Servicemens Association, Climbing, Volleyball, Badminton, Rowing, Basketball, Yoga, Skiing, Carpentry/Woodworking, Bridge, Football, Astronomy, Kick-Boxing, Handball, Kung-fu, Swimming, Diving, Palet Bavardois (a sort of curling on asphalt), Horse riding, Swimming, Scouts, Model Aeroplanes, Sailing, Tennis, Table tennis, Tai Chi Chuan.

Many of the associations listed above cater for all ages and handicapped as well as able-bodied participants.

Meylan holds an annual ‘Forum of Associations’ where the towns associations display and demonstrate what they are about. Didcot is invited to send representatives to this event and we hope to do this in 2003.

If you would like to get in touch with your twin association in Meylan to discuss possible exchanges please contact Geoff Oldham (01235 816602). Further information on Meylan Associations can be found on the Meylan website: www.mairie-meylan.fr