The Coffee Morning proves a great success.

The Coffee Morning proved to be a great success raising over £97 for our funds. More importantly perhaps it proved to be a splendid opportunity for members and indeed non-members to meet and chat. Whereas previously the coffee mornings have proved to involve mainly members, on this one we managed to attract more members of the public (including Seaton's mayor). Perhaps this was through better publicity, but more probably through a truly sumptuous display of cakes. Several people have suggested we do more similar events. A special thanks to everyone who helped whether through baking or serving or simply turning out in support. 

Marshalling the Grizzly Run 10th March - Help Needed

The Twinning Association has contributed a team of six marshals for the Grizzly over the last few years, and since the organizers pay us, our involvement has provided a dependable and much needed source of funding for the Association. This year a number of regulars have had to drop out and we desperately need to find at least 3 replacements. Can anyone offer their services. It means standing for 150 minutes or so (with breaks) by the side of the route directing runners. If you can help please contact our chairman Clare Jones or speak to any committee member as soon as possible. This may be the last Grizzly, so it may also be your last opportunity to play a part in what has become one of the foremost running events in the country. You will also  get your free T shirt to prove it..

Christmas Dinner 19 January 2013

Thirty members attended the Association's Christmas Dinner at the King's Arms in Seaton on a Saturday 19 January. It was an opportunity to socialize, plan and generally get together. As usual we had a well supported raffle which produced a welcome contribution to our funds. (photo) Thanks for everyone who worked to make it such a memorable evening.

Marshalling the Grizzly 2011

For the last few years, the association has contributed marshals for the Seaton's world (in)famous Grizzly Run. As well as doing it's bit for the community in this way, it also makes a considerable contribution to our funds - the classic win-win situation.

This year was no exception with association stalwarts maintaining the tradition of sartorial elegance

Some more photos can be found in the web photo album for miscellaneous twinning activities. Follow the photo gallery link on the right.

Skittles

Around 30 members had a social skittle evening at PJ's (once the Social Club, and before that the Fisherman's) on 19 November. A good time was had by all, although I doubt if the Association will ever cause a stir in the skittle world. Our secretary Glynn was the sticker-upper and if scores were low, it was nobly done to save him bending too often. The buffet was excellent, good value and very welcome after some experiences elsewhere in Seaton. The Committee are to be congratulated arranging this.

The Grizzly and Tripping the Light Fantastic

First the Grizzly Run. Today, Sunday 7 March two thousand and one intrepid runners slogged their way round the 20 mile cross country course from Seaton in the internationally renowned race. Congratulations to all of them, however, this posting is to thank the six intrepid members of the Twinning Association who did their bit by marshalling. Last year, the Association was given £350 by the race organizers for our funds in recognition of our efforts then. Hopefully this year, the Association will be in line for a similar bounty thanks to the the work of our members, particularly Gerry Dawson who had the task of marshalling the marshals. - So thanks everybody

And the Light Fantastic?

Check out the 20 new photos added to the album of the French visit in 2009. There was some pretty fancy footwork on show when the rock and roll music started.

Garden Party - 26 June

The second posting is about the garden party on 26 June. More than 20 members were there for a memorable evening, and the Association is indebted to the Bradshaw family who not only opened their beautiful garden, (surely one of Seaton's hidden gems) but also did all the hard work providing a splendid meal together with a number of tempting raffle prizes including one of Bob's prints.

Photos of the event have been added to the on-line album of social events at

http://picasaweb.google.com/Seatontwinning/SocialEvents

or via the blogs album links

2 New Postings Today - This one forthcoming events

Two postings today

The first gives advance notice of two events, both on Friday July 10th

In the morning between 10 - 12 a.m there is a coffee morning in the upstairs in the Town Hall at Seaton organised by Chris, Tina and Avis who are looking forward to meeting everyone for delicious homemade cake and coffee.

In the evening, weather permitting there will be a Boules evening at 7 p.m. at Cliff Field Gardens. Come along and enjoy an informal boules session, watching or trying out this dece[tively pitching a few ends

2008 Photo Competition Result

Those of you at the AGM will know that Peter Motson emerged as the winner of the 2008 photo competition, winning a bottle of wine (French of course). Many asked for the winning photo to be published on the blog so here it is

Val and Jeff listening out for the death watch beetle on the ferry. Peter also submitted some others, and these have been loaded onto the Association's Picasa web album
http://picasaweb.google.com/Seatontwinning/PeterMotsonsPhotosThury2008#

The link has also been added to the photo links to the right

The Association's Contribution to Public Art

The photo below, shows the Association's contribution to the "Windows on Seaton" public art project sponsored by the Town Council (see previous postings for details). It was a great effort, and thanks to everyone concerned.

Windows on Thury-Harcourt

Twinning members and artists Carolyn King and Philip Clayton may be in France at the moment enjoying the good life, but they have responded to a previous plea (see blog entry 11 October) for help with a design for the "Window on Seaton" community art project. In this, individuals and groups in Seaton are decorating the hoarding around the old Racal site by painting views from windows and doors, each one showing some aspect of Seaton. Our Association, to be different are doing a view of France, and Carolyn emailed the above working drawing. The splendid somewhat bucolic scene shows an aspect of the wine harvest. Watch this blog to follow developments.

Community Activity Fair 18 October 2008

The Association was one of forty groups represented at the Community Activity Fair at Seaton Town Hall. The display boards were revamped for the occasion with an emphasis on our last visit to France and our range of activities. We generated a lot of interest, and a number of people expressed interest in joining the Association. Thanks to those who gave up their time to look after the stand and answer queries from the public

Two Events - Community Fair and Windows on Seaton

Advance notice and a plea for help

On Saturday 18 October there is a Community Activity Fair sponsored by the Town Council in Seaton Town Hall between 10 and 3 where about 40 community groups active in Seaton will be there to tell the world what they do. We were there at the 2007 fair (photo) which was was highly successful, and will be at this one as well, publicizing our events, our website and hopefully getting more people interested in joining us. To add a little interest there will be a quiz similar to the one at our last AGM for the public to do with a prize of the fizzy plonk left over from the boules events.

We need help in manning the stand. If anyone can spare an hour or so, it would very welcome. Even if you cannot help, still come to the fair. It is free, highly worthwhile, and you are bound to find something of interest. You can watch the majorettes, have a game of chess if you want, or who knows, even win some fizzy plonk

The second event starts on the weekend of the 25 October when the Town Council is organizing a community art project when a series of "views from windows" are being painted by individuals and local groups on the hoardings around the Racal Site in Harbour Road. We have sponsored a window. The particular theme is "Views of Seaton", however the Twinning Association as gained dispensation to do a view of Thury-Harcourt instead. At the moment, we have no artist lined up, and will have to use the "resident" artist so if anybody out there fancies themselves as an artist and wants to have a go, let us know,

If you can help at either event, please contact Avis, Margaret or Clare or email the Association as soon as possible

Carnival Week 2008 - Showing the Flag

The Association manned (and womanned) a tombola stall at the August bank holiday street fair in Seaton as part of our all so important fund raising effort. Next year, perhaps as many as 50 French guests may appear, and we need to provide hospitality for them, and this includes all entry fees, transport, snacks and a formal dinner on our big day out. Fund raising is therefore not an important issue, it is a vital issue. Thanks then to all who helped on Monday, and thanks to all who provided prizes. After expenses, we made just over £50 (that is not finalised) which all helps but there is still a lot to do. Nevertheless as the French proverb goes "Petit à petit l'oiseau fait son nid" ***

It is not all fund raising of course, we were also there to show the flag, literally so, as the photos show.

*** Little by little, the bird builds its nest

Walk 17 September

Gerry has arranged another walk. This one is on Wednesday 17 September. Meet 6.30 pm Musbury Church for choice of walks to and around Musbury Castle. This will be followed by a get together at the Harbour Inn at Axmouth around 8.15. As at the earlier walk this year on the Undercliff, local historian, Derek Stevens will be on hand to liven up the walk with his historical anecdotes and local knowledge

Seaton Carnival Week - Street Market and Boules

The Association will be involved with two carnival events
Saturday 23 August 12-2 pm Cliff Field Gardens
The Association has accepted a request from Seaton Carnival Committee to host a boules event at Cliff Field Gardens as part of the Carnival Week. It will be a sort of taster event and, - try a few ends, "how do you play", etc. and will form part of a series of events during the day along with other things such as a fancy dress competition and pebble, face and pavement painting. Accordingly there may well be a number of children having a go. We are pleased to have the opportunity to be able to contribute towards the success of this years carnival campaign.
Anybody who wants to come along and help out will be most welcome. We will be there with publicity, and will hopefully raise our profile some more.

Monday 25 August 8-12 (approx) Street Market on the Esplanade. We are running a tombola stall to raise funds using the items bought and donated by members as part of our twinning visit to Thury in May. We aim to set up at 8am ready to open at 9. Help is always welcome so please contact Rose Tidball or Clare Jones if you can help in manning the stand or have any more prizes (not just French ones) you can donate.

Social Events

First a reminder that the next social event is boules at the town's boules pitch at Cliff Field Gardens at 9:45 on Tuesday 15 July, weather permitting. There will be the usual supply of bucks fizz to refresh oneself.

Secondly, a few ideas for social events based on french food have been put forward, and the committee is keen to hear from everybody, so if anybody has suggestions or wants to arrange a snail tasting or anything else, please leave a comment

Social evening at the King's Arms 2 July or think of a title for this picture

17 people turned up at the social evening at the Kings Arms, including a new prospective member, and the usual suspects. It was good good to see some of a newer members and representatives from far flung corners. Our title is after all Seaton and District, and we are accordingly proud that we have many supportive members from outside the metropolis of Seaton town.
Peter Motson exhibited the attached photo, which is just asking for a caption. Any ideas?

Highly Enjoyable Walk 25 June

Gerry laid on a added treat to the walk along part of the landslip during the first walk of the season. Twinning Association member and local historian Derek Stevens was there to regale the group with sparkling stories and anecdotes of the war years and other times, all delivered in broad dialect.
Many people will know Derek from his regular "The view from the country" column in the Marshwood Vale magazine, and the stories certainly added piquancy to the walk. It was not that difficult after his vivid descriptions to imagine marauding Focke-Wulfs skimming over cornfields or the deafening roar of massed Lancasters passing overhead at 50ft. Afterwards the party was joined by Gail and enjoyed a pleasant drink at the Harbour Inn at Axmouth.

No date is fixed for the next walk, but watch this space

photos Derek describes the Lancaster raid, and then on the landslip