Newsletter November 2011 - French Lessons etc

Greetings everyone

Just a quick update to let you all know what is going on and hopefully you will come back to me with your opinions etc.

Firstly and most importantly the date for the visit to Thury next year has been set for Friday 8th June until Monday 11th June. It would be nice to get as many across as possible.

We will be running a tombola stall in the Town Hall on Sunday the 27th November.

Mavis and Tess have control of this one and are running a bottle stall. We would be grateful for any contributions which can either be taken to the Hall by 09:30 on the day, or to Janet at Panic Design in Marine Place. If you feel like assisting as well please give Mavis a ring as I’m sure she will be glad of your help.

The Grizzly next year will be on the 11th of March. As this is such a good earner for us the Committee has decided that this time will we be marshalling two points so we would like up to 12 volunteers please. Names to me at this stage please.

Various locations are being sounded out re our Christmas dinner, watch this space for a date in January, space will be tight so I’m afraid it will be first come, first served.

Doug and Shiona Rudge came up the idea of running French lessons. The Committee have taken this on board and think that it would work best if the more expert speakers

Doug and Shiona Rudge came up the idea of running French lessons. The Committee have taken this on board and think that it would work best if the more expert speakers among the members are willing to oversee the rest of the not so fluent. We think that we might meet once a month in a pub at 7:30 p.m. and speak French on a pre-determined topic for an hour. For a small charge the pub is willing to do some refreshments. Expressions of interest either as a tutor or student to me please.

Finally, the date for the AGM is set as Friday 24th February. I understand that The Chair and Treasurer are willing to stand again as are most of the Committee. If, however you would like to volunteer your services names to me please ASAP. If thereare more nominations than places we will have to have an election!

Glyn

Twinning Visit 2011

Congratulations to everybody who helped make this year's visit from our friends in Thury-Harcourt such a success, and that includes whoever looks after the weather. The day at the Gold Hill Festival at Shaftesbury was splendid with something for everyone, especially Morris fanatics (that's everybody I believe). The meal at the Barley Mow at Chard where our MP Neil Parrish was guest of honour was equally splendid and enjoyable. Most people seemed to like the new timing of the visit in early July instead of late August, and the morning rather than evening arrival, but please let the committee know what you think. The French committee are seeking comments.A new photo album has been started, started being the operative word, since unless other people contribute it can only be the same old (sorry make that young) faces. The link is on the right.


Please let Graham Jones have copies of your photos if you want to share them on the website.

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.

Germany?

Jeff Day, our illustrious chairman was in the last edition of one of our weekly papers; the "View from Seaton". In fact he made the front page by floating the possibility of a twinning arrangement with Germany. Over the last few years, both Weil-der-Stadt and Heimbuchental have sought links with us. The problem as always been the lack of resources at our end but as Jeff suggested in his article, all that is needed is someone to take the project on. It is a big task, but other towns manage two exchanges, and Seaton has a wealth of talent and dedication to call on, so their is no reason why we cannot do it. Anyone who is interested should contact our Secretary; Glyn Roberts.

Jeff Day becomes Thury's Citizen of the Year

There is a lot of news and photos to to be added to the site over the next few weeks stemming from our twinning trip to Thury-Harcourt. Expect the normal appeals for anecdotes, stories and photos, as well as several new links. Before this, however, there is a need to highlight an exceptional achievement. Jeff Day, our chairman, has received a remarkable double honour by becoming the citizen of the year in both Seaton and Thury-Harcourt in the same week. Thury's Mayor Paul Chandelier (seen with Jeff above) presented Jeff with the award last Saturday at a reception held for the Seaton twinners. He congratulated our Association on having an excellent website and explained that through it, his Council had discovered the award bestowed on Jeff by the town of Seaton and decided that they too wanted to recognize his great work for international friendship and understanding. Consequently they had made him Thury's Citizen of the year, and had had a special medal produced. A reporter from the newspaper, Ouest-France was at hand and the next edition duly carried the headline

Jeff Day, décoré, devient citoyen de l'année

which can be loosely translated as Jeff Day, honoured for his service becomes citizen of the year.
The link to the online article in Ouest-France is on the list of external links on the right together with a second article on the twinning visit

The sentiment expressed in the article by Thury's mayor very roughly translates (and this is not a accurate word for word translation by any means) as -

It is friendship, not politicians that makes a better world . In twinning we are building a Europe with our fellow English and Germans. It is what Jeff has been doing for twenty-seven years and this deserves a medal!

A photos of close-ups of both the French medal and the English lapel badge have been added to
the photo gallery of commemorative items

Part of the presentation is shown in the video below

The inscription says Jeff Day 27 years service of Twinning Seaton-Thury Harcourt 22 May 2010

Our Chairman Jeff Day is Seaton's Citizen of the Year

Two of our committee were honoured at the Seaton Town Council AGM on May 10th. Our chairman Jeff Day was elected as Seaton's Citizen of the Year 2010 in recognition of his sterling work on behalf of the twinning exchange with Thury-Harcourt for the past 27 years, of which 17 has been as chairman. The citation, after reviewing the benefits of the twinning arrangement went on to say - "None of this (the benefits of twinning) would have been possible without the dedication and sheer hard work Jeff has done. In Thury-Harcourt, as in many other European Countries, their twinning association gets financial and administrative help from the local council. In Britain, everything depends on individuals. In Devon, many twinning associations are in decline or are moribund. The reason that Seaton is not in this group is simply because of Jeff, and his very special qualities that include infinite patience, consummate diplomacy, total dedication, deprecating modesty and a wry sense of humour. Each time the Association has faltered, Jeff has come to the rescue. It is not too much of an exaggeration to say that today Seaton may be without its twinning dimension, if not for Jeff. Seaton values its relationship with Thury-Harcourt, and it is appropriate that Seaton acknowledges the service that Jeff has performed. Jeff hopes to stands down next year after 17 years of service as chairman and so next week when he and the twinners of Seaton visit Thury on his last trip as president, he goes with the citizen of the year award in recognition of the service Jeff has done, not only here but also for our French twin town. It is an award greatly deserved.

Congratulations also to our secretary Glyn Roberts who was praised at the meeting by County Councillor Jim Knight for his service as a Special Police Constable. Glyn and other Association members shown below were at the presentation to congratulate Jeff