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

And the answer is "Court"

It seems hopscotch is played on a court (see previous posting).

For those who are interested, which assuredly is everybody. Hopscotch dates from the time of Rome and in Britain it was (according to Wikipedia) initially used as a training regimen for Roman infantry who ran the course in full armour and field packs, as it was thought this would improve their footwork. In other words is was not a kid's game
And for those interested in the French connection, which again is assuredly everybody. In Thury they call hopscotch "marcelle" (fem)

A French variant of hopscotch is known as Escargot (snail) or "La Marelle Ronde" (round hopscotch). It is played on a spiral course. Players must hop on one foot to the center of the spiral and back out again. A player marks one square with his or her initials, and from then on may place two feet in that square, while all other players must hop over it. The game ends when all squares are marked or no one can reach the center, and the winner is the player who "owns" the most squares

OK next question - what do the French call a hopscotch "court"

Update to Thury's Twinning Website

It has only just been noticed at the website of the Thury-Harcourt Twinning association has been updated (you can find the link on the right under external links). A selection of photos from their archives have been added (found under the heading Diaporama) including the one above showing the inauguration of the EU hopscotch box*** in Thury in 2002. The EU bit comes from squares being designated by countries rather than numbers. (The young man appears to be straddling Austria)

** Does anyone know the correct term for a hopscotch grid/box/set/pitch/ground?

"Holy Relics"

Between the start of the exchange in 1982 and the 25th anniversary in 2007, both Seaton and our Association have received a number of gifts and other commemorative items from our friends in Thury. Some of these now lie in odd corners half-forgotten except by their guardians. For this reason some attempt has been made to catalogue everything. So far, the list is confined to items in the town hall, Seaton museum and Cliff Field Gardens, namely:

Football trophy, enamelled glass plate, and pottery vase in the museum

Twinning charter and framed picture of Thury-Harcourt in the town hall (upstairs landing), and

Park bench with brass plate in Cliff Field Gardens adjacent to the boules pitch

Photos of all these items have been added to this site and can be found by following the link which has been added to the list on the right under the title "Catalogue of commemorative items".

If anyone is aware of any other item not listed, could they let the committee know please. Equally if anyone from our 2007 visit has a commemorative coaster presented at they are willing to donate for display in the museum, could they do likewise.