Knebworth Twinning Association

KNEBWORTH TWINNING ASSOCIATION

NewsletterEWS June 2017 President: Lord Cobbold

Wow, what a year we have had so far!!! And so many more things to look forward to. KTA continues to be strong, with 40 families having paid their subscription this year. The Committee continues to work hard to provide social events during the year, and to raise money for the visits from Châtelaillon. This is never easy, and we would encourage anyone in KTA to come up with ideas, and even to organise something themselves (as indeed Renata is doing with the Open Gardens).

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND LUNCH:

Once again, we had a very successful lunch at Knebworth Barns, and a presentation of photos taken during the year. The existing members of the Committee all agreed to continue for another year, but there’s no guarantee that they will continue to serve, so new members are always invited.

KNEBWORTH TWINNING ASSOCIATION

Newsletter June 2017 President: Lord Cobbold

VISIT TO KNEBWORTH 2017:

We had 34 people come for the visit from 25-30 May, staying with 17 families. Among the group were some new families, including teenagers. It was unfortunate that we couldn’t find a new family for the 14-year-old boy and his mother, but who enjoyed staying with Ann & Tony. The visit was a huge success. Some comments from our members who took part:

“It was lovely to see such a large group and range of ages all enjoying themselves so much, particularly at the James Bond-themed party. I loved seeing my old friends from Châtelaillon and catching up with their news.” Alison Wormleighton

“The return trip this year has gone very well with the rest of my family getting to know the French family. The girls have been planning things they want to do next year. This won't involve Marmite as it was definitely a "Hate it" from our French visitors!” Ruth Burr

“It's been a great pleasure to not only get to know our visitors who stayed with us better and practise our French but also to meet many new people from Châtelaillon as well. “ Renata Crome

“Although for the first time in 18 years we haven’t hosted it has been a lovely weekend. Saturday evening was very enjoyable,good food,company & great music.The boules match today was fun. Viva Knebworth!” Ann Hunt

Welcome reception at Carole and David Woodman’s home.

KNEBWORTH TWINNING ASSOCIATION

Newsletter. June 2017 President: Lord Cobbold

. Friday – individual visits – many going up to London - teenagers visited schools

KNEBWORTH TWINNING ASSOCIATION

Newsletter June 2017 President: Lord Cobbold

Saturday – group visit to British Schools Museum, lunch at The Three Moorhens, and the evening soiree in Knebworth Village Hall

Joy Hall taking a class at Hitchin British Schools. With Geoff Targett as the dunce!

Francoise, Elisabeth and Ann-Marie misbehaving in class.

KNEBWORTH TWINNING ASSOCIATION

Newsletter June 2017 President: Lord Cobbold

Evening Soiree at the Village Hall – a James Bond theme!

KNEBWORTH TWINNING ASSOCIATION

Newsletter June 2017 President: Lord Cobbold

KNEBWORTH TWINNING ASSOCIATION

Newsletter June 2017 President: Lord Cobbold

Sunday – individual visits, including Knebworth House and gardens

KNEBWORTH TWINNING ASSOCIATION

Newsletter June 2017 President: Lord Cobbold

Boules was played on the Monday afternoon at the Station Pub. We were victorious, taking first, second and third places. The Knebworth Knights taking the trophy!

KNEBWORTH TWINNING ASSOCIATION

Newsletter June 2017 President: Lord Cobbold

OPEN GARDENS:

With thanks to Renata Crome for organising this event for us, we have seen another very successful event for Knebworth, and for the KTA!!

KNEBWORTH TWINNING ASSOCIATION

Newsletter June 2017 President: Lord Cobbold

KNEBWORTH COMMUNITY CHORUS:

TENN A trip is being organised by the Knebworth Community Choir to visit and perform at Châtelaillon from 31 May to 3 June 2018. This is an exciting development, as the choir has lots of younger members, with children, and is an ideal opportunity to encourage the younger families in Knebworth to get to know our twin town.

KNEBWORTH YOUTH FOOTBALL:

We received a request from a representative of the youth teams, asking if they could visit Châtelaillon next year. The two football clubs have now been in touch, and hopefully Knebworth will be going over at the end of May 2018.

TENNIS: The tennis club in Châtelaillon are very keen to come over and play the Knebworth Tennis Club. We used to have regular competitions between the two clubs, but unfortunately we haven’t been able to persuade anyone from the Knebworth Club to take on the responsibility for an exchange. But we continue to try!!

SCHOOLS :

With the departure of the Headmaster, and the senior French teacher at Knebworth School, it has been difficult to maintain contact and interest with them. But we continue to keep Twinning at the forefront of their minds! At the same time, one of the schools in Châtelaillon wish to bring the whole class over during 2018 – this is in the early stages of planning so we will keep you informed.

KNEBWORTH TWINNING ASSOCIATION

Newsletter June 2017 President: Lord Cobbold

BOULES:

Members continue their weekly practice on Monday afternoons at the Station Pub. All welcome

Once again we are competing in the Hertfordshire Town Twinning Boules Challenge. Letchworth will be hosting this year's challenge and it will be at the Orange Tree in Baldock on Sunday 23 July starting at 12 noon.

GARDEN PICNIC:

Ann & Tony will open their garden for a picnic on Sunday 30 July. As last year, everyone is invited to bring their own table, chairs etc and a plate of food to share. A list of food items will be sent round in early July for you to specify what to bring. This is a casual event for all KTA members to socialise with each other.

NEXT YEAR’S VISIT TO CHATELAILLON:

It has been suggested to us that we visit them again during the Easter holidays. The Committee’s own view is that we prefer to visit either during the Spring Bank Holiday, or for the Fete at the end of June. However, if the Football Club goes over at the end of May, then Châtelaillon say they cannot manage a general visit at the same time. We would like your own views on this as we intend to reply to the Châtelaillon Twinning Committee by the beginning of July.

KNEBWORTH TWINNING ASSOCIATION

Newsletter June 2017 President: Lord Cobbold

INTERLINKING EVENTS:

Welwyn Anglo-French Twinning Association: Bastille Day Bash – Friday 14 July from 6pm. Numbers are limited and we will regrettably have to restrict the event initially to members, and on a first come, first served basis. Please contact Graham as soon as possible – [email protected] or 01707 326777.

Hitchin Town Twinning Association: Barbeque 2017. Saturday 8th July at 7pm. Please contact David and Jean Pierce on 01462 232585 for further details and tickets.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

23 July 2017: Hertfordshire Town Twinning Boules Challenge. At the Orange Tree in Baldock at 12 noon.

30 July 2017: Picnic at Ann and Tony Judge’s at 1pm.

7 September 2017: Talk by Henry Cobbold – Finding Emily

28 October 2017: Quiz. Knebworth Village Hall at 7pm.

January 2018: Winter Social – Exact date and venue to be confirmed.