Holsworthy Twinning Association

Holsworthy Twinning Visit 2008

On Thursday 29th May, 49 members of Holsworthy and District Twinning Association left Holsworthy at 7.00 am to travel by coach to their Twin Town Aunay sur Odon to renew friendships with their French Families. There were eight others travelling in cars.

The following day, a trip to Vire started with a visit to a factory producing cutlery. The number of different design castings was impressive showing how well the factory was coping with different fashion trends. There was an impressive amount of automation, but manual finishing and very good control underlined the quality of the products. Other factory lines include metal kitchenware and porcelain.

After the visit, different groups enjoyed walking around the market in the town. A large number of the twinners then joined up for a very pleasant lunch at Le Café Du Theatre organised superbly by Andre Alix (Didi) and Pierre Blestel.

With lunch dismissed, a further visit was made to Pontécoulant with its 17th century chateau. The French guide was assisted by our latest member, Adam Hilton, who translated for the benefit of the English.

The day was rounded off by a social meeting and aperitifs at the Marie with the mayor of Aunay, M. Daniel Bertin. In his speech M. Bertin underlined his dedication to twinning and wished everyone a pleasant weekend. In reply Phil Glessing thanked the organisers for their hospitality.

On Saturday, the English stayed with their French families for the day. In the evening, there was the usual get together with a meal and dance. Pierre Cool welcomed new families from both Holsworthy and Aunay. Chairman Phil Glessing thanked the host families for making everyone welcome and remarked on the healthy state of the oak tree donated and planted by Holsworthy in 1999, and thanked the French for the flowers that were sent at his recent wedding.

The group returned on Sunday via Roscroff to Plymouth exchanging memories of a very successful weekend.

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On 28th April 2005 Holsworthy and District Twinning Association welcomed 70 people from their twin town of Aunay-sur-Odon in the Calvados region of France.  This year we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the founding of the friendship link back in 1975.

To celebrate that special occasion a civic reception was held in the Market Hall with our Mayor, Mr Arthur Stewart welcoming the Mayor of Aunay, Monsieur Pierre Lefevre who presented a small statuette to the town.  The welcoming party included the Mayoress, Mrs Arthur Stewart, Deputy Mayor, Councillor Liz Squire and the Portreeve, Betty Oak plus members of the Holsworthy Twinning Committee, Alan Harris, Philip Glessing, Janet George and Sylvia Gilbert.

On Friday morning the visitors were taken on a guided tour of Exeter, which included an opportunity for some shopping.  The evening was the big event of the visit with a dinner dance held at the Falcon Hotel in Bude.  The French visitors and their hosts totalled over 140 people and we all sat down to an excellent meal, enjoyed the music and dancing and we each had a piece of the delicious celebration cake made by Sally Harris.  The presentation of a framed group photograph taken last year when we visited Aunay was made by Pierre Cool, Aunay's President, to Holsworthy's Chairman, Philip Glessing.

At the friendly football match on Saturday afternoon Holsworthy beat Aunay 5-0.  Two years ago we were beaten on our home ground 1-0.  However, honour has now been restored.

On Sunday morning we said au revoir to our French friends until next year when we visit them.  A small plaque was given to each family which commemorated the 30 years of friendship.

If anyone reading this is interested in learning about Holsworthy Twinning and would like to join as individuals or as a family please contact our Secretary Mrs Janet George on 01409 253 356 or Philip Glessing on 01288 354 402.

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