Twinning Visits

Twinning visits are weekend breaks with a difference. Hosts and guests may be complete strangers to one another and knowledge of the other’s language non-existent. The knots in the tummies of first time volunteers get tighter as the event gets nearer - just like first time parachute jumps! However once “in the air” adrenaline takes over and by the time both parties have “landed”, they are usually hooked and rushing to sign on again.

Theillay make their biennial visit to us next May and we are now arranging the programme of activities and events from arrival on Thursday afternoon 1 May - a national holiday in France - until departure on Sunday morning. We shall have the slight complication of entertaining guests on a working Friday. Then on our Bank Holiday Monday we shall be clear to set-up another fund raising stall at the Playing Field Car Boot Sale (where £320 was made this year thanks to all of you who donated and came and bought), or to lend a hand to the Playing Field organisers.

Volunteer hosts provide bed and board for Theillay’s twinners. This may be for a single person, partners, friends, or family with several children and grandparents too! The Twinning Association is responsible for arranging hospitality and entertainment to put hosts and guests at ease, to allow some relaxation and to have a good party - although some hosts prefer to do things their own way.

We normally fund the visits from a combination of our members’ annual subscriptions (£10 family and £5 individual) and from fund-raising social activities that are open to members and non-members alike.

2008 was the 10th anniversary the official twinning ceremony in 1998 and we were delighted to have the support of the Parish Council to make this visit a celebration throughout the village.

PS – our photograph: some of Theillay hosts out and about with some of Stowey’s twinners, Easter 2007