Photo supplied by Roz Gauthier
Twinning visit to Heacham July 2010
More than fifty visitors (including twenty children) from France were welcomed to Heacham on Thursday, 15 July.
A French newspaper reported: ” The Twinning between the communities of Heacham & Criteil-la-Magdeleine is flourishing. A group of 52 of our French twins made the trip over last weekend (15th July), accompanied by the Mayor Michel Fougere and 2 of his “Parish Councillors” and the ever hard-working Secretary Monique Enard, who is also the local Junior School Headmistress/Teacher.”
The five day visit to Heacham was filled with a variety of activities and more than 100 people were catered for by the Heacham Twinning Committee on several occasions. The whole weekend was financed through the proceeds from the year’s Fundraising Events plus a small £10 “blanket cost” charged to all members attending any/all the events.
As a result of the hardwork by the Committtee and many Association members, everyone enjoyed seeing their friends again and making new friends as well (amongst our fellow UK Association Members as well as the French). The French visitors seemed to really enjoy themselves and the visit to Norfolk Lavender was especially popular . The French teenagers seemed to particularly enjoy the Bowls and Carpet Bowls on the Monday whilst the younger children attended the Junior School for the morning, and then many particiapted in “funny” cricket in the afternoon down by Heacham beach.
The Saturday evening event with a sit-down dinner was enjoyed by all, especially the in-house entertainment provided by both French guests and Heachamites. The final hour turned into a veritable rock and roll disco (music courtesy of Michael (vocals and lead guitar), Sam (guitar) and Pam (on drums) .
On the Sunday, some of “twinners” attended St Marys Church and a fanatstic service was held in both French and English. The choir sang one hymn in French too! The rest of the day was spent with the Heacham Host families who had arranged the activities for the day. Some went to see the seals at Blakeney, some to Wells – others had a trip into Hunstanton and a family barbeque.
The Heacham & Criteuil-La-Magdeleine Twinning Association hopes that many of new members will now be already looking forward to the next trip over to France to experience their hospitality again especially since this weekend seems to have whetted appetites and increased interest in the Twinning concept – maybe with the hint of the cognac and Pineau available as added incentive !
The Committee of Heacham & Criteuil-La-Magdeleine Twinning Associationwould like to thank everybody for their enthusiasm and hard work helped make the weekend such a success.