Annual Dinner – 2017

Annual Dinner:  Saturday 25th February 2017

Newtown Twinning Association

Annual Dinner

Newtown Twinning Association recently held its annual dinner, which took place at the Elephant and Castle.

Everyone was welcomed into the dining room to the sounds of traditional French music, played by Geoff and Esta from the band Ffonic.

After the splendid three course had finished, we were treated to a glimpse into the childhood of Tim Clarke, who grew up on a tea plantation in Sri Lanka. He spoke eloquently and movingly about his life amongst the Tamils, who worked on the tea plantations, and helped to understand more about the intricate web of power, politics and money that drive the production of the world’s favourite drink.

On display throughout the evening were photographs from 2016, of the various trips and events that the association had enjoyed as part of their links with Les Herbiers in the Vendée.  In July, we held a picnic in Dolerw Park, which was well attended, with shared food and a barbecue. Then, in September, Newtown Food Festival was a particular success for our French guests, in spite of a summer storm threatening to blow them all away.  They invited our committee members to go to France for the big Chrono event in October [an international cycle race and trade fair] and four responded to make a self funded trip.

After the raffle had been drawn, Andrew Gentle spoke about this year’s trip to Les Herbiers, which will take place in the middle of June.  Welsh crafts will be taken for sale at the big craft fair, some people will join the French rambling group and others are deciding whether to take part in a race across the sands, between the mainland and the island of Noirmoutier.  Everyone will travel in style with Owen’s coaches and will be hosted by French families, with a Gala dinner on the Saturday evening.

Fred Mathieu showed two short films from Les Herbiers; one which advertises the splendour of the Puy du Fou summer spectacle, which tells in colourful and dramatic form, episodes of French history, with a magnificent son et lumière at the end of the evening; the second was a lovely reminder of how varied and interesting the Vendée can be – an excellent destination for a family summer holiday.

A small number of places remain for anyone interested in joining the trip. Please find more details on the Newtown Council website, or contact Liz Bushell on 01686 671245.