2015
26th May 2015
25th anniversary twinning weekend in Darley Dale, 23/24th May 2015
Thank you letter from Kevin Senior, Twinning Association Chair
Dear Twinners Monday 25th May 2015
Sorry to wake you from your well-earned slumbers but I must send you this message.
Well, what a weekend. Hectic to say the least but we did it, we survived, we're here to tell some wonderful tales and, if I may say, have enjoyed an amazing time, together with our French friends.
Thank you for being involved, for taking part in the activities and for sharing your homes with longstanding friends and for some, strangers, who are no longer so. I make no apologies for being biased but in my experiences, the Onzainais are such friendly generous people. Their doors are always open to us at any time; not just during an exchange weekend. Please accept their open invitation to visit them at any time by simply keeping in touch with your recent guest(s) and arranging your own visits.
In the near future, the committee will be discussing dates to go to Onzain in 2016 and we shall publicise, whatever we agree with our French counterparts, in the usual ways.
I have received so many complimentary comments and not one real complaint. I may well be the guy up front enjoying what you have said to me about the weekend. But many people work very hard for this to happen and avoid me getting flack. Without their major contributions, I would not be in that position and I do wish to make that known to you all.
Catering, activities, sponsorship, facilities all take some organising. It would not be right to forget our Vice-chair, Sandy Doyles, who had started co-ordinating hosts and guests and then, very unfortunately, had a stroke. She is making such a good recovery, although it is still early days, but was not well enough to join us for the celebrations. However, our very erstwhile secretary, Bill Jameson, picked up where Sandy left off and finished the job on her behalf; apart from dealing with all the correspondence to/from you. Our catering team was lead by Ruth Shooter and you ate the sumptuous result they put together for the Saturday lunch. Dave Oakley, Rob Annable, Bill and myself organised the activities/events, which we hope you also enjoyed.
Notwithstanding, we don't always get it right, so please let us know if you have any (polite) suggestions to improve what we do.
To pinch a phrase from the 2012 Olympics "The best games yet".
Thank you all once more
Kevin
Chair
24th April 2015
25th anniversary twinning weekend in Darley Dale, 23/24th May 2015
The programme for the weekend is pretty well finalised and the headlines are shown below. There is a detailed programme for the weekend which will be presented at the AGM (29.4.15) and will also be in the information pack for hosts.
Saturday 23rdMay
10.30am Coach and minibus arrive at Darley Dale Primary School,
Official Welcome Reception.
12.00 noon Picnic lunch at the school
1.30 to 4.30pm Entertainment in the school grounds - performances by Darley Dale PS, Rowsley PS and South Darley PS, walking football, archery, cycling simulator and perhaps music and dancing from Onzain. Also a bouncy castle for the young ones!
Evening meal with host families
7.30 - 10.30pm Concert in Whitworth Centre with Darley Dale Band & la Renaissance Band from Onzain.
Sunday 24thMay
Breakfast with host families
11.00am Church Service in English & French at St. Helen's or visit Carriage Museum at Red House Stables.
12.00noon Lunch at St Helen's
2.00 - 5.30pm Entertainment in the Whitworth Park- Dancing by la Valcisienne from Onzain, music from la Renaissance Band, carriage rides by Red House Stables, Winster Morris, Peak Rail train ride, croquet demonstrations, art exhibition by Open Arts.
Evening meal with host families
Monday 25thMay
Early morning - time to be advised, coach and minibus depart from Darley
Dale Primary School
21st February 2015
25th anniversary twinning weekend in Darley Dale 22/23/24 May 2015
Would you be able to host some French visitors from Onzain this May?
We have now started to receive lists of names from Onzain who will be coming here in May. The Onzain band, La Renaissance, and the dancers, La Valcissienne, have confirmed so we know there will be about 80 people from Onzain.
After the call for hosts last year, many kindly replied and we have hosting promised for about 50 adults and 10 children. We clearly need many more hosts so I would be grateful if you would please complete the short questionnaire on the link below. Don't forget to add your name and email address where asked and click on "submit" after answering the questions.
https://docs.google.com/forms/
Planning for the weekend is progressing well and the following outline programme is being worked up:
Friday 22nd May - Onzain arrive early evening, reception by Darley Dale Town Council.
Saturday 23rd May - Morning with host families, afternoon picnic and events at Darley Dale Primary School.
Saturday evening - concert in the Whitworth ballroom with La Renaissance and Darley Dale Band.
Sunday 24th May - morning service at St Helen's Church, afternoon music in the Whitworth Park with the brass bands, La Valcissienne, Winster Morris and we hope some other surprise perfomances!
Sunday evening with host families
Monday morning - depart - it's all over!!
