The Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge
Between 21 and 24 September we were delighted to welcome ten members of our twin Rotary Club of Blanquefort-en-Medoc and four of their ladies. They were hosted during the weekend by members of our Club who had enjoyed the inaugural twinning visit to France in March, 2006. The programme included a welcoming dinner at Cameley Lodge on the Friday which was very well supported by our own members and our ladies.
Saturday morning was spent in Bath and started with a guided tour of the Roman Baths and Pump Rooms. This was followed by an official welcome to Bath and North East District by the Chairman, Councillor Ian Dewey and a conducted tour of the Guildhall led by Councillor Helen Brinkhurst. Lunch was taken next door at Browns Restaurant and the afternoon was given over to a relaxing City Bus Tour.
On Sunday morning members of Council of both Clubs spent an hour exploring possible joint projects. Since then it has been agreed that we will support projects of theirs by sending 'Books to Africa' and 'Phones to Senegal' and they plan to support our 'Water-Survival Box' project (see
www.worldwaterworks.org). Some 54 people then enjoyed an excellent 'Sunday lunch' in the magnificent surroundings of Ston Easton Park Hotel. Councillor Ian Dewey and his wife Barbara and Rotary District Governor Brian Hellin and his wife Val honoured the occasion with their presence and contributed to the 'after-lunch' speeches applauding the twinning link that had now been firmly cemented. The main speeches were from our President Steve Tanner (who spoke in French and English) and from President Francois Dumareau (again in both languages). Both Presidents spoke enthusiastically about the future of our twinning and of the planned joint projects.After just a couple hours of respite the majority reconvened at The Queens Arms, Chew Magna, for a traditional Skittles Match. Whilst not quite of Agincourt, Cressy or Waterloo intensity the game did revive national pride on both sides - and the home side managed a win albeit the highest individual men's score was that of Jean Cambar. Happily Kay Clarke took the ladies' prize.
We look forward to the next visit to France which is planned for September next year.
The photographs show some of the weekends activities:
1 - 4 Visit to Bath
5 - 16 The Guildhall - conducted tour
17 - 22 Lunch at Browns Restaurant
23 - 63 Twinning Lunch at Ston Easton Park Hotel
