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Twinning

2006 - 2009

Following exploratory trips to each other’s Clubs in 2006 a party of Chelwood Bridge members and our wives travelled to Blanquefort-en-Medoc for the inaugural twinning visit. We enjoyed a delightful weekend in March with our hosts culminating in the formal twinning dinner. The twinning of our two clubs was sealed with the presentation of a charter signed by the Presidents of both Clubs. 

 

Photo shows Presidents Jean Francois Bernard (Blanquefort), Jean Sarraute (RC Libourne-St Emilion) and Graham Robinson (Chelwood) 

2007 

In September, 2007 members of the Blanquefort Club and their wives were hosted by us and the weekend included a day sight-seeing in Bath and a splendid ‘Twinning Sunday Lunch’ at Ston Easton Park Hotel 

Photo shows President Francois Dumareau responding

to President Steve Tanner’s welcome.

During that visit it was agreed that, as well as enjoying the social benefits of twinning, our two clubs would support one or more projects run by our partner club. Chelwood Bridge agreed to help with english-language ‘Books for Africa’ and Blanquefort to explore the possible extension of the Water-Survival Box project in France. 

2008 

In September, 2008 Chelwood Bridge members made their second visit to Blanquefort. Another memorable weekend was enjoyed by us and included a trip to Chateau La Tour Blanche (home of the second best Premier Cru Classe after Chateau d’Yquem - Sauternes) and another tremendous twinning dinner 

 

Photo shows President Louis Fournier*  providing the expert description and President Colin and Marjorie Robinson about to sample the wine 

As we were to host the District 2009 Conference it was agreed that the next twinning visit to Chelwood Bridge would be in the autumn of 2010. However, four Rotarians and three wives from Blanquefort led by President Pierre-Louis Deroubaix travelled to Jersey to attend our 2009 Conference – a true expression of Rotary friendship and our entente cordiale! 

In November 2008 I was invited to attend a joint meeting of five Rotary Clubs in the Bordeaux area to give a presentation on the Water-Survival Box project. At the same meeting a presentation was also given by Dr Bernard Courtot representing the French Search and Rescue group ‘Pompiers sans Frontieres’.

2009 

Subsequently, in March, 2009, PsF requested a supply of WSBs for evaluation and possible use when they next respond to a disaster situation – 50 boxes have since been sent and we await details of their deployment in due course. 

The next photo shows a representative of Pompiers sans Frontieres signing a formal agreement with President Louis Fournier on behalf of the Blanquefort Club who will provide the on-going link for Water-Survival Box with Chelwood Bridge.

* Sadly Louis Fournier died suddenly in August, 2009.