Granville has a history of seafaring and piracy and the walled town overlooking the harbour was built by the English in 1439. Nowadays it is a popular holiday resort with many good restaurants particularly in the vicinity of the harbour and a good choice of hotels. The Haute Ville (High Town) is the oldest part protected by massive granite walls somewhat reminiscent of St Malo. An active fishing fleet works from the harbour as do a multitude of pleasure boats including regular ferry services to both Jersey and Chausey.
Sherborne is indeed fortunate in having Granville as it’s “twin” and we have enjoyed a close relationship since the inauguration ceremony in 1982. Over the years many lasting family friendships have been formed resulting from our annual group visits when we stay in each other’s homes and learn more about one another’s cultures. The ability to speak French, whilst an advantage, is not essential and twinning is for all ages and pockets.
We actively welcome new supporters from Sherborne and the surrounding villages and there is no annual subscription. If you would like further information, please contact either Penny Stewart (01963 23798) or John Snell on 01935 813171 . Alternatively, please contact Sherborne Tourist Office, Digby Road (tel: 815341) where a current list of Committee Members may be found. Any of these members will be only too pleased to learn of your interest and can arrange for you to receive one of our periodic Newsletters to keep you informed. You may also contact the Association by e-mail, using the link on our Home Pages.
SHERBORNE 2008 TWINNING EVENTS
On the 12th January we held our first event of the year - the Epiphany Party in the Church Hall, Digby Road. As usual it was very well attended with over 80 supporters present. The fancy dress theme of "Nursery Rhyme Characters" gave plenty of scope for some very imaginative interpretations and judging by Sherborne Town Clerk, Valerie Todd and Douzelage Chairman, Chris MacAdie could not have been easy. In the event however there had to be winners and Brian & Anne Chant as Mary, Mary Quite Contrary and Wee Willie Winkie took the prizes.
Les Derrick and the Apollo Five group provided some excellent music for dancing along with their usual repertoire of jazz favourites. Accompanying this was plenty of superb buffet food and the evening went with a real swing.With good reason the Twinning Association Epiphany Party is regarded as one of Sherborne's premier events of the winter season.
The next event we have to look forward to is our Annual General Meeting in the Catholic Church Hall, Westbury, Sherborne on Wednesday 12th March at 7.30 for 8.00pm. Following the short business meeting Kevin Waterfall will give an audio/visual presentation on Sakhalin Island and the effect on the environment of the oil and gas industry that has developed there. Off the east coast of Russia, Sakhalin has little connection with Town Twinning but the talk should be entertaining and a fascinating insight to part of the world we know little about.
Any resident of Sherborne and the surrounding villages with an interest in town twinning is invited to come to the meeting and learn about what we have done during the past year and what we have lined up for 2008. You will be made most welcome.
Annual General Meeting
At our AGM in March the following Committee was elected for the coming year:
Chairman Penny Stewart
Vice-Chairman Scilla Copper
Hon. Secretary John Snell
Hon. Treasurer Les Derrick
Other Committee Members
Monica Havard
Pepys Lordon
Pat Lordon
Michael Morrell
Pam Taylor
Claire Thompson
Our retiring Chairman, Pepys Lordon, surveyed the past year's events and thanked the Committee for it's support and hard work. Upon taking the Chair, Penny Stewart thanked Pepys and Pat his wife for their devotion to Twinning particularly with respect to their meticulously planned visits to France which they had been responsible for over many years. Penny then reviewed the programme for the coming year and expressed the hope that it would be well supported by our members.
Following the business meeting we enjoyed a presentation by Kevin Waterfall on the environmental impact of the oil industry on the Siberian off-shore island of Sakhalin with some fascinating digital images. A most enjoyable experience.
Visit to Sherborne by La Granvillais
Our French friends visited the town at the beginning of May for a few days following a visit and overnight stay to Oxford . During their stay we entertained them in our
homes and ended with a meal at the White Hart, Bishops Caundle. We arranged for the Town Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Keith and Mrs Sonia Batten to officially open the new Boules pitch on the Terrace and followed this by holding a friendly game with our French friends. Despite it being a French game we did on this occasion come out narrowly on top.
We welcome new boule players and if anyone is interested in playing they are asked to contact John Snell (01935 813171)
Our next event is the Summer Luncheon Party in the garden of one of our Committee members at Leigh on Sunday 27th July. Please contact Scilla Copper if you wish to come as numbers are limited.
On 1st October we pay our annual visit to France. We stay with our friends in Granville for two nights then depart for Nantes where we shall stay in the Ibis hotel in the city centre for 3 nights. During our stay we plan to visit Angers, Le Croissic and Guerande. These are attractive places which we have been to in the past but some years ago. By popular request we now plan to visit this most beautiful area of Brittany again. There are a few places still available so if anyone wishes to come they should contact the visit organiser, Pepys Lordon (01935 816335) or John Snell (01935 813171)
Images in the right hand column show Granville harbour with the church of Notre Dame in the Haute Ville. Below that are Deputy Town Mayor, Dominic Elliott, with retiring Chairman, Pepys Lordon, passing the insignia of office to Penny Stewart. This is followed by a picture of Mrs Sonia Batten officially opening the new town Boules Pitch on the Terrace.