I know you have received a Ramboulletin from Hilary since the AGM on 23^rd September but just wanted to say it was very sad this was less well attended than last year.

This was a great pity because we had a much more varied assortment of nibbles.

At the AGM Hilary, Stephen and Betty were all returned to their former positions and Brian Granger, Sue Knight, Dorothy McCabe, John Russell and Matthew Smith were elected to the committee.

Unfortunately this leaves us one committee member short, so if you would like to give it a try get in touch with one of the officers about it.

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Very sadly we had to cancel two Social Events during the last financial year due to lack of support.

Because of that we have decided to hold only the second general meeting this year, which well be held on Monday March 8^th from 7.00 to 9.00 pm.

We are hoping to meet at The Priory, Priory Plain, Gt. Yarmouth, from 7.00 to 9.00 pm, and are trying to get someone to talk to us about old Yarmouth.

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Thank you to those who have already renewed you membership for the year.

If you have not, could we request you do so as soon as possible. It remains at the same modest cost of £5 per person per annum, and needs sending to Betty Cox. Cheques made payable to the full Association name at the top of page also.

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We are hoping to restart our French Conversation evenings, in January.

These will be held at Fastolff House, Regent Street, Gt. Yarmouth on  a Monday evening and if  you are interested please give Hilary a ring and, subject to enough people wishing to come she will get it organised

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Twinning visit to Rambouillet, October 23rd to 26th 2009

A group from the Twinning Association and a Keep Fit Group from Gorleston travelled to Rambouillet for the weekend and received a very warm welcome as usual.  For the ladies of the Keep Fit Group it provided the opportunity to meet up with French friends from visits 25 years ago and for the twinners the opportunity to renew friendships and make new ones.

The French committee had planned a series of events for the weekend and these began after time with their host families on Saturday. In the afternoon they joined in the fun of the Autumn Parade, led by a Brazilian styled band, and marched, with a police escort, through the main shopping centre.  The children, and some adults wore Halloween costumes and it became clear that part of the excitement for the children was visiting some of the shops where the owners had a supply of sweets to put into the bags or baskets the children carried.  In the absence of a basket an upturned witch’s hat served very well to hold the accumulated haul. The event, which had been organised by the French Twinning Committee, finished with drinks and biscuits, and more sweets, outside the Rambouillet Hotel de Ville where tables had been set up in a temporary shelter. Sadly, due to damp weather and the holiday just beginning there were fewer children this year but those who did attend had an enjoyable afternoon which was of course the important thing.

In the evening the whole party, English guests and French host families, gathered at the Hotel Mercure, Relays du Chateau for a formal Dinner.  They were joined for aperitifs by the newly elected Deputy (MP) M. Jean-Frederic Poisson, who invited the group to visit the National Assembly during their next visit for a tour, and lunch.

On Sunday a coach trip to Paris was arranged, and once there a trip up the Seine on a Bateau Mouche was followed by lunch at the café in the Museum of Architecture with time to explore the exhibits and exhibition.

The afternoon culminated in a bus tour of the city, with an English commentary, when all had the opportunity to enjoy some of the wonderful buildings of Paris.  These included the Dome des  Invalides, the Cathedral of Notre Dame and the Opera, and finished at the Eiffel Tower, which was all lit up by then.  Superb.

On their return to Rambouillet members dined with their hosts and packed for the journey home on Monday.

Another successful and enjoyable trip for the Association, but sadly with reduced numbers this year but enjoyed by all who did participate.    (Report from Hilary)