News

NEWSLETTER No 6 September 2006

Colin Tearle (Chairman) 01303 892621

David Bateman (Vice-chairman)

Karen Tatt (Secretary) 01303 893724

Paul Tatt (Treasurer)

Harry O`Grady  Andrew Barchi

Yvonne Parry  Heather Bateman - Peter Brocklebank

Linda Tearle  Graham Truss

Dear Member,

Friday 1st September saw members of Swingfield Twinning Association gather at Smersole Farm to greet friends from Aviron for the annual weekend visit.. The inclement weather meant that the welcome was warm but brief, and our French visitors were soon whisked off to their host’s homes for refreshments and a comfortable billet, ready for an early start in the morning.

Saturday’s main activity was a visit to Faversham for the Hop weekend festivities starting with a tour of the Shepherd Neame brewery and complimentary beer tasting. The vintage delivery vehicles and old steam beer engines were a particular attraction. The visitors and their hosts spent the rest of the day wandering the streets of Faversham enjoying the traditional dancing and folk music – including at least one rendition of La Marsellaise. - and partaking of the delights of Faversham’s many hostelries. It was rewarding for the English hosts to be able to present the French visitors so many of their country’s traditions in one place – real ales, pub food, morris dancing, pearly Kings and Queens and folk tunes – and of course a spot of good old English rain. In the late afternoon the windswept but happy group returned to there family homes to freshen up before the evening’s activities.

A three course meal was provided on Saturday evening, washed down with French wines and English real ale. Musical entertainment was provided by French and English members of the Associations and speeches in both languages were given by Mr Colin Tearle and M. Pascal Clement, the respective Chairmen.

Sunday morning was spent en famille prior to meeting at Selsted School for a farewell barbeque. Changeable weather did mean that the group had to dine indoors, but excellent food prepared by the English hosts and barbequed chicken and sausages set our French friends up ready for the long drive back to Normandy. Shortly after 3pm the visitors were given a fond farewell and with much Gallic cheek kissing and English backslapping, all promised to meet again soon, but this time on the other side of the channel.