YEARBOOK
2010
Llandrindod Wells and Area Twinning Association
http://llandrindodtwinning.wordpress.com/
Llandrindod Wells and Area Twinning Assocation The clocks and the weather have changed, it is darker earlier in the day and the days are wetter, windier and colder. This can only mean one thing, the end of the year approaches bringing signs of winter and it is time to publish our 2010 Year book. Our Association has seen a mixed bag of Twinning activities this year varying between fund raising events, social outings and various visits. Yours truly, along with Mrs T paid a visit to ContrexĂŠville in July where we experienced glorious sunshine and a warm and friendly welcome with fireworks. You can read more about that particular visit in the following pages along with other news and stories and of how we brought a class of school children from Bad Rappenau to Llandrindod. Overall it has been another busy year and our committee and supporters were pressed into pulling out all the stops to accommodate the many events. The idea of this year book is to give readers an insight of what Twinning is about, how active we are and how we are ready to welcome new members. As you read through the various entries, just pause and promise yourself to find out more about the Association and to get involved. Why not register as a 'Friend of Twinning'. We are a growing Association and are supported by the Mayor and the Town Council. We meet every third Wednesday of the month and our agenda is geared to motivate and stimulate the interests of Twinning. Every year we host visitors from Bad Rappenau and ContrexĂŠville. The mixture of languages and people is stimulating in itself, but to be involved meeting and hosting has got to be the best part of the whole plot so come along and join us, we have our annual dinner in February 2011. Traditionally we publish near the festive season and this year is no exception but do look out for the special Twinning Association Christmas cards that feature an excellent photograph (by kind permission of Jane Malvern) of the Old Parish Church window. They are on sale at 50p each just contact our secretary or any member of Twinning. For now I take this opportunity to wish you all a very 'Happy Christmas' and a 'Merry New Year.'
Chairman
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Annual Dinner On Friday 19th February the Twinning Association held its annual dinner. Twenty-eight Twinning Association members and supporters attended the occasion at Llandrindod Wells Golf Club. Everyone enjoyed a superb threecourse meal served in the recently refurbished restaurant. At the end of every course the gentlemen moved tables thus giving everyone a chance to catch up on all the local news and gossip. As the diners left snow flakes were once again beginning to fall in what was to be the coldest winter for over three decades.
Fundraising Sale During the first week in March Deryn Gambles with the help of several committee members held a sale at Pritchard's salerooms. A wide range of goods from foot spas to water jugs were donated by our supporters in Llandrindod Wells and the surrounding area. One item, a chandelier given by Sibylle Hummel of Bad Rappenau, attracted many offers from dealers but was eventually sold to Abbey Cwmhir Hall. The sale raised ÂŁ1,168 towards the Association's funds. Watch out for the next sale that will be held between 8th and 20th August 2011. All donations will be gratefully received.
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Stadtfest at Bad Rappenau Four people from Llandrindod were guests of Bad Rappenau at their June Stadfest . At this annual summer festival the streets and squares are filled with stalls and entertainment marquees and there is a lively party atmosphere. The Llandrindod Committee had tried hard to encourage local craft and produce exhibitors to take the opportunity to promote their wares at the Stadfest but with no success. ContrexĂŠville always supports the event and this year participants arrived laden with French bread, cheese, wine, Contrex water and craft items that were quickly devoured by the enthusiastic crowds. The French and Welsh guests were made most welcome by their German hosts who organised a beautiful boat trip on the Neckar, an excellent hotel reception and meal. All the spa facilities were available for use by the guests. It is hoped that in future years craft and produce exhibitors from Llandrindod and area might like to be part of the Stadfest festivities.
Annual General Meeting The Association's annual general meeting was held on 20th May. The following officers and committee members were elected or co-opted: Chairman: Jeff Thomas, Vice Chairman: Rob Shelton,Treasurer: Ray Trend, Secretary: Peter Davies,French liason: Ann Stone, German liason: Elsbeth Vipond, Hosting Secretary: Barbara Shelton. Members: Roger Malvern, Jane Malvern, Deryn Gambles, Sheila Bufton,Wendy Thomas, and representing Llandrindod Wells Town Council, Gary Price and Trish Hill. Ex-officio membership positions representing the High School and Powys CC remained unfilled. Thanks was extended to Will Francis and Marion Lopez, who stepped down from the committee, and to all other committee members for their hard work over the past year. In his report the chairman outlined the successful visits and events undertaken over the past year and looked forward to the busy year ahead.
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Realschüle Visit A group of twenty-five pupils and their teachers from the Realschȕle, Bad Rappenau – Llandindod Wells’s twin town in Germany – were welcomed by mayor Gary Price and mayoress Kathleen Hewson on their arrival at the Elan Valley Lodge for a four-day stay. The school party was accompanied by twenty-three adults who stayed at the homes of local supporters of the Llandrindod Wells and Area Twinning Association. A separate programme of events was arranged for the adult visitors. They went to St Fagans National Museum and Cardiff Bay. They were also introduced to flat green bowling by members of Llandrindod Wells Bowling Club and were entertained at a brilliant farewell party kindly hosted by Sheila Bufton. For the German students a full programme of activities was organised that enabled them to meet and make friends with young people in the area. Ms. Carol Morgans, Headteacher of Llandindod High School, invited the German students to spend a day in the school where they took part in a special eisteddfod with the local pupils and were given a short introduction to Welsh, and the architecture and history of Llandrindod. Sabine Kaiser, one of the teachers accompanying the German pupils, said how pleased she was at the way the pupils from both schools had interacted through the medium of English. For many of the pupils it was their first visit to Britain and they were able to make a large number of new friends and links with pupils at the High School. After their day in the school the German students were joined by thirty Llandrindod pupils for an evening of bowls organised by Llandrindod Wells Bowling Club which was thoroughly enjoyed by all who took part. The pupils also visited Aberystwyth and Nant yr Arian where they watched the kite feeding and were guided on a walk by Joan Annetts. After this day out the group returned to Rhayader where the children met members of Rhayader Youth Group for an evening barbecue, whilst the adults enjoyed an evening meal and the Football World Cup Final.
On their last day the full party made a trip to the Big Pit Mining Museum, Blaenavon, where they descended into the dark underground coal mine. On their return to daylight everyone enjoyed a picnic lunch provided by supporters of the Twinning Association. This day of adventure culminated in a raft building activity for the pupils in the Claerwen valley.
Youth Visit At the end of July a youth group of thirty-five young people from Bad Rappenau, paid a very successful visit to Llandrindod Wells. The young people stayed at the Elan Valley Lodge for their four day visit to Wales and thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality offered by their Welsh hosts.
One highlight of the visit was a football match between the Bad Rappenau and Llandrindod Wells football clubs' youth teams for a trophy given by the Bad Rappenau Twinning Association. The game was very competitive and played in a sporting manner with each team scoring three goals in a thrilling 3-3 draw. Thanks were given to the referee Alan Smith and Geraint Davies from Llandrindod Football Club for organising the match. After the game both teams were presented with trophies and enjoyed a barbecue. The Bad Rappenau Twinning Association extended an invitation to Llandrindod Football Club to visit Germany in 2011 and play again for the trophy. The lively German youth group also visited Aberystwyth and St Fagans National History Museum. For many of the young visitors this was their first trip to Britain which they thoroughly enjoyed. Jeff Thomas, the Chairman of Llandrindod Twinning, said that the visit proved a very positive vehicle to create friendship and understanding through the exchange of sport and cultural experiences. He hoped that young people from Llandrindod will be able to visit Bad Rappenau in the near future.
Visit to Contrexéville Six twinners from Llandrindod accepted an invitation to visit Contrexéville to celebrate Bastille Day on 14th July. Sadly Anne and Ron Stone did not make it, their car having suffered brake failure. Chairman Jeff Thomas and his wife Wendy, travelling by car via Dover, Calais and Rheims, where the beer was cheap and food excellent, arrived at their destination on 13th July. After meeting Roger and Jane Malvern, who had travelled to France with their caravan, the Welsh group joined fourteen twinners from Bad Rappenau at the Twelve Apostles Hotel for a champagne reception that lasted three hours! Following the reception dinner was served at the catering college. It was a very enjoyable evening. The wine flowed and the atmosphere was splendid. The morning parade on Bastille day was led by the Firemen of Contrexéville in glorious sunny weather. At 11.00am precisely the storming of the Bastille and two World Wars were remembered in a true celebratory manner; a very moving and passionate silence. At the champagne reception that followed, mayor Arnauld Savini was presented with a carved Welsh love spoon, a gift from Gary Price mayor of Llandrindod. The whole group then proceeded to a barbecue party by the lake. It was a well organised function with time built in for a stroll around the lakes. Dinner that evening was at the tennis club in the park. The theme was a family evening and several locals were there mixing with the visitors. Once again the meal was really good with six or seven courses all accompanied by a different wine. Mayor Salvini was the guest of honour. The day culminated with a brilliant firework party by the lake and a lively gathering that lasted into the small hours. On his last full day in Contrexéville, following the departure of Roger and Jane, Jeff played golf with Mayor Salvini. Llandrindod Wells just pipped Contrexéville. There could be a rematch in Llandrindod in 2011.....watch this space! That evening Jeff and Wendy were guests at a civic dinner.
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Skittles and Chips On 29th October twenty-five twinners and friends of all ages met at the Llandrindod British Legion Club for an evening of traditional nine-pin skittles with a fish and chips supper included in the entrance fee. The highest individual score of thirteen by Dewi Bufton Mathews ensured that he and his partner, grandfather Keith Bufton, won the pairs competition. In spite of the gallant efforts of her playing partner, Tobias Scheid, Elsbeth Vipond managed to finish in bottom place for the second year running winning a pumpkin rather than a wooden spoon! The knockout competition was won by Don Reed. The event raised over ÂŁ87 towards Twinning Association's funds. An enjoyable evening was had by everybody and special thanks was extended to Ann Harmon and Vic Everill who provided the equipment, organised the competition, and collected the meals. Also a big thank you to the British Legion, who provided the venue without charge, and to Don Reed who donated his winnings to the Twinning Association.
Christmas Markets
Earlier this year the Bad Rappenau Twinning Committee invited groups from . Llandrindod Wells and Area and Contrexéville to visit Germany for a long weekend at the beginning of December. Included in the programme of events are visits to a number of Christmas markets in and around Bad Rappenau. The German committee hoped that some of our supporters who acted as hosts during the summer together with members of the town council could find time to visit Bad Rappenau. Only two members of the Association, Sheila Bufton and Deryn Gambles were able to take up the invitation.
The Committee in Bad Rappenau has several supporters who are keen to host visitors from Llandrindod and the surrounding area. It is disappointing that we cannot always respond to their offers of hospitality. So if you are interested in visiting this beautiful part of Germany then do contact the Secretary or Chairman & they will ensure that you are aware of any future invitations.
Student Teachers Visit Llandrindod In Germany student teachers are required to spend up to three months working in an English speaking country as part of their training. This year Llandrindod Twinning Association helped to facilitate two student teacher work experience placements here in Llandrindod. In August Judith Hofmann, a student teacher from Bad Rappenau, spent four weeks at the home of Catherine and Gareth Griffiths helping to look after young children. In September, Tobias Scheid, who is a student teacher at Heidelberg University, started a three-month work experience placement at Trefonnen Primary School. Both enjoyed their stay in Wales remarking on the friendliness and good humour they found. The Twinning Association thanks the Griffiths family and David Underhill, Headteacher of Trefonnen Primary School, for all their help.
Choir Visit . July Tino Lauber, a young conductor from Bad Rappenau, brought his choir In “MGV Liederkranz 1863 Sulzbach” to Builth Wells as guests of Builth Male Voice Choir. The choir visit arose from contacts made when Builth Male Voice Choir visited Bad Rappenau in 2008. The choir had a busy three-day stay visiting Cardiff and Aberystwyth and performing concerts at the Millennium Centre Cardiff and Builth Leisure Centre.
Hygeia Badges
In Greek and Roman mythology Hygeia was the daughter of the god of medicine. She was the goddess of health, cleanliness, and sanitation. Her image was widely used until relatively recently on souvenir ware for the spa town of Llandrindod Wells. The Twinning Association has adopted a stylised version as our logo and have enamelled metal badges for sale at £1.00 each. The 20mmx 15mm badges have a butterfly pin and make ideal tie pins, lapel, or hat badges.
Forthcoming Events in 2011
The twinning committee is busy planning events for 2011 including: Annual dinner in February. Choir visit to Bad Rappenau to celebrate 10 years of twinning. ●Visit to Llandrindod by pupils of the Realschüle, Bad Rappenau. ●Junior football trip to Bad Rappenau. ●Fund raising events. ● ●
Please note that the Annual General Meeting will be held on 18 May 2011 at the Llandrindod Wells Conservative Club. Keep an eye on our website (address on cover) for further news.
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