This site is under constant revision. If you wish to add or include any content, please contact info@kota.org.uk. Last Updated February 2010
WHAT IS TWINNING?
Twinning is a special relationship between two countries, which is sealed by the signing of a charter. This concept was extended after the Second World War when a conscious effort was made to rebuild friendships especially in Europe.
Devon is twinned with the Calvados region of Normandy in France and in 1979 Kingsteignton was twinned with Orbec, a lovely medieval town.
The aim of Twinning is to broaden a mutual understanding of the cultural, recreational, educational and commercial activities of each other’s communities. It offers a unique and personal experience of living, for a few days, in the same house as people whose ways are just a little bit different to ours. So many things across Europe are now the same but within the home and family there are still many fascinating differences. What do they have for breakfast? How do they furnish their homes? What shape are their pillows? Most importantly, we meet people as they really are. They open their homes to welcome us, as we do them, initially as strangers who soon become friends. By doing this we can promote and foster friendship and understanding between the people of Kingsteignton and those of Orbec.
Each year we have one official contact with Orbec. One year we visit them and the next year they come to us. We have social events here at home to get to know each other and to raise funds as the association is self-supporting.
Twinning is open to everyone, individuals, couples and families. The age of our members ranges from 1 year to 80+! It is not necessary to speak French although it can be fun trying! 
Welcome
to our first Newsletter of 2011 and here is your new committee for the coming year. All positions are Honorary.
President – Vee Chambers
Chairman – Janet Betts
Vice Chairman – Pat Wignall
Secretary – Eileen Fazakerley
(also Membership Secretary)
Treasurer – Marilyn Hazell
Committee – Liz Lord, Dorothea Fleckney, Anne Lonsdale, Sam Partridge, Joan Lambert (Town Council representative), Frances Bartlett (Minutes Secretary)
There are two vacancies on the committee. If you are interested, please contact our secretary.
Obituary
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Fred Stone. He and Maureen were members in the early days of Twinning and have recently rejoined KOTA. Our thoughts are with Maureen and the family at this difficult time.
Membership fees of £10 per adult (under 18s free) are now due and should be paid to Marilyn by 31st March at the very latest.
Invitations
Kingskerswell Twinning Association is holding a Skittles Evening on Saturday 19th March at 7.30pm in the Forde Hall Social Club, corner of Brunel Road & Torquay Road, Newton Abbot. The £5 entrance includes a Ploughman’s Supper. Hot and cold drinks can be purchased from the club bar.
Please let Eileen know before 12th March if you wish to attend.
Our own social/fund-raising events
Charles Wray has kindly offered to hold another quiz for us on Friday 8th April. This will be in the Mary Hall Suite at Rydon Hall starting at 7pm. Teams should consist of no more than 4 people. The price will be £5 and will include a finger buffet. Tea, coffee and soft drinks will be available. Please book your places by 1st April with Eileen.
Following last year’s successful event, Liz Lord has agreed to host another Coffee & Croissant Breakfast on Sat. 7th May from 9.30-11.30am
Full details will follow later.
Other dates for your diary
Anne Lonsdale has offered to hold a coffee morning on Saturday June 4th.
Janet and Wally Betts will be hosting a Ploughman’s Lunch event in July
More details of both these events will follow in our next newsletter.
Fête de l’Europe
Penny and Duncan Moss, with the Great Western Dance Group are taking part in this event, which takes place at Benouville near Caen in June.
We wish them ‘bon voyage et bonne chance’!
Our friends in Orbec and La Vespiére will provide their accommodation.
2011 visit to Orbec 19th – 24th August Don’t forget to book your place for this year’s visit to Orbec. Deposits should be paid to Marilyn with your booking as soon as possible.
Travel insurance is available at very competitive rates through the Devon Twinning Circle. No extra charges are made for older or disabled members.
4-berth cabins are available at a cost of £26 per cabin each way. Please let Marilyn know if you wish to book one.
We will, of course, keep the cost of the whole trip as low as possible, but this will depend on how many people go.
VISIT OF FRENCH AUGUST 2010
On the morning of Saturday 22nd August we welcomed 56 people from our Twin Town of Orbec in Normandy, for a stay of 5 days. They had hoped to be with us by 10am after a night crossing, but over rigorous examination of travel documents for some reason, delayed their departure from Portsmouth.After a short reception with refreshments in the Rydon hall, where the Mayor, Mrs Beryl Austen gave a speech of welcome in both French and English, all hosts took their guests home for lunch.In the afternoon many took advantage of the kind invitation from the Bowling Club in Berry Lane to experience bowling on grass, as there is nothing like it in France.This was much enjoyed, and several came away with various trophies!
Sunday saw a traditional Sunday lunch at the Passage House Hotel, with suitably patriotic coloured table linen in red, white and blue. A quiz was placed on each table, to be completed by the French in English and by the English in French. This lead to much hilarity, but also to much bonding between various people seeking answers.The trophy was won by the French by a very narrow margin.
Monday was a day out in Bath, with visit to the Roman Baths and audio guides in French, lunch arranged for 74 at Garfunkels and some free time before coming back.Despite a tremendous downpour around 1.30, which caught people going to the restaurant, all managed to dry out, and the weather was fine afterwards.
On Tuesday people entertained their own guests, with many joining with others to share transport and ideas. Throughout the visit efforts were made by all to join forces to share in meals and activities, and new friendships were made.
The party left at 9.45on Wednesday morning just after the heavens opened…..so we were all very thankful that the days of the visit went so well.All who participated on both sides expressed their pleasure in the way things had gone, and grateful thanks are due to all who hosted, and to all the committee members, without whom the visit could not have happened.
We should be visiting France next year…..date to be decided. Anyone wishing to know more about the Association is most welcome to contact the secretary, Eileen Fazakerley on 01626 356441.
KINGSTEIGNTON-ORBEC TWINNING ASSOCIATION
Our New Year Dinner was again held at Dainton Park Golf Club and as in previous years we enjoyed an excellent meal. A good number of members were able to be there despite all the colds and 'flu that were around. We put our thinking caps on in-between courses to do a Christmas song themed quiz which caused a good few laughs.
At the end of January the AGM was well attended. Our president, Vee Chambers, took the chair for the elections when Janet Betts was elected Chairperson, Sandra Cross was elected Vice-chairperson with Eileen Fazakerley and Marilyn Hazell continuing in their roles of Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Thanks were given to the outgoing committee members for all they have done for us.
We have been invited to some social events organised by other Twinning Associations including a skittles evening, a quiz night and a Murder Mystery night, all in March! We shall be busy enjoying ourselves! Our own light-hearted quiz evening is planned for 21st April and we hope to have a Treasure Hunt around Kingsteignton in the summer amongst other things.
The 30th Anniversary of Twinning between Kingsteignton and Orbec is being celebrated this year and we hope that some of you will be able to join us in our special celebrations or on our visit to Orbec in July.
Come and join us!
Other dates for your diary
Membership of KOTA costs £10 a year per adult. Children join for free.
Links
Orbec Web site (in French)
Contact info@kota.org.uk for all KOTA enquiries