16^th November - AGM

At the AGM,  held in the Masonic Hall on the North Lynn Industrial Estate, Chairman Brian Harrison reported on another successful year, the highlight of which had been the visit by members from Emmerich at the end of June.  Events during the weekend had included a backstage tour of the Corn Exchange, a hugely successful casino evening at the Town Hall and a visit to Thursford with a specially arranged behind the scenes tour.  The visit to Emmerich by Twinning Club members from King’s Lynn next year would take place from Friday 24^th to Tuesday 28^th May.  As Mr Harrison had served three years as chairman he was not eligible to stand for re-election, but on this occasion the chain presented by the Emmerich Club in 2004 will stay in the family, as Mrs Penny Harrison was unanimously elected chairman to succeed him.  As this meant she could no longer continue in her role as secretary, Mrs Penny Dossetor was elected to take on this role.  Mr Ernie Foreman and Mrs Ann Foreman both resigned as Treasurer and Exchange Secretary respectively and Mr Carl Webb and Mrs Annie Ricketts were elected in their stead.  Mrs Kate Sayer and Mr Philip Mole were elected to join the committee, while the remaining committee members were re-elected en bloc.

After the business meeting, members enjoyed a finger buffet and a social get-together.

15^th March - Supper evening at College of West Anglia

About 30 people enjoyed a meal at the College of West Anglia, sampling food prepared and served by students on catering and hospitality courses.  It was an interesting and novel experience for many, and everyone thought the food was excellent and very good value.  Chairman Brian Harrison reported on the arrangements so far for the visit from Emmerich at the end of May.  He also announced that some students on a media production course at the college, one of whom was present at the meal, were currently working on a film about the twinning between King's Lynn and Emmerich.  They had carried out interviews with people in King's Lynn and hoped to travel to Emmerich before too long to continue filming there, focusing in particular on fellow students there. 

25^th to 28^th May - Visit from Emmerich

Unintentionally perhaps, the theme of this year's visit from our twinning friends in Emmerich was public entertainment.  The coach arrived from Harwich on Friday 25^th May at the King's Lynn Corn Exchange which had hosted the televised Question Time the night before. After welcoming the guests they were given an insight into how the building works as a theatre and a venue for any number of other events.   From there we proceeded to the ancient Guildhall of Saint George, or the Arts Centre, where some of Shakespeare's actors, if not the great man himself, are known to have performed. 

The main event of the weekend was on the Saturday evening and took the form of a three course dinner in the beautiful setting of the Town Hall, followed by a casino evening.  This went down very well and there was a great buzz around the various gaming tables.  As we were all playing with plastic chips no-one went home without a shirt and we were delighted that it was one of the German guests who scooped the prize for winning the most "money". 

Continuing with the Entertainment theme was a visit to Thursford as the coach took a roundabout route back to Harwich for the journey home on the Monday.  We were able to have a Behind the Scenes tour laid on just for us.  Walking through a Christmas Fantasy Land in May was somewhat surreal, but it was fascinating to see how the show is put together and best of all were the rides on the carousels with some of the party even going on twice!  The weather played along and all agreed it had been one of the most successful visits we have had.