AGM 18th October 2019

Twenty one members attended the Annual General Meeting of the Twinning Club on Friday, 18th October in the Good News  Centre at St John's Church in the Walks, which has become our regular meeting venue.  The Chairman, Philip Mole, welcomed the ex officio President of the Club, Councillor Geoff Hipperson and Mayoress, Rose Hipperson to the meeting.  The AGM then proceeded with reports from the Chairman, who also reported on the exchange with Emmerich in his capacity as Exchange Secretary, and the Treasurer, Kate Sayer, who said that the state of the finances warranted her recommending that the subscription remain at £15 per annum.  The appointment of John Hodson as honorary auditor was unanimously approved.  Some amendments to the Constitution, mainly concerning structure of the committee, were also approved.  Elections to the Committee followed.  Three people - Paul and Teresa Brandon and Thomas Smith - had decided to stand down, but two others - Peter Eyre and Kate Mould - had agreed to stand for re-election, having both served three years on the committee, and both were re-elected.  Officers - Chairman, Philip Mole, Treasurer, Kate Sayer and Secretary, Penny Dossetor - were all re-elected.  The Mayor then addressed the meeting, expressing his pleasure at finding he was president of a cheerful and prudent organisation, commending the link with Emmerich and saying that he hoped to take part in Club activities once his term of office was over.  For a copy of the Minutes, including the Chairman's report, please click here.

After the business meeting everyone enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by caterer, Sarah Shapeero-Lown, while exercising their brains with a pictogram quiz devised by Kate Mould.

Visit to Emmerich 24th 27th May 2019

The group visiting Emmerich this year was rather smaller than usual and rendered even smaller by several people having to withdraw because of illness.  However, the sixteen people who did travel made up in enthusiasm for their lack of numbers.  Most of the party chose to fly from Stansted to Weeze, and travel on to Emmerich by car or taxi.  Ryan Air lived up to its reputation for punctuality (and not to that for sometimes cancelling flights at short notice) and both journeys went very smoothly.  We arrived at around 4.30pm on the Friday and left at 9.40pm on the Monday evening.  Friday evening, Saturday and Monday were free to spend with our hosts, but on Sunday the Emmerich club arranged a guided tour of Emmerich, followed by a lunch.  Before embarking on the tour the King's Lynn chairman, Philip Mole, presented a donaton of 350€  to Marianne Giltjes and Mechtild Müller from the Aldegundis Mittagstisch - equivalent to our Foodbank.  The ladies were very grateful, as they rely on donations and told us that they would be going shopping the following week for groceries to top up their food store for people in need. 

The town tour was very interesting.  Nearly all the buildings in Emmerich date from the end of the Second World War, as the town was bombed so badly after the Arnhem disaster.  However, the town has a long history, much of it associated with its position on the Rhine and its consequent function as a trading post and distribution centre, and we learned some fascinating facts.

The lunch was held in a restaurant just out of town in an equestrian park.  We dined in the bright and airy conservatory and enjoyed an excellent buffet.  Short speeches were made by Emmerich Chairman, Brita Weber, the Mayor of Emmerich, Peter Hinze (who had to leave early as he was overseeing a polling station for the European Parliament election0 and King's Lynn Chairman, Philip Mole.  Before the meal some schoolchildren presented each guest with a packet of biscuits baked by them as part of a school emterprise.

As always the visit seemed to end almost before it had begun, but everyone came away feeling that the friendship between our two towns was as strong as ever.  Now we need some more people to carry on the partnership and build on the last 40 years.

The pictures below show Philip Mole, Brita Weber and Peter Hinze posing before the lunch, and a group of guests and hosts witnesing the presentation to the Mittagstisch representatives,

      

Pancake Supper 5th March 2019

Twenty one people enjoyed a convivial Pancake supper on Shrove Tuesday in the Good News Centre at St John's Church. We tucked into a two course meal of savoury and sweet pancakes followed by tea or coffee, all provided by our excellent caterer, Sarah Shapeero-Lown.  We discussed our forthcoming visit to Emmerich, when most people will be flying from Stansted to Weeze, with several of us being met by a coach from Emmerich.  Chairman, Philip Mole, gave the sad news that long-standing member, David Harris, had died recently and Penny Dossetor promised to pass on everyone's condolences and best wishes to Viv Harris who was the Club's secretary for many years.  David's funeral will be held at Mintlyn Crematorium on Wednesday, 20th March, at 2.30pm.