Deal/Saint-Omer Charter Weekend - 22nd/23rd February 2020 The two Councils of Deal and Saint-Omer have jointly agreed a Climate and Energy Charter pledging to do all they can to pursue a more sustainable future. Alongside this, our local secondary school, the Goodwin Academy, is looking to forge stronger links with its opposite numbers in Saint-Omer,Notre-Dame de Sion school. Bringing all this together it is planned to hold a Charter Weekend in Saint-Omer on 22nd-23rd February when our two towns' mayors will sign the joint charter as part of a programme of events aimed at cementing and celebrating these partnerships. We have been advised by the organisers in Saint-Omer that the programme (which is subject to minor change) is broadly as shown below. Saturday 22nd February Before 10:30 am - Market on Place Foch for those who arrive early. 10:30 am -11:30 am - Speech by the Mayors of Deal and Saint-Omer and signature of the mayors convention for climate and energy - Speeches by the directors of the schools and signature of the partnership agreement - Exchange of official gift - Signature of the guest book 11:30 am - 12:30 pm -Drinks - Guided tour of the Theatre in English 12:45pm to 2:30 pm - Lunch at Claire Marais for the official delegation For the others, ie. the members of the Deal Twinning Society as well as the other people of Deal who will want to join us, and the members of the Saint Omer Twinning Committee who wish, the programme is as follows: 12:45 pm - Picnic Lunch at the Maison du Marais, offered by the Twinning Committee, with the possibility to visit the Maison du Marais museum for those who wish. 3:00pm - Visit to the Cathedral House Palace, near the Cathedral. Duration 50 minutes. Possibility to visit the Cathedral for those who wish. 5:00 pm - Visit to the newly-renovated train station at Saint Omer. - Dinner and overnight stay with families for members of the Deal Twinning Society. Sunday 23rd February In the morning - Retro 2CV ride with Les Echappées Belles, in Clair Marais. The price will be specified later depending on the number of participants.
COVID 19 Like every other organization, society, etc, we have been forced to curtail our activities for the foreseeable future. The first casualty was our A.G.M. in March. As there had been no submissions for new committee members a committee meeting was held (over the internet, of course) where all existing members agreed to retain their posts, except for the chair and vice chair, who agreed to change rolls. In addition, as it was unknown when monthly meetings would recommence, it was decided to suspend the yearly subscriptions for year 2020/2021 All subscriptions already received will be returned. Also, the upcoming weekend exchange visit to Saint Omer at the end of June has been cancelled, as has the planned day trip to France in July. So, until the emergency is over, there are no plans to arrange any future functions or meetings, but, of course, as soon as conditions permit, details of our future activities will be published. Meanwhile, here`s something to take your mind off things - Tongue Twisting the French Way........... ..........and another thing - Dingbats
2022 25 April 2022
Letter and invitation from the Mayor of deal Town
Dear All The Worshipful Mayor of Deal, Cllr Chris Turner, is excited to announce that English Heritage have given him the unique opportunity to take guests for a private tour of Deal Castle. This will be his last charity event for his Civic Year raising money for 2 local charities. He will invite his guests after the tour to join him in Deal Town Hall for a Fish and chip supper with a glass of wine or two.
He would love to see you there.
Please see the invitation and details attached. I would be grateful if you could pass it on to your friends and society members.
The Mayor would like to take this opportunity to send you his sincere thanks to you and your organisations for your support during his year as Mayor.
For details of how to apply for a place on the tour and the wine and fish supper click:- Walmer Castle
Tuesday 23rd August. 4.30pm, Deal Pier News about the Walking Tour of Deal offered to us by the History Project ...
This has now been arranged for Tuesday 23rd August. We'll meet at the pier at 4.30pm. It's a 2 hour tour, with a half-hour stop at The Ship Inn (should persuade a few of us!).
We need to know numbers, so if you'd like to come along, please let Sue know, by email on [email protected] as soon as possible.
Thursday 29th September - Friendship Day It was this day that saw the inaugural match on the newest (fifteenth) British Open golf course at the Royal Walmer and Kingsdown. Although not strictly a links course, being on top of a cliff rather than at sea level and set on chalk rather than sand, the on-shore winds did much to emphasise its Open status. This first international match, whilst not strictly a British Open stroke play match was between a team from TheDeal Twinners, representing England and les Stomer Jumelagers, representing France. The match was a one day, eighteen hole stroke play between the two eleven man teams. Honours were even with the English winning 6-5. The match started at 13.00 and the last player back in the locker room was at 18.00. Meanwhile, non playing partners and friends competed on the Walmer International Miniature Golf course and then attended Deal Town Hall for afternoon tea with the Mayor. Both teams reunited at the Royal Walmer and Kingsdown for an excellent carvery provided by the club. Formal speeches emphasising the harmony between the towns of Deal and Saint-Omer and indeed between France and Britain were followed by the prize giving The visitors left at 20.00 to catch the Shuttle back to France. It is hoped that this tournament can be repeated on a yearly basis, possibly alternating between England and France
2023
Golf day 21st September This was between AA St. Omer Golf Club and Walmer and Kingsdown Golf club The golfers traveled by car. If anyone would like to go for the day under their own steam, then let me know as I can then arrange for you to join the meal at the end of the match. Once again, our French friends are happy to entertain us while the golf is being played (just one thing it will be an early start!)
2024 Monday 11th March - Five members of the Saint-Omer Societie de Jumelage arrived in Deal to renew friendships anddo a little shopping. The day finished with a fantistic cream tea at Joy Visagies. The five French members were Claude and Nicole Baron, Paulette Leporcq, Claudine and Lilian
DEAL/SAINT OMER TWINNING SOCIETY
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held Wednesday 20 March 2024
Present: Sue Couchman (Chairman), Chris and Sue Borley, Barbara Brown, Christine Bruce, Joan Bull, Marlene Burnham, Ernie Couchman, John Cross, Christine and Grenville Everard, Christine Hall, David and Sandra Hall, Sheila and John Harris, Geraldine Munro-Brown, Jenny Noake, Margaret Stone, Gary and Joanne Strouts, Deborah Turner, Joy Visagie, Don Wade
Chairman’s Opening Remarks Sue welcomed everyone to the meeting. It had been hoped that the Mayor would be present for the meeting, but unfortunately due to a misunderstanding over dates he hadn’t made it.
Apologies Apologies had been received Brian Brown, Gill and John Kirby, Roger and Sheila Gray, Alan and Christine Clarke, Jean Clements.
Previous Minutes The minutes of last year’s AGM, held on Wednesday 8 March 2023 were agreed as an accurate record.
Matters Arising None.
Chairman’s Report Sue delivered her report on the past year – reproduced below:
I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT ONCE AGAIN THIS YEAR WE HAVE NOT HAD TO MISS ANY MEETINGS OR FUNCTIONS DUE TO COVID. THE MONTHLY MEETINGS HERE AT THE TOWN HALL HAVE SEEN SOME VERY INTERESTNG SPEAKERS AND ENTERTAINMENT BUT ALAS YET AGAIN HAVE BEEN POORLY ATTENDED BY THE MEMBERSHIP, I AM NOT SURE WHY THIS IS AND WOULD ASK THE MEMBERS TO PLEASE LET MYSELF OR THE COMMITTEE KNOW IF THERE ARE IMPROVEMENTS WE CAN MAKE TO OUR MEETINGS. WE WILL BE LOOKING OVER THE NEXT YEAR TO PERHAPS CHANGE SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES WE OFFER.
DURING THE LAST YEAR WE HAVE HAD ONE TRIP TO HAMPTON COURT FLOWER SHOW, WHICH WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY BUT PERHAPS TOO HOT FOR SOME OF US, STLL BETTER THAN WIND AND RAIN FOR SUCH AN EVENT. WE DID MANAGE TO FILL THE COACH BUT HAD TO RELY ON NON-MEMBERS TO DO SO, WITHOUT THESE EXTRA PEOPLE THE SOCIETY WOULD HAVE LOST MONEY ON THE COACH HIRE. APART FROM OUR USUAL MEETINGS WE DID HAVE A VERY ENJOYABLE CHRISTMAS QUIZ AT WALMER AND KINGSDOWN GOLF CLUB BUT UNFORTUNATELY ONCE AGAIN THIS WAS POORLY ATTENDED, FOR THOSE OF US WHO DID GO, IT WAS A VERY GOOD NIGHT WITH GOOD FOOD, CHEAP DRINKS AND OUR USUAL TALENTED QUIZ MASTER (WHO LUCKILY DID NOT SING THIS YEAR) I WOULD LIKE TO THANK DON FOR HIS HARD WORK WITH THE QUIZ AND I KNOW HE WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT AFTER ALL HIS EFFORTS SO FEW PEOPLE ATTENDED.
DURING APRIL LAST YEAR THE MAYOR FROM SAINT OMER DID VISIT THE TOWN WITH SOME OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, OUR MAYOR KINDLY ENTERTAINED THEM WITH LUNCH AT THE ROYAL HOTEL AND AFTERWARDS WE DID TAKE THEM ON A SHORT TOUR OF THE TOWN, THE VISIT WAS SHORT BUT ENJOYABLE. IN SEPTEMBER SOME OF US VISITED SAINT OMER FOR THEIR ANNUAL BEER FESTIVAL, TIME & TIDE WENT OVER TO CHECK OUT THE LOCAL BEERS AND OFFERED US PLACES ON THEIR COACH, UNFORTUNATELY ONLY 2 PEOPLE TOOK UP THE OFFER BUT A FURTHER 4 OF US DID ATTEND AND STAYED WITH OUR TWINNING FRIENDS FOR THE WEEKEND. ONCE AGAIN THE WEATHER WAS KIND TO US AND WE ALL HAD A GREAT TIME. WE ALSO DID A GOLF TRIP IN SEPTEMBER BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE WEATHER WAS NOT KIND TO US AND THE GOLFERS GOT VERY WET. WE DID NOT HAVE ANY OFFICIAL REPRESENTATION FROM THE SAINT OMER TWINNERS, HOWEVER SOME OF OUR GOOD FRENCH FRIENDS DID JOIN US. THIS SOCIETY IS HERE TO ENCOURGAGE LINKS WITH SAINT OMER BUT APART FROM A FEW SPORTING EVENTS (GOLF AND FOOTBALL) THERE IS VERY LITTLE HAPPENING AT PRESENT. THE CONTACT WE HAD WITH MY FRENCH COUNTERPART SEEMS TO HAVE STOPPED BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT THE DEAL TOWN COUNCIL ARE HAVING TALKS WITH THE COUNCIL IN SAINT OMER TO TRY AND REGENERATE THE TWINNING RELATIONSHIP.
LAST MONTH WE DID TRY VERY HARD TO ORGANISE AN ANNUAL MEAL HAVING BOOKED THE FOX FOR 21ST FEBRUARY THEY THEN LET US DOWN, NOT SURE WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THAT BUSINESS BUT WE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO RE-ORGANISE THIS EVENT HOWEVER WE ARE HOPING TO HAVE A LATE SPRING LUNCH SOON.
LOOKING AHEAD TO THIS NEW YEAR I HOPE WE WILL BE ABLE TO COMPLETE A FULL PROGRAM OF EVENTS BUT THIS WILL BE DEPENDENT ON HOW MANY OF THE MEMBERSHIP SUPPORT US. ONCE AGAIN, I MUST APOLOGISE TO YOU ALL FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO GIVE YOU THE USUAL PROGRAM CARD AT THIS MEETING, BUT WE ARE HAVING TO WAIT FOR THE COUNCIL TO CONFIRM THE DATES OF THE MEETINGS WE WISH TO HOLD HERE AT THE TOWN HALL, ONCE THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE YOU WILL ALL GET A FULL YEARS PROGRAM OF EVENTS.
I HOPE TO OFFER OUR MEMBERSHIP A GOOD VARIETY OF EVENTS OVER THE NEXT YEAR SO PLEASE TRY YOUR BEST TO COME ALONG WHENEVER YOU CAN AND IF YOU HAVE FRIENDS OR RELATIVES WHO WOULD ALSO LIKE TO JOIN US THEN PLEASE CONTACT EITHER MYSELF OR ANY OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS TO SORT OUT THEIR MEMBERSHIP.THE COST OF THE MEMBERSHIP REMAINS AT £10.00 SO I THINK YOU WOULD ALL AGREE THIS IS GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY ESPECIALLY IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL CLIMATE.
AS YOU KNOW WE ARE LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS FOR THE COMMITTEE AS DON WILL BE STEPPING DOWN THIS YEAR AFTER MANY YEARS OF LOYAL SERVICE I’M SURE YOU WILL ALL AGREE OVER THE YEARS HE HAS BEEN A GREAT ASSET TO THE SOCIETY. WE WILL THEREFORE, NEED A NEW SECRETARY.
I WOULD NOW LIKE TO THANK THE COMMITTEE FOR ALL THEIR HELP OVER THE LAST YEAR, DON WADE FOR STANDING IN AS SECRETARY AND PRODUCING ALL OUR NEWSLETTERS AND LOOKING AFTER THE WINE AT THE MEETINGS, JOY VISAGIE FOR ALL THE GREAT SPEAKERS SHE FINDS AND THE RAFFLES SHE ORGANISES FOR US (WHICH I HAVE TO SAY HELPS BOOST OUR FINANCES GREATLY), CHRISTINE HALL FOR ARRANGING CATERING, JENNY NOAKES WHO HAS COME ON BOARD TO HELP WITH CATERING, CHRSTINE BRUCE WHO IS ALWAYS HAPPY TO STAND IN WHEN NECESSARY AND FOR AUDITING OUR ACCOUNTS THIS YEAR, THEN LAST BUT NOT LEAST, MY HUSBAND ERNIE, WHO HAS BEEN OUR TREASURER
I DO HOPE THAT THE NEXT YEAR WILL BE BETTER THAN THE LAST, IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE MORE INVOLVEMENT FROM SAINT OMER AND MORE MEMBERS AT OUR EVENTS, THIS WILL PROBABLY BE MY LAST YEAR AS CHAIRMAN SO I WOULD LIKE IT TO BE ONE TO REMEMBER. WE NEED NEW FACES AND NEW IDEAS IN ORDER TO CARRY THIS SOCIETY FORWARD.
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR LOYAL MEMBERS, KEEP SAFE.
Treasurer’s Report Ernie reported that at the start of the year last March the balance of funds had stood at around £6,500 and at year-end they had fallen by some £287 to around £6,200 – still a healthy balance.
Detailed copies were made available for anyone wishing to see them.
Election of Officers, Committee, Sue Couchman was re-elected unopposed to serve as Chairman for the coming year.
Ernie Couchman was re-elected unopposed to serve as Treasurer for the coming year.
The following Committee members were elected unopposed: Christine Bruce, Christine Hall, Jenny Noake, Joy Visagie. Proposed by Sheila Harris, seconded by Marlene Burnham.
Appointment of Member to Verify Accounts John Harris was appointed as the member to verify the accounts for 2024/25.
Any Other Business Joan Bull mentioned that she had joined the Society having attended the Hampton Court trip as a guest and was very pleased to have done so.
Sue announced a few upcoming dates:
Wednesday 24th April: our next meeting when the speaker would be Peter Woodley talking about a Musical History of the BBC.
Wednesday 22nd May: we hoped to have a French wine tasting evening – details still to be finalised.
Tuesday 25th June: Lunch postponed from February, to be held at The Three Compasses – details to follow.
There was a discussion about the general level of disappointment about the little or no contact we were getting from the French end of the twinning arrangement. It was resolved to further encourage the Town Council to reinvigorate these activities – proposed by Deborah Turner, seconded by Marlene Burnham.
Next Meeting Date to be advised once we are able to book dates with the Town Council.
Close The meeting closed at 7.40pm
Anniversary of Opening of Channel Tunnel, 6th May 1994 30 year Anniversary of the opening of the Channel Tunnel Cross the Channel and celebrate on May 4 !
East Kent for Europe is planning to celebrate this by reciprocal* day return visits through the Channel tunnel.
We see this as an opportunity to make a media splash on May 6 (the actual anniversary date) about our cross-Channel links, and highlight the benefits that the Channel tunnel has given us. So are you free to join us on May 4, crossing the Channel by Shuttle, with posters about those benefits ?!
In Calais, which used to receive more English tourists, they are sad that most traffic from England just bypasses the town. So, they are keen to showcase what they can offer to tourists: Large sandy beaches for family picnics A nearby skate park, and another for BMX A lace museum with fine chronology of fashion Musee de Beaux Arts, fine sea-scape paintings and also landscape photos with music Bleriot memorial site, for views across the channel The Dragon – a metal monster to frighten the holiday crowds
We think it would be good if some representatives from each Kent town that is twinned to a northern French town can be present, so that we can wave a banner for twinning links between Kent and France
The cheapest way to travel is in a full private car (about £50 each for car of 4 passengers) So please let us know early if you intend to come on May 4 and can offer seats in your car. You would need to manage your own booking, aiming to leave at 8 am for return 8 pm by Shuttle, which has only 30 mins check in wait and 30 mins for the crossing.
* reciprocal will not be on this occasion as many French do not have passports to come, because they use their Ids for travel in EU