8th March 2012

LYME REGIS: Plans to formalise Barfleur twinning

Association hopes to cement French friendship in early summer

By Philip Evans

LYME Regis twinners are hoping to formalise their “jumilage” with the Normandy fishing port of Barfleur in the early summer.

Chairman John Dover told the annual meeting of the Lyme Regis-Barfleur Twinning Association at the Guildhall, that they hoped the ceremony could be held in Barfleur over the weekend of May 26th-27th but this would depend whether the mayor and other civic dignatories would be available having considered their other commitments to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and Olympic Torch relay.

If it was not possible, the official visit to Barfleur would be put back to 2013. However, a party from Barfleur was planning to visit Lyme in the late summer, possibly over the “Candles On The Cobb” weekend, with a further formal visit involving the mayor and other Barfleur dignatories later in the year.

Before the meeting started, the occasion was given a true Gallic flavour with the serving of pate and brie and French wine. Dorset and Normady flags were also disp-layed in the Guildhall.

Mr Dover gave a resume on the progress made following their exploratory meeting in August 2010, since when nine committee meetings had been held, two visits to Barfleur taken place and the hosting of one visit from “our friends” in Barfleur.

“During the same timeframe the Barfleurais have been running to a similar timsescale to drive things forward at their end,” he said.

Regarding future events, Mr Dover said they saw opportunities to be involved in a number of events and activities, including the fossil festival, a French-English food market in the shelters, a three-way football tournament between Lyme Regis FC, Cruelly (Lyme’s twin club) and Barfleur, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee parade and celebrations, a possible Bastille Day visit to Barfleur and a visit to the Barfleur Regatta in mid-August.

Mr Dover said they were very keen to involve young people in their activities and a French teacher would be visiting St Michael’s Primary School in Lyme Regis in July. They had also received a request to find a young person in Lyme to liaise with a 15-year-old boy in Barfleur.

On the fundraising front, Mr Dover said they were looking to boost their funds by organising such events as boot and table top sales, a quiz evening, stalls at other events, barbeques, afternoon teas, a French evening and family/fossil walks.

Treasurer Tony Norman reported income of £580, including membership fees and a grant of £300 from Lyme Regis Town Council, and expenditure of £278.31, £175 of which was spent on entertaining the delegation from Barfleur, leaving a balance of £360.69.

Mr Norman reported the association’s first corporate member – Philip Evans Media.

Officers elected: President – the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Councillor Sally Holman; chairman – John Dover; vice-chairman – Sheila Poupard; treasurer – Tony Norman; secretary – Mike Lewis. Committee members – Ron Michael, Jan Dover and Richard Horobin. Town council representatives – councillors Chris Clipson and Rikey Austin.

The meeting was attended by around 30 members, prospective members and guests, including the mayor.

PICTURE: SANTÉ! Chairman John Dover and members of the Lyme Regis-Barfleur Twinning Association drink a toast to the Barfleurais at their annual meeting. Photo by Richard Horobin

LYME REGIS: Plans to formalise Barfleur twinning

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