4th February 2010

Twinning circle with the Swiss on a roll!

By Huw Hennessy

FOLLOWING the success of last year’s visit to Sidmouth by visitors from Le Locle, its twin town in Switzerland, the Twinning Circle is planning “fuller and closer contact” between the two communities.

The Swiss party of 22 stayed for a week in Sidmouth last October and visited many of the area’s beauty spots as well as enjoying their hosts’ friendship and hospitality. The town council made a grant of £2,000 towards the visit, supplemented by a further £2,500, which the twinning circle raised.

Jonathan Pearce, the circle’s secretary, reported back to the town council, highlighting the close bond between the two communities, as well as outlining plans for the future.

Mr Pearce said: “Well over 100 people in Sidmouth were involved in the preparatory work. In the neighbourhood, visits were made to the Donkey Sanctuary, the Seaton Tramway, Pecorama, and Exeter Cathedral.

"Sightseeing was only one element, there was a barn dance (with a French-speaking caller), a skittles evening at the Blue Ball Inn, a Devonshire cream tea, and a memorable civic dinner at the Knowle provided by the council.

“Except for the shorter visit by the Vice-President of the Commune of Le Locle, who stayed at the Riviera as guest of the council, the visitors were accommodated in the homes of 12 local families.

“Placement, arranged with great care, seems to have been unusually successful.

“Several host couples are to visit Le Locle in the coming year on personal invitation from their recent guests here.

“The circle also received a very welcome grant of £400 from the district council, through the good offices of Councillor Stuart Hughes, which was used to fund the visit to Exeter and the Devon cream tea.

“Taking the programme as a whole, and the Swiss response to it, we can reasonably judge the visit to have been a great success.

“Its planning was greatly helped by the time and advice which the town clerk provided, and we benefited from substantial support from council members in attending events in the programme.

“Councillors will have noted for themselves the exceptionally open and friendly spirit shown by the visitors. That this was mutual was borne out at the farewell early on the Saturday.

“All the host families and all but two of the circle committee were present to see the Swiss off.

“We feel sure that any wish on our part for further contact with Le Locle will be reciprocated, as there was an evident Swiss desire for fuller and closer contact with Sidmouth.

“The circle’s chairman and I take the view that a biennial visit of a small party in one direction with one in the other direction two years later is no more than a starting point. Also, wider developments should be possible now that travel costs have markedly fallen.

“We propose, therefore, in the course of the next year or so, to explore both here and in Le Locle the scope for visits by activity groups where the same activity functions in both communities.

“The circle would provide any necessary support or advice on the timing and content of visits that might arise.

“We propose to retain the circle’s credit balance (in excess of £2,000), using a portion of it to support or plan other group exchanges and, if appropriate, organise joint fundraising.

“The chairman and I expect to visit Le Locle this June and the council’s representatives on the circle committee will be consulted and kept informed. We believe our proposal has serious possibilities”.

Sidmouth Twinning Circle will hold their 2010 annual general meeting on Wednesday, April 14th.

New members are welcomed; if you are interested in joining or would like to plan a visit to Le Locle for your club or society, please telephone John Pearce on 01395 514906.

PICTURE: Sidmouth Town Council chairman Peter Sullivan, with the Mayor of Le Locle, Charles Haesler, and his wife Mme Haesler

Twinning circle with the Swiss on a roll!

Twinning circle with the Swiss on a roll!

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