We are delighted that our friends from Gien will be returning to Malmesbury in the Summer. The dates for the visit have just been confirmed as Thursday 20 – Tuesday 25 July (the weekend before WOMAD).
We are now busy planning a programme for the long weekend. Always a pleasant activity as we are so spoilt for choice in this lovely area in which we live. Past visits have included Bath, Cirencester, Dyrham Park, Stourhead, Caen Locks and Wadworth Brewery, as well as, of course, exploring Malmesbury itself.
It looks as though we may have a larger group than usual this year. When we visited Gien last July we were also a healthy sized group with at least five new ‘recruits’ I think it is a reflection of people’s willingness, and perhaps need ,to resume travelling. It was, for me, relief to be across the channel and being driven down through France towards the Loire and to be with old friends.
We may have as many as 34, including some new and old friends and the Mayor of Gien (on his first visit to Malmesbury)
He gave us a very warm welcome last July with a bag of Gien ‘goodies’ (including some of the famous ‘Faience de Gien’) when we presented our Twenty-year Anniversary present (two years late because of Covid) of an embroidery of Malmesbury, designed and made by the Malmesbury Textile Group.
We are very much looking forward to returning the hospitality we experienced.
Talking of hospitality, we will need to find some extra hosts to help accommodate the larger numbers. So if you have a spare room you may like to consider having a French visitor(s) to stay for a few days.
Hosts are always invited to participate in outings and events and encouraged to share transport and hospitality.
We always try to match host and guests, particularly in terms of language, so please don’t worry if your French is a little rusty (or even non-existent).
If you would like to know more about being a host, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Julia Bowen: Chair: Malmesbury and district Twinning Association This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Visit to Niebull September 2023 - 70 Year Celebration 2024
Malmesbury Twinning Association have been invited to take a group from Malmesbury to our Twin Town of Niebull from Thursday 7 - Tuesday 12 September
The group will be hosted by members of the Niebull Twinning group and will enjoy a programme of visits and hospitality. In the past this has included Flensburg, Schleswig, the Emil Nolde museum and a trip over the border into Denmark.
The only cost incurred will be the travel (flight from Heathrow and coaches).
Niebull has been twinned with Malmesbury since 1976 ,but the strong connection between the two towns goes back to 1954, when the first Youth Exchange took place.
Next year we will be celebrating 70 years of that connection and plans are in place for a brochure covering the 70 years of exchanges and a special event hosted by Twinning.
We would love to hear from anyone who has been involved in any exchange (particularly the earlier ones) and have memories and photos to share with us.
If you would like to know more about the upcoming visit or have something to tell us about your previous visit please contact us on; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For more information about Malmesbury and district Twinning Association please visit our website; www.malmesburytwinning.co.uk
