Willingham by Stow near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire
St. Helens Church at Willingham by Stow near Gainsborough, Lincolnshire Willingham by Stow near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire

WILLINGHAM TWINNING ASSOCIATION

Willingham by Stow has taken the opportunity to broaden its cultural, linguistic and educational assets by forming a twinning link with the village of Moyenneville in France. Chosen for its many similarities which include its population and rural situation the link has slowly developed since its inauguration in 2000.

Welcome speeches 2009

Forties night
Pictures from 2009 Everyone gets to play a bell !
A (very) short video Pictures from the 2008 trip to France
Our local bellringers Fund raising at the Gameshow night
 
 
Twinning visit 2007
 
Several exchanges of hospitality over the past few years have seen a deepening friendship which has resulted in many villagers forming long term relationships.
A small committee on each side of the link maintain the continuity and organisational planning of the partnership. Both are members of their respective national twinning associations. This provides guidance and information as well as helping with financial grants for visits.

The idea of hosting a French family or staying in the home of someone you have never met before can be daunting, but those who have taken part have invariably enjoyed the experience and gained a mutual understanding of what twinning is all about.

Last year it was our turn to visit the French. A group of 46 including 17 children and teenagers travelled by coach for the weekend of 4-7th April.

It turned out to be a showery and cool spring weekend but nothing daunted our spirits and enthusiasm. The hospitality was excellent. Several new families took part in the trip and came back having made new friendships and holding wonderful memories.

After the first evening of settling in, the programme of events included on the Saturday, a walking tour of the village highlights, an afternoon of local sports and an evening of entertainment. This was complimented with wonderful meals, alfresco and BBQ style. On the Sunday many of the groups youngsters visited “grimp a l’arb” and experienced tree climbing! French style. Visits also were made to discover the delights of the village of Pierrefonds and to the history shown at the wagon de l’armistice. Following another wonderful meal in the evening the group returned home on Monday. 

This year we welcomed a party of 50 visitors in July to Willingham. This included a small party from the Czech Republic along with our French friends, to explore the possibilities of expanding our horizons into developing a possible three way exchange of twinning ideals. This is still in the early stages but we are hoping to have an exploratory visit to a small town called Postrelmov next year. The weekend was blessed with hot sunny weather and the programme of events enjoyed by all. At the welcome meeting in the village hall we were entertained by the village hand bell ringers. A visit to Lincoln including a boat trip on the Brayford Belle followed by a walk at the Whisby Nature Reserve gave the first day of the weekend a local feel. The Sunday with the sun still shining, was the ideal weather for a fun packed afternoon and BBQ held on the village playing field.

We hope to encourage new people from the community to join us and experience first hand, the fundamentals of twinning. If you would like to consider hosting or taking part in the future we will be pleased to hear from you.

The AGM of the Association will be held on September 4th in the village hall.
Sadly, since the visit this July, our chairman Paul Andrews has died. Our memories and the involvement he had with our organisation will live on.

 
Pictures from the 2007 visit to Willingham provided by Sam Hunt
Pictures from the 2008 visit to France. Thank you if you donated one

 

Secretary Barbara Bussey Contact
The Band
Brownies
Chapel
Church
Cricket
Diary
Doctor
Entertainers
Fox & Hounds
Friendship
Golf Society
Half Moon
History Society
Horticultural
Parish Council
Playing Field
Scout Group
Table Tennis
Twinning
Village Hall
W.I.

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