Horndean Parish Twinning Association (established 1990)
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What We Do - Aims and Function of the Association
Aims of the Association
- To promote and foster friendship and understanding between the people of the parish of Horndean, in the county of Hampshire and those of the town of Aubergenville, Yvelines, France.
- To encourage visits by individuals and groups to and from the twinned towns, particularly by children and young people, and the development of personal contacts, and by so doing broaden the mutual understanding of the culture, recreational, educational and commercial activities of the linked communities.
- To organise fund raising activities to foster the aims of the Association.
What really happens in a Twinning Association?
The main aim of the Association is to encourage visits of individuals and groups to and from the twin towns and by doing so, those involved learn about and take part in the culture and lives of people in the other community.
Getting there is achieved by either arranging transport etc. for a party to travel to France or enabling a local organisation to take a group of its members over. Once in Aubergenville members are accommodated in the homes of local families. Sometimes journeys, especially those involving young people, are part financed by the Association.
Where does the Twinning Association get it's money from to help with visits?
Well first of all it does not come from the Tax Payer!
All the money that the Association spends is raised from fund raising events and a very small membership fee.
Sometimes, and it is only sometimes, we are able to make a claim from Brussels if we are entertaining visitors from France but we must fulfil a strict programme laid down by the commissioners.
So what can I expect when I arrive in Aubergenville?
Arrival is usually at the Town Hall where we are met by members of the local Twinning committee. There is always a big welcome (especially if you are recognised from a previous visit), there are snacks and of course a welcome drink. Everyone in the party is introduced to their host family, pick up their bags and off they go to their host's home.
After that it very much depends on the nature of the visit. Usually there is not much the first day as it is often early evening before we arrive but the next day(s) will fall into line with a programme drawn up by the local Twinning Committee.
The programme may include a visit to a concert, their spring fair or Aubergenville's Christmas Market. There is often spare time and many members usually find themselves in Paris or Versailles with their hosts fairly soon.
At the end of the visit everyone meets again at the town hall for the typical French "good-bye" which can take a lot longer than you would imagine. This is, of course, a typical "official" visit.
Many members after their first or second visit have established a firm and friendly relationship with a family and may well stay with them when next they visit. Some members will then make individual private visits on their own accord after that. When their French host visit Horndean members often wish to return the excellent hospitality received in France.
If you would like to know in more detail about becoming a member of the
Horndean Parish Twinning Association then please contact us
by sending an email to: twinning@horndean.net