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Dear Twinners,
The summer is fast vanishing and with it the various activities which have kept us busy during the sunny days and long evenings.
We had a most enjoyable few days with our French friends at the end of May; a boules and barbecue evening ended with fierce competition by torchlight; and a wonderful day in Beaulieu and Buckler’s Hard was followed by
an excellent meal at The Folly Wine Bar. Although there were fewer Barentinois than usual, we hope they all enjoyed themselves. We had glorious weather, which always helps to promote cheerful feelings. We were given an acer tree which has been planted in a safe place near the Rose Room where it can be safeguarded. There is also a plaque on it. Do have a look at it when you are in town.
We had a very enjoyable car treasure hunt also in May, organized by Phil and Alex Chapman, which tested our intelligence quite severely, but which ended very harmoniously at The Red Lion at Chalton.
We held a Bring and Buy Sale in The Square early in July, at which we made a profit of just over £50, not as much as we had hoped, but the day proved to be a rather quiet one in the town centre - too many school fetes and other activities, I suspect.
A few days later we held a successful skittles evening, and enjoyed the drive to Walderton in the daylight. It was a very congenial evening, and one of our Barentin families was able to join us as well, which was an unexpected delight.
We have had a special meeting with the Mayor of Barentin to talk to him about some of the problems that have developed with the twinning committee in Barentin, and felt that we understood rather better what had taken place.
We have just returned from our biennial visit to Warendorf, which as usual was extremely enjoyable, and about which there will be more in the next Newsletter. Our hosts looked after us with their usual kindness, and we discovered new and interesting places in the vicinity, as well as enjoying the horses for which Warendorf is famed at the Symphonie der Hengste and at the procession through the streets. The weather was very kind to us as well for most of our stay, and we look forward to renewing our friendships next year when we are their hosts. We are already thinking of places to visit with the Warendorfers.

Future plans include a Visit to Ballard’s Brewery in Rogate on Thursday, 1^st October. This is an evening visit, lasting about 2 hours. Those going should meet at the brewery at around 7.00p.m. for a 7.30p.m.
start to the tour. As well as a tour of the brewery (about an hour long) there is unlimited (!) sampling available.
The cost is £5.50 a head. We need a group of between 12 and 30 people in order for this to go ahead. So, if you are interested in going along, please complete and return the appropriate slip at the end of this Newsletter by 15^th September at the latest. Please note that sensible, closed-in shoes must be worn, as the floor may be wet in places, and warm clothing is advisable.

The day before the visit to Ballard’s on Wednesday, 30^th September we shall hold another Quiz Evening at The Half Moon, Sheet. The cost is £9 per person and includes a ploughman’s supper. When you return your slip to apply to come you must state which sort of ploughman’s you require. The choice is cheese, ham or mackerel with salad. We shall require teams of six, so you may wish to invite others to make up a team, even if they are not (yet!) twinning members. We have also invited Haslemere and Farnham Twinning Associations to send a team along if possible. If you came last year you will remember what a fun evening we had.

Then in November, on Friday, 13^th, we are planning another skittles evening. This time the event will be held in Petersfield at The Petersfield Social Club next to St. Laurence’s Church in Station Road.
We thought a local venue might encourage those of you who would like to join us, but who do not have transport to travel any distance. We shall meet at 7.00p.m. for a 7.30p.m. start. There is parking at the Club, as well as a bar. The room is an attractive one and much bigger than the one at Walderton. The cost will be £7.50 per person      and includes a fish and chip supper. Do return the appropriate slip. Again, feel free to invite friends who may not have attended twinning events previously. We shall have to limit numbers to 36-40 to ensure that everyone gets a chance of bowling more than once. Please note: because the Club is a private members’ club, in order to comply with the law, we have to submit the names of those attending TWO weeks before the evening, so don’t leave it to the last minute to join in; otherwise, I am afraid you will be disappointed.

The Lions Club will be holding their annual Charity Quiz at the Town Hall on 30^th October (time not yet known but probably 7.00 for 7.30p.m.) The Association has entered one or more teams (of six people) several times in the recent past. If you would like to join in one of these teams on that date, please complete and return to the Secretary the relevant tear-off slip. We have not yet been notified of the cost but it is usually about £8 -£9 and the evening is fun and in aid of several good causes.
Looking ahead to 2010, we shall have another Bring and Buy Sale at the Pop-In Club in February and we hope to hold another Supper at The Masonic Hall in March. We shall, of course, let you have details of these events nearer the time.
As you can see, there are plenty of things in which you can get involved. If you have not tried much so far, do come and join us and see how much fun twinning can be. You don’t have to be fluent in French or German to be able to enjoy the friendship that is part of twinning.
If you have any ideas of possible events that we have not tried, please do not hesitate to get in touch with one of the members of the committee. It is always useful to have other suggestions to consider.
         Meanwhile, do enjoy what is left of the summer.
With best wishes,
Your Chairman,
Gill Clarke



To see the May 2009 Newsletter click on this link

To see the February 2009 Newsletter click on this link

To see the November 2008 Newsletter click on this link

To see the August 2008 Newsletter click on this link

To see the May 2008 Newsletter click on this link