St Germans & District Twinning Association
History of our twinning
EARLY DAYS 1990 & 1991
The first glimmerings of an international relationship was made in 1985 when it was suggested that St Germans Parish twin with St Germain a suburb of Paris It was soon realised that the two communities were so different in size that no meaningful relationship was possible and the idea was quickly dropped but not before we had been entered into the local government address book so that we began to receive good information.
Nothing further happened until 1990 when Plouguerneau began seeking a UK twin. Torpoint seemed an obvious target as there had been friendly rivalry between the yacht clubs of the two towns and races from Torpoint to Plouguerneau for many years so sailing friendships had developed. However Torpoint already had a twin in France ie Benodet where the twinning was primarily based on the secondary schools .
So Plouguerneau looked at the region near Torpoint and advised by David England a keen sailor and member of the Torpoint Mosquito Yacht Club decide to look in detail at St Germans Parish. David's French teacher was a willing partner in the enterprise and in February 1990 a small party of Bretons arrived to be entertained in Mary Wheeler's garden and on the 18th were given lunch funded by District Councillor Ron Daniel and Parish Chairman Yvonne Byles. We recall that Roast beef was on the menu, a test of the breton resolve at this the time of the madcow disease !! The visitors were given a tour of our parish and its important buidings especially the churches and pubs.
The following month, on the 16th April , Ron & Jen Daniel went as envoys of the Parish Council to Plouguerneau to meet with civic dignatories and significant citizens. Finding the natives friendly they suggested more contacts and reported that Maire Le Ven would be visiting Plymouth in June and that parishioners who were interested were invited to Plouguereau in September as spectators to the celebrations of the Prix d'Europe won in 1990 by Plouguerneau
The local interest of St.Germans Parish, was tested when Vice Chairman Tony Lister ( Mrs Byles was in Australia) invited councillors and others to form a steering committee.
Mary Wheeler was very energetic in securing a large number of folk to attend the inaugural meetig which decided to form an Association.. and elected a committee. Don Larter was appointed chairman and Tony Lister and Ron Daniel became the Parish representatives
On 25th February 1991 following a proposal by Cllr Daniel seconded by Cllr Elliot it was resolved that St Germans Parish Council support the Twinning link and the clerk was instructed to sign the appropriate LIGB papers
May 1991 Yvonne Byles still chairman but Cllr lister resigns fron steering group and is replaced by Angela Bond
July 29th it was agreed that a Twinning Charter be signed on April 25-26 1992 with an informal visit to Plouguerneau this October to discuss arrangements.
October 1991 Angela Bond resigned and is replaced by Cllr Mctaggart
File below shows the very first news sheet and the programme for the 1991 visit of our Breton friends
1990_news_sheet.pdf | |
File Size: | 1224 kb |
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