Saturday 12th June 2010
Warminster – Flers. The Twinning Today
Several organisations in Warminster now have links with Flers.
Warminster folk have learned or improved their French.
Warminster-Flers Twinning Association itself currently has almost 50 members. The Town Council and Lions are currently group members; others who have participated in exchange visits include the Firemen, Choirs, Rotary Club, Round Table, Anglers and Kingdown School.
Many long-standing and true friendships have been forged over the years, many through the contact with their Flers counterparts – on the other hand, some get by happily with sign language!
Warminster-Flers Association
Established by Charter 1973.
The Twinning began as an idea born in France. The town of Flers in Normandy was liberated by the British 11th Armoured Division in August 1944.
Towards the end of the 1960s, Jean Brisset and Father Amiard, both of Flers, confirmed this by making inquiries in London. Eventually some British Old Comrades Association members with connections with the 11th Armoured Division were invited by the Ancient Combattants of Flers (a serviceman’s association) to join in the celebrations to commemorate the 1945 victory. These were held in Flers during the weekend 8-10 May 1970.
It was a general wish that the British links with Flers should be strengthened, and because Warminster had past connections with the 11th Armoured Division, an invitation was sent to Warminster Town Council to visit Flers to discuss “twinning’ the two towns. This meeting took place in March 1972. After a town meeting in Warminster and a visit by the Flerians later in the year, the idea began to take shape. So it was that on the 13th of May 1973 the Twinning Charter was signed in Flers and on the 1st of July of that year the ceremony was repeated in Warminster.
The Association has a President, Edward Moore, assisted by a committee which regularly meets. With regard to the exchange visits, the arrangement is that one year we travel to Flers by coach and cars for a weekend, usually around the end of April or beginning of May. The following year the Flerians come to us and so on. The Association raises its funds by means of a subscription fee, and social events. This money covers the costs of the French guests’ entertainment at the social function organised for them during the weekend when they visit Warminster.
Apart from that, the rest of the weekend is free for you and your French friends to relax together, and perhaps visit one of the local places of interest.
The Association of our two towns has existed now for thirty-four years; it has been an extremely happy union – and we hope that you will consider joining us.
The annual subscription at present is £10 per person or £15 per family.
Activities include:
> Exchange Visits.
> Family Friendships.
> Social Events – Soirees.
> Anglo-French Understanding.
When the Warminster-Flers Twinning Association was inaugurated, its aims were laid down as follows:-
1 To provide the basis of personal friendships between individuals and families in the two towns and districts, and to encourage exchange visits.
2 To foster close ties between schools, societies, companies and other organised groups in the two towns and their districts in order to increase opportunities for participation in the fields of education, culture, sports and pastimes, commerce, tourism and other mutual interests.
3 To encourage the study of the French and English languages as a means of improving communication between people.
Executive And Committee Members 2009-2010
President: Edward Moore.
Vice President: Jeff Allen.
Chairman: Trish Barker.
Secretary: Heather Yates.
Associate Secretary: Anthony Johnson.
Treasurer: Nick Yates.
Membership And Accommodation Sec.: Judy Beer.
Newsletter Editor And Press Officer: Judy Beer.
Committee Members:
Christine Bartholomew.
Pat Firth.
Ingrid Marsden.
If you are interested in joining the Twinning Association please contact one of the following:
Heather Yates, Secretary, 01985 213530.
Accommodation, Judy Beer, 01985 216629.
Chairman, Trish Barker: 01985 219479.
