LATEST NEWS

There are some exciting events planned for 2009. For further details, see Activites and events

Why not join us - annual subscription only £5

Annual subscriptions are due on 1 January 2009 for existing members.

For those thinking of joining, there has never been a better time.

To join, see How to contact us and join

40th Anniversary Celebrations - DVD now available

Now available, a 2 DVD box set of the 40th Anniversary Civic Reception and the Concert at Felsted School . Price £10.00 (plus £3.00 postage and packing outside Braintree); a great souvenir and record of this memorable event.

Also available separately at £5.00 (plus £3.00 postage and packing outside Braintree).

To order, please send cheque payable to Braintree Twinning Association, to 47 Cressing Road, Braintree CM7 3PP.

Braintree is a vibrant town situated in north east Essex close to many places of interest and accessible to fine countryside, offering excellent facilities and many activities to join in (see enjoy Braintree District).

Braintree's twin town is Pierrefitte -sur-Seine, near Paris and there is an active town twinning assocation which celebrated its 40th anniversay last year.

The Contract of Friendship between Braintree and Pierrefitte-sur-Seine was signed on 14 July 1967 in the Hotel de Ville, Pierrefitte. The main aim was to foster friendship and exchanges of all kinds between the two towns. This has involved many varying groups over the years including football teams, tennis, dancers, artists and the chess and stamp clubs. Private exchanges between individuals are always encouraged and a general visit in each direction is organised each year. This is when anyone who is interested can take part and will be accommodated with a “host” family.

Visits

Each year we try to organise a visit in each direction for those who are not necessarily part of a club or organisation. These have tended to be on the basis of Pierrefitte coming to Braintree in late April/early May with a return visit to Pierrefitte often in mid September, although this has varied. These visits are usually from Thursday to Sunday.

Not being able to speak French may seem to be a bar to participating in these exchanges but has usually proved not to be. The weekends are programmed so that the greater part of the time is spent with the whole group together. For more details about these visits see the reports of the events of the last three years.

Hosting

The spirit of twinning is that visitors to either town stay with their “hosts” in their own homes rather than in hotel or other communal accommodation. This means that one can experience the way of life of England or France at first hand and get to know your hosts and their families. Hosts are asked to provide bed and breakfast at their own expense and sometimes an evening meal on the day of arrival. A programme of events for the weekend is planned and hosts are able to take part in as much or as little as they wish or are able. It is usual that when visiting the other country, the guest take a small present to give to their hosts as appreciation of their hospitality.

Funding

The Braintree Twinning Association, although initially set up and financed by the Braintree District Council, is now independent and self financing. This finance is raised by an annual subscription to members – currently £5.00 per individual and fund raising events.

Fund raising includes social events during the years, such as a BBQ and often the cheese and wine evening held during the French visit. Two other good sources of funds have been tombolas held at the Bocking May Fair and the late night shopping evening at Braintree Museum. We have also been fortunate to have had some donations for specific reasons from time to time.

Funding of visits to Braintree

Costs involved in entertaining our French visitors are paid from Association funds – this is the reason we raise funds and we endeavour to keep administration cost to the minimum. Although the cost of bed and breakfast accommodation is met by the hosts, all entrance fees and meals elsewhere are paid for and the hosts are asked only to pay for themselves if they wish to participate. We never expect the French to pay for anything themselves during their visit and this is the same for us when we visit Pierrefitte. Of course there are often occasions when the visitors will treat their hosts to a drink or some other small expense.