News
Summer Lunch in the Garden
7 August 2011, 12.00 noon - 3.00pm
Once again Malcolm Begley kindly invites us to his home and gardens at Penny Mill Farm, Gurney Slade
Rodney Goodall
During the recent twinning weekend in Frome, Rainer Braulick, Deputy Mayor of Murrhardt paid tribute to Rodney Goodall, a long-term supporter of twinning, who died on 2 June 2011. At Rainer's request he, accompanied by Rodney's partner Ursula and a few Murrhardter and Frome friends, to pay his respects to Rodney. They spent a short time in the Lady Chapel, where the casket of his ashes lie awaiting interment. Rainer placed a cushion of flowers in Rodney's favourite colours before the casket and said a few words.
Rodney was instrumental in the twinning link with Murrhardt. In 1980, as a member of the Frome/Château-Gontier twinning association, he was aware of the French town's wish that we should complete the three-way link. During a family holiday nearby, they made an impromptu visit to Murrhardt and met Martin Pfender, beginning an enduring friendship. On his return, his report to the twinning committee prompted the start of links between the two towns. He continued his interest in the partnership, last visiting Murrhardt in 2008.
Thank you Rodney.
Quadripartite Frome 2011
Frome recently hosted the Annual Twinning Quadripartite with 118 guests visiting from Frome's twin towns of Château-Gontier in France, Murrhardt in Germany and Rabka-Zdrój in Poland.
Guests arrived from the three twin towns, including 20 members of the Polish folk group Majeranki, on Thursday 30 June, to be greeted by Frome's Town Crier, Mike Bishop, together with their many hosts. They departed early in the morning on Monday 4 July, having had a busy weekend in glorious weather, meeting friends old and new.
The theme of this year's Quadripartite meeting was culture. Various aspects of Frome's culture and several of the town's wonderful venues were showcased during the visit. A number of different cultural activities and events were organised for both hosts and guests alike. Over the three day visit, guests were treated to a beautiful ballet performance of the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" by Lyndsey Haines of Danceworks, enjoyed a jig with the Bathampton Morris men, and were entertained by local bands The Mangledwurzels and Three Corners.
They were also guided through the Frome Heritage Trail courtesy of Alistair Macleay; attended a specially arranged twinning church service at St Johns; had the opportunity to experience the Artisan and Frome Flea Markets and were superbly fed with locally sourced food by Silverspoons Catering and watered by Milk Street Brewery with a uniquely brewed ale "The Twinners' Tipple".
A newly transformed garden area of Victoria Park was officially opened in honour of Frome's newest twin town of Rabka-Zdrój, by the Mayor of Frome, Nick White and Rabka's Chairman, Maria Górnicka-Orzeł, during an informal evening of entertainment, supper and friendly chat.
The 37 visiting foreign students were hosted at Frome Community College on the Friday, where they took part in a number of integration activities including involvement with the College's Integration Celebration Festival organised by students at the Media Arts Department.
Frome also welcomed performances from the young winners of each town's "Twinning's Got Talent" competitions, namely Laura-Jayne Hocking and Adam Woods from Frome; Piotr Smietana, a yoyo artist from Rabka-Zdrój; Silck a 4 piece punk band from Château-Gontier and guitar duo Jonathan Wurst and Daniel John from Murrhardt.
The Majeranki gave traditional Polish folk performances at Critchill, Oakfield and Selwood Schools, as well as in Victoria Park. Melissa Singer, Business Manager at Critchill School said, "It was a complete honour and privilege to have them visit and perform for us. The performance was fantastic and thoroughly enjoyed by all."
Many groups of families joined forces to entertain their guests in true English style, and the Mayor introduced a number of visitors to his favourite pub, sharing the fun of shove-ha'penny and the like.
Cllr Nick White, Mayor of Frome said, "The visitors have left with an excellent memory of the town of Frome and its townspeople. We have really put Frome on the map and shown off what Frome has to offer culturally. One of the key foundations on which the twinning movement across the world is built is cultural exchange. Literally making friends with those in other countries and keeping in touch. 68 host families in Frome welcomed our friends into their houses, sometimes they were complete strangers, sometimes old friends. I cannot thank these host families enough for their willingness to be involved." Many others helped on the sidelines, with organisation, translations, transport etc.
Frome Town Council and the Frome Twinning Association would like to extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who contributed, however large or small, to making the Twinning Quadripartite a great success.
Quadripartite 2011
We are working on the pairing of visitors and hosts. Thank you for your patience and support. We are expecting 118 visitors in total. The Majeranki children's folk dance group, 20 children and teachers, will camp together in the Roman Catholic Hall.
Due to the enthusiasm of Frome College students for a Youth Ambassadors scheme set up 2 years ago between the twin towns, there will be 36 young people, mostly Youth Ambassadors present and future. Because our 18 year olds are now leaving College, there are younger ones shadowing them, ready to take over next year (in Murrhardt). The same applies in the other towns. Also included are the winners of "Twinning's Got Talent" - a competition, inspired by our students, held in each town ahead of the visit. The Frome students intended to host these, but now cannot do so, which leaves us with many more beds to find. If anyone can think of any more possibilities, we would be grateful to hear.
We plan to have a meeting for hosts on Thursday 23 June, 7.30pm at Trinity Hall. This will be a chance to discuss the programme and meet other hosts. We will be giving out welcome packs for your guests and information packs for hosts. Please be aware that parking is limited, so perhaps some can share cars or park a little way off. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Pat beforehand (see below). Further details to follow.
Polish evening, 26 May
Many of you have signed up for this and we look forward to seeing you in the Churchill Room at the Blue House at 8.00pm.
German Evening, 9 June
This will be held on Wednesday 9 June at Gill's house (see below). Anyone who is interested, please her on 01373 832322 or email guyandgill@btinternet.com
Lunch in the Garden
This regular event will be held on Sunday 7 August. Details to follow.
Subscriptions - a reminder
Membership subscriptions became due on 1 April. Our thanks to all those who have already paid, but there are still some who might need a little reminder. The rates stay the same at £7.50 for family membership and £5 for single. Please send paymments to Membership Secretary Margaret Brulais, Old Red House Farm, Stratton on the Fosse, Radstock, BA3 4QE (cheques payable to Frome Twinning Association). Thank you..
Ken Secker from Frome dies
The following is a tribute from the Murrhardt newspaper to Ken Secker, who signed the twinning charter for us in Murrhardt in 1984. The photo was taken at that time of Helmut Götz, Bürgermeister of Murrhardt, Ken Secker, Mayor of Frome, Jean Arthuis, Maire of Château-Gontier, plus a German regional official.
Ken Secker, Mayor of Frome in 1984/5, died in mid December. In 1984, as Mayor of Frome, Ken Secker joined the former Murrhardt Bürgermeister in signing the Twinning agreement between the two towns.
He laid the foundation for a close partnership between the English town in Somerset and Murrhardt that has now lasted nearly 30 years.
In a condolence message to his widow, Bürgermeister Dr Gerhard Strobel acknowledged Mr Secker's commitment to twinning.
Ken Secker aus Frome verstorben
Ken Secker, Bürgermeister der Stadt Frome in den Jahren 1984 und 1985, ist Mitte Dezember verstorben. Im Amt als MAYOR OF FROME unterzeichnete Ken Secker gemeinsam mit dem früheren Bürgermeister der Stadt Murrhardt Helmut Götz im Jahre 1984 in Murrhardt den Partnerschaftsvertrag zwischen der Stadt Frome und der Stadt Murrhardt.
Er legte mit den Grundstein für eine nun fast 30 Jahre währende enge Partnerschaft zwischen der Stadt im englischen Somerset und Murrhardt.
Bürgermeister Dr. Gerhard Strobel würdigte das Engagement Seckers für die Städtepartnerschaft in einem Kondolenzschreiben an die Witwe des Verstorbenen.