Editorial
Several people have remarked that they have not had a Newsletter recently! They are right! The last one I put out was in January.

However, I make no apology for that as I have been pursuing my previously stated intention of using the Bathford Bulletin as much as possible for Twinning News. This is because the Bulletin reaches every household in Bathford whereas the Newsletters have a much more limited distribution. The enlarged and improved Bulletin enables the inclusion of much more detailed material and, provided the copy date can be met, is an ideal way to bring our activities to the attention of the village. So do look out for the stuff in the Bulletin - there is something put in for most months - but I will continue to bring you up to date with a Newsletter from time to time.

The year so far has seen a very successful visit of Bathford people to Artannes where we were received with the usual welcoming enthusiasm.

More recently we had the Artannes Primary School children here. The length of the visit and the numbers involved proved quite arduous for all concerned but we were overwhelmed by the support which we had, not only from members, but also from many others in the village who helped with accommodation, entertainments, food etc. For this we sincerely thank them.

The long postponed walk in the Chew Valley was at last achieved and much enjoyed. Thanks are due to Julia Masdin for arranging it.

Below you will see a number of items coming up in the future. If any of them interest you, do please get in touch for more details.

With all good wishes,
Tony

Shop Early for Christmas
Our very popular tea towels, which were produced at the time of the Formal Twinning, have now sold out.

Using the same design and supplier, we have ordered a new line - kitchen aprons. These will make splendid Christmas Gifts - ideal for husbands doing the washing up during the festivities!

They will retail at about £5 and will be available in time for Christmas. If you want to order ahead for when they come in, contact me or any of the Twinning Committee.

New Twinning Sign
We have long been disappointed with the signs at the entrances to the village which were supplied by B&NES. Even more so since Batheaston got rather superior ones when they twinned with Oudon!

So I'm glad to be able to report that we have managed to obtain a much smarter new one to put at the railway bridge entrance to Bathford. It will not only contain the words 'Twinned with Artannes-sur-Indre' but will show the French flag and the Artannes village emblem.

I understand that the sign has arrived and will be fitted shortly. We hope you will think it is an improvement.

Website
Have a look at our website! - www.bathfordtwinning.org.uk

This website is very competently looked after for us by our Webmaster, Patrick Hathway. He has managed to continue this during his time at university (and got a 1st into the bargain!) and he is constantly updating its features. Thanks and congratulations Patrick - keep up the good work!

The website was originally set up by Nick Breeze who later handed it over to Patrick's keeping. Nick has just been awarded a doctorate, so congratulations to him too!

What a team!!

Will the Bells of Bathford Ring Out in Artannes?
Saturday 9 May 2009 is an important day in the calendar of Twinning in the Touraine. At that time of year, the Twinning Associations of the local towns and villages get together for a Europe Day celebration. They also invite delegations from the places in other countries to which they are twinned.

Next year the event will take place in Artannes and not only are we invited to send a delegation but they have also asked if the Handbell Ringers from Bathford (whose fame has obviously spread far and wide!) could come to play the European Anthem and otherwise entertain the proceedings. There are several hurdles to cross before this invitation can be taken up, e.g. permission to take the bells abroad, cost of insurance and getting a team together of ringers willing to travel.

However it is an honour to be asked and Julia Masdin, who heads up the group, will be seeing what can be arranged.

If you are interested in attending next year, put the dates 7th - 11th May 2009 in your diaries and we will keep you informed of developments.

The Taste of an English Christmas
Following discussions with our friends in Artannes about the possibility of exchanging ideas and recipes for traditional cooking by means of demonstrating them on home ground, we are intending to offer them a 3 day Cookery Workshop to be held in Bathford.

The theme of this event - which we hope will be the first of several both here and in Artannes - will cover the preparations for a Traditional English Christmas.

It is scheduled for 4th - 8th December 2008 and the final programme will shortly be sent to Artannes to invite anyone interested. We do not anticipate a large event; indeed we will be setting a maximum number because parts of the workshop will take place in houses.

The programme will include:

• Cookery demonstrations & tasting of traditional Christmas fare
• An evening with a traditional Christmas dinner
• Making decorations for the house and festive table
• Making Christmas Crackers
• A visit to the Bath Christmas Market
• A visit to the Bathford Christmas Bazaar

Proceedings will conclude on the evening of Sunday 7th December with a Pot Luck Supper in the Parish Hall. This will be an opportunity for everyone to come along and meet the participating visitors and to sample some of the things produced over the weekend.

There will be no charge for entry to this event. Guests will however be invited to bring along a contribution to the buffet.

For more details contact the organisers: Maureen Breeze, Jenny Matthews & Tony Woodcock.