Apologies - this is a very short Newsletter as we are very busy with the arrangements for the French visit and Twinning Ceremony at the end of the month! However, there is important news!

Enjoy a Spring Break!
Twinning visit to Artannes May 2006:
This is one future event that we're sure you will want to get into your diary for next year - the reciprocal official Twinning Ceremony and celebration weekend in Artannes.

The official ceremony is fixed for Saturday 27 May 2006.

A party from Bathford and Kingsdown will depart on either Thursday 25 May or Friday 26 May 2006 and return on Monday 29 or Tuesday 30 May 2006. There is likely to be the choice of group travel, probably by coach, and also individual travel arrangements for those who might want to stay on in France afterwards or vary their arrival or departure times.

It will be lovely time of year to visit the Loire area and anyone who has come in contact with the Artannais will know that we can expect a very hospitable welcome.

Support and interest from the French for our event has been remarkable (about 70 people are expected). We hope that we will have an equally good response from our own Bathford and Kingsdown supporters for the trip to France next year.

It should not be an expensive exercise. All accommodation will be with local families and although we will contribute to some meals and events, it should be a relatively small cost. For example, the French party coming here will be paying about 60 Euros (just over £40) each.

Group travel should also keep costs down. In addition, we will endeavour to get some EU finance towards travel expenses.

If you are interested, please let me know as soon as you can but no later than 10 November, as we have to put in an estimated number for EU funding purposes before mid November 2005. Expression of interest will not commit you to going but for EU grant purposes it is better for us to over estimate - we can always declare a lesser number but cannot later increase it.

If you attended the recent Host Briefing Meeting and indicated your interest then, there is no need to do it again - you are already included!

TWINNING CELEBRATIONS:
Bathford, 27-31 October 2005
If you are not hosting, there are two excellent opportunities to make contact and meet our French guests:

Celebration Dinner & Dance:
Selwyn Hall, Box
7.00pm Saturday 29 October
Tickets £15 inc. 3-course meal & wine

An Evening of Fun & Entertainment:
Cumberwell Park Golf Club
7.00pm Sunday 30 October
Tickets £10 inc. Buffet Supper. Pay bar available

You should have already had a programme & booking form for these and other events. We look forward to receiving your bookings!

Offers of practical help during the visit (driving, setting up the halls etc) would be very welcome. Please give me a ring if you are able to do so.