Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made.

To confirm as a correct record the Notes of the meeting of the Twinning Committee held on 3 July 2014

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Twinning Committee held on 3 July 2014 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

The Leisure Services Manager (Development), Mr S Gregg, presented the twinning officer’s report on recent activity with Heusenstamm and Le Puy-en-Velay and made particular reference to an Anglo-French tournament hosted by Tonbridge Tennis Club with a group of players from Le Puy over the weekend of 23/24 August and to the celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the twinning between Tonbridge and Malling and Heusenstamm over the weekend 13-14 September 2014.  Further to Minute TWC 14/5 of the previous meeting, Mr Gregg advised that a sign detailing the history of the Heusenstamm Friendship Wood was being progressed in liaison with the Heusenstamm Friendship Circle. 

In the absence of Mr Bisson, Mr Gregg set out details of the Malling Auchel Association’s celebration of its thirtieth anniversary of twinning with Auchel which had included the installation of a tree and commemorative plaque in Macey’s Meadow, near to the cricket pavilion in West Malling, which had been attended by the Mayor.  Regretfully, Mr Gregg also advised that, due to the depletion of membership in both the associations, a decision had been taken to end the formal twinning arrangement between the two towns on a ‘high note’ following the celebration of the anniversary.

In the absence of Mrs Kirk a written report provided by the Tonbridge French Circle was circulated at the meeting and Ms Levett provided a verbal update on the Circle’s proposed programme of activities to April 2015. 

Mr Packer presented details of recent and proposed activities of the Heusenstamm Friendship Circle and circulated copies of recent editions of ‘Nachrichten’.  Particular reference was made to the Torbau Celebrations held in July and to the recent Nikolausabend and Nikolausmarkt held in late November and early December. 

Mr Hickmott provided details of recent and forthcoming activities and made particular reference to a recent exchange with Holmesdale school involving six and seven students.  In addition, he anticipated that a football exchange visit would be undertaken in May 2015. 

In the absence of Mr Young, no report was submitted.

In the absence of Mr Atkinson his written report was presented by Mr Gregg.  Particular reference was made to the proposed celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the twinning between Ditton and Rang-du-Fliers, the celebration of Bastille Day and the annual cross-channel petanque match.  It was noted that Mr Atkinson had advised that he had recently retired from the post of Chairman of the Ditton Twinning Committee. 

In the absence of Mr Street no report was submitted. 

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information.

No matters were considered in private.