Clanfield twinned with Val d’Oison
The Twinning Assocation
In 1992, the idea of seeking a Twinning partner was first suggested. It was the Parish Council’s wish that the village sought twinning with a village in Normandy, and a special team was formed. Contact with the EU resulted in the offer of a number of European possibilities. One of the French localities offered sounded partiularly suitable and a preliminary visit was arranged. The team was delighted with its findings and brought back relevant information, photos, videos etc for displaying at a Public meeting. Following this, the first Twinning committee was formed and the formal Twinning with Val d’Oison was fostered. A trial visit was made by Val d’Oison in May 1994 with a return visit by Clanfield to France in the September - both of which were a huge success.
The twinning accord was signed in Clanfield in April 1995 and reciprocated in Val d’Oison in May 1996. Although the accord is a formal link between the respective councils, the activities that foster this relationship are run in both countries by voluntary groups.
Today the association has 60 members and an evolving social programme to compliment the various events arranged with Val d’Oison.
The association makes biennial visits to Val d’Oison and enjoys a very friendly welcome from its French partners. A wonderful visit to Monet’s garden at Giverny and a visit to Paris and Versailles have all been memorable events.
On alternate years, Clanfield members host their friends from Val d’Oison. Each Autumn, it has been the practice for each association to challenge the other to local games and again, visits are alternately made.
The activities divide into two programmes:
1. The Twinning itself which is supported by:
2. The Social which aims to keep members involved and assists in providing funds for the exchange visits.
The association aims high and continues to develop the relationship, not only with Val d’Oison, but also with its own community here in Clanfield. Formal links do involve local councils, but making the relationship work is down to voluntary twinning associations and their communities.
The twinning accord was signed in Clanfield in April 1995 and reciprocated in Val d’Oison in May 1996. Although the accord is a formal link between the respective councils, the activities that foster this relationship are run in both countries by voluntary groups.
Today the association has 60 members and an evolving social programme to compliment the various events arranged with Val d’Oison.
The association makes biennial visits to Val d’Oison and enjoys a very friendly welcome from its French partners. A wonderful visit to Monet’s garden at Giverny and a visit to Paris and Versailles have all been memorable events.
On alternate years, Clanfield members host their friends from Val d’Oison. Each Autumn, it has been the practice for each association to challenge the other to local games and again, visits are alternately made.
The activities divide into two programmes:
1. The Twinning itself which is supported by:
2. The Social which aims to keep members involved and assists in providing funds for the exchange visits.
The association aims high and continues to develop the relationship, not only with Val d’Oison, but also with its own community here in Clanfield. Formal links do involve local councils, but making the relationship work is down to voluntary twinning associations and their communities.
