Over 300 people visited Clanfield Memorial Hall on Saturday 27th April 1996 to see an Anglo / French exhibition of art and crafts.  It was a rare opportunity to see some of the work of talented Clanfield residents and of their Normandy counterparts.  Nineteen French people made the trip, organised by Val d’Oisons’s Club Feminin.  They joined local people in mounting a wonderful display of art and crafts.

The French ladies’ club is a weekly focus for arts, crafts and cultural activity.  Members display and sell their work in France at Spring and Autumn exhibitions each year.

The joint event in Clanfield was the result of their wish to meet and share experiences with local artists here: one example of the winning links now growing between us.  Among the exhibits were oils, watercolours, silk painting, book illustration, embroidery, spinning, jewellery, floral art, woodcarving and children’s toys.

Later on Saturday evening Club Feminin enjoyed a dinner with their Clanfield hosts at the Flora Twort Gallery in Petersfield.  On Sunday they visited Jane Austen’s house at Chawton and various other attractions with their English friends.

It was the tenth Duathlon for Le Bec Thomas, but the first for Carwen Hughes.  He and Menna were the only representatives from Clanfied, joined by a coachload from Schomberg, Germany ,who also twin with Val d’Oison.

The festivities started with a dinner to thank visitors and helpers.  At 0930 hours the following morning, the children’s races began.  The Duathlon itself is the same overall distance as a marathon but is 7.5km on foot, 30km by cycle and the final 5.5km on foot.  There were many spectators at the various vantage points around the village, cheering on the runners and riders, while the anumateur gave an excited commentary on all the activity throughout the day.  The main event was led by a large noisy motorcycle, as lyrca-clad dualetes on aerodynamic cycles pedalled downhill at speeds of up to 50 mph.  Carwen did very well., reaching 30 mph (and braking!)  He had  a little setback on the hill when his chain jammed, but a friendly passing motorist lent him a toolkit and he continued the race to finish 3rd Senior Veteran.