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Reports and Links to pages which made the headlines on this web site
Leics. and Rutland Joint Twinning Association ran a workshop on 6th March 2004 at Kegworth at which the problems of twinning and the way forward will be examined. Heather Herrington of Soar Valley is organising this: Heather will be circulating a questionnaire to members to assist discussions and it is hoped that all will cooperate, even if not attending the workshop itself. She and Mike Brewer of the LRJTA addressed the monthly meeting of Melton & District Twinning Association on Thursday 22nd January on the subject and much benefit was derived therefrom. Three delegates from Melton will be attending the workshop.
Co slychac Sochaczew? - SOCHACZEW - Strony Urzedu Miasta (Strona Glówna) - Details of Melton's Mayoral visit.
The Association supported the CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL 2003 at St. Mary's Parish Church, Melton
as you will see on our CHRISTMAS TREE PAGE
The War Memorial Gardens and Field of Remembrance were the scene of the annual rededication Service in November 2003. Among the many present from military organisations and the general public were the Mayor Cllr. Mark Barnes and Senior Townwarden Ivor Ruddle and also Mrs. Dorothy Burton (now living in Scotland), the widow of Richard Burton, VC. Mrs. Burton placed a cross in the Field of Remembrance and afterwards she and her family unveiled the dedication plaque in The Richard Burton VC Memorial Lounge at Royal British Legion HQ, Keswick House, Thorpe End, Melton.
At the Association's Meeting held on 25th September the Mayor Cllr. Mark Barnes gave a post-prandial address to some 20 members on the subject of "The future of Twinning in Melton" - and after detailing the early history of the Association and telling of his recent visits to Kapelle and Sochaczew emphasised the need to include youth within planning forthcoming events. He was followed by Mr. Tony Rifugiato who enthusiastically outlined his well-known involvement with music as an international medium and suggesting future co-operation in that field. Chairman Mr. David Morris responded with assurances that the Association would mark well these suggestions.
Guests at the Dinner, which was held at Quorn Lodge, Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray, included Mr. and Mrs. Stan Kacher and Mr. and Mrs. M. Brewer, officers of the Leicestershire & Rutland Joint Twinning Association.
Sadly we learned at the Meeting (via Mr. Martin Burton) of the death that week of Mrs. Beryl Young who until her recent illness was a staunch member of the Association. Our sympathies were expressed to her husband, Eric and will be conveyed to him.
The United States has launched its biggest historical celebrations in over a quarter of a century to commemorate the expedition of Captain Meriwether Lewis and Captain William Clark - the pioneers who went from Missosuri to the Pacific and back by river. Their "Corps of Discovery" assembled in Louisville and history details their exciting adventures. Currently Louisville, Kentucky and Clarksville, Indiana are hosting the second of fifteen National Signature Events commemorating the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial. The Festival is being held October 14th through the 26th. William Clark and Meriwether Lewis left from Clarksville on October 26, 1803 and there is much detail to be found on the internet via the LEWIS and CLARK DEDICATED PAGE
Melton's new internet contact, John McCrory of Clarksville, who is in communication with members of the Melton Mowbray Amateur Radio Society via EchoLink is pictured below during a recent nostalgic visit by him to a Landing Ship (Tank)
You can read more about EchoLink and internet communications on our Latest News Page
A POLISH-THEMED SOCIAL EVENING hosted by Councillor & Mrs. Mark Barnes (Mayor & Mayoress) who talked on their recent Civic Visit to Sochaczew was held at the Council Offices, Nottingham Road, Melton Mowbray on Thursday 24th July 2003 - a very interesting report of their enjoyable time with our twin town. Polish-style refreshments were served following the slideshow of many photographs given by Mrs. Barnes.
2003 kicked off with a twinning between Polish Rugby players from Sochaczew and the Melton Rugby Club - a friendly match took place here in Melton on Saturday 8th March on the Upper School pitch. The cold weather and driving rain did not dampen the spirits of the young dancers who cheered their side
The group of Polish dancers (the Abstrakt Girl Dancing Ensemble) came in the same coach as their rugby-playing compatriots to take part in several terpsichorean events here. They stayed at Brooksby Melton College and aimed to join in the Performing Arts classes there. On Friday 7th March they joined the Melton Mowbray Amateur Operatic Society to give a concert at the Melton Polish Club, Sandy Lane and a very lively evening it was - it included a show dance entitled "Virus" an extract of which is shown below.
There was no charge for admission to this concert but a collection was taken to assist in funding some of the costs of the trip - the audience had patently thoroughly enjoyed themselves as the total raised was £395.50.On Tuesday 11th March (our visitors' penultimate day of their sojourn) the Mayor Mal Sheldon hosted a buffet lunch in the Borough Council Offices for the entire group plus members of the District Twinning Association. Our dedicated page illustrates the event.
And so to Bewdley.......
The likelihood of the planned Friendship links with Bewdley and Clarksville looms ever large so as a foretaste of things to come we recommend a cyber visit to:
BEWDLEY and its MUSEUM. The Severn Valley Railway and Mamble Craft Centre are also important tourist places nearby if you decide to go in person.
MELTONIANS 
BEWDLEYANS
SOCHACZEW LADY TEACHERS CHOIR COMES TO MELTON AGAIN!
This visit took place 1st to 8th August - see CHÓR NAUCZYCIELSKI w SOCHACZEWIE - ITINERARY and it was a memorable sojourn for them and another great pleasure for us - our Farewell and Do widzenia -Najlepsze zyczenia! on the morning of Thursday 8th August is shown here too.
Albeit the file size is, of necessity, large and downloading will take an average of 2 minutes, by kind permission of their dyrygent Alicja Ozimek and all others concerned, an excerpt from the choir's CD "VIVACE" of the piece "Dysc" is included in the first of the above dedicated pages.
On Wednesday 30th October 2002 at the Melton Borough Council offices Councillor Tim Cullen (aided by his son Jack who was consort (the youngest-ever in the country) during Councillor Cullen's term (2001/2002) as Mayor) made the presentations of cheques to organisations representing Youth Groups following his successful year's appeal. Amongst the many happy and very grateful recipients from the £20,000 fund were, on behalf of the Twinning Association, Chairman Mr. David Morris and Treasurer Mr. Richard Winters of the sum of £700 - "for assistance for Twin Town Exchanges involving Youth Groups."
Immediately following the ceremony the Press were present in force recording the gathering and the evening closed with a buffet.
The Twinning Times - December 2001 Newsletter was published by the Association and we have made this available to you as the first document in our E-LIBRARY - CLICK HERE to visit and obtain your copy.
New Chairman for the Association as John Rudman retires.
The Bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
In 1803 Meriwether Lewis was commissioned by Thomas Jefferson to find a land route to the Pacific . He asked William Clark to go with him. On 26th October 1803, they left the Falls at Clarksville, followed the Missouri River to its source, crossed the Rocky Mountains, (aided by an Indian woman, Sacajawea) and followed the Columbia River all the way to the Pacific. These brave and adventurous explorers with their 'Corps of Discovery' returned overland on 6th November 1806 after a very important and successful trip that made history.
In 2003 Clarksville will be celebrating in great style this important Anniversary: we heard from Lynn Lewis last July that the quilting group in Clarksville were planning to make a quilt as part of the event. It will show in a number of squares, various aspects of Clarksville past and present. Melton's Twinning Association member Dinah Rudman contacted Lynn, and asked whether the quilting group in Clarksville might like a square from us their Sister City. The answer was an enthusiastic 'Yes please'. We felt it was great compliment to us to be included in this important venture.
The immaculately embroidered square (measuring 30cm x 30cm), showing St Mary's Church, Melton Mowbray has been completed by Dinah and has been received safely in Clarksville.
Jean Feurhelm has been our contact quilter and we learn that our contribution will now be assembled together with all the other squares, and mounted on a proper quilting frame in the 'Gathering Room' thereby forming a visible link to Melton Mowbray in this important project. We shall be kept supplied with pictures and updates about progress and hope to display them on this website.
A further demonstration of affection and the Friendship Link comes from the donation to Melton Mowbray of the descriptive book of Clarksville as shown below and for which we are most grateful.
Melton - Clarksville Libraries Link
Janet Gilchrist, librarian with responsibility for work with children and young people at Melton library has announced that the Leicestershire County Council Library Committee has approved a twinning link between Melton Library and the Library in Clarksville, Indiana, USA.
Kathy Rosga, librarian from Clarksville visited Melton Library in November of last year. Kathy found her visit here useful and was keen to keep in contact by e-mail. The two librarians have exchanged leaflets about services and are considering setting up video-conferencing sessions between teenagers of both libraries.
Kathy is Manager of the Clarksville branch of the Jeffersonville Township Public library, and has been actively involved from the beginning in the Clarksville Sister Cities programme.
All the technology now so readily available to us makes it easier to make friends, and increase our understanding of each other's countries and customs even when our communities live far apart.
We may not be able to visit often, but we hope that through the magic of IT, this friendship link will flourish.
Click on a flower to learn why Van Gogh came to town!
The Association, after busily preparing for the keenly anticipated visit to Melton of the Sochaczew Teachers' Choir commencing on Thursday 20th September 2001, were well rewarded for their efforts. The 25 ladies were hosted locally, formally received and they gave concerts during their stay. In particular their well-attended joint concert at the Baptist Church, Leicester Road, Melton Mowbray with the Parish Singers and the Melton Male Voice Choir received a standing ovation.
Polish firefighters also visited at this time and were hosted by their local counterparts - glowing (!) reports were received of the magnificent time they all had.
Christine (Slomkowska) continues her meteoric career in journalism having single-handedly launched the Newsletter "TWINFINITY" - on behalf of Leicestershire and Rutland Joint Twinning Association.
Does this herald her becoming a modern-day Press baron or will there be a new plate in Fleet Street?
100 attend the Polish community's OPLATEK CEREMONY - story and picture by Christine Slomkowska.
We all know how They brought the Good News from Ghent to Aix - here's how they brought the Good News from Hickling to Clawson! On a bright, sunny day (4th May) the signs were erected, and 10 weeks after the towpath had been closed to the public on account of the Foot & Mouth Epidemic once more we could walk the 4.5km between Hickling Basin and Long Clawson Bridge (near Clawson Thorns).
We've added a new CANAL PAGE to illustrate the joys of this return to the countryside.
For the past 2½ years the Melton Motor Project has been busily
restoring a 1958 Morris Minor to its former glory, and now they are able
to plan some exciting excursions!
The project consists of youths aged 13-16 years and is run by volunteers with
a motor industry background.
The car was donated to the youths by Jill and the late John Lister in
December 1998. Since then the car has undergone a total restoration, with
the work being carried out by the teenagers, under close supervision.
At present the car is 90% complete and so the members are now looking ahead
to the day when it will finally be "on the road" again. . Therefore it
is planned to organize a trip to Melton's twin town in Holland, in memory of
John Lister, who was an enthusiastic member of the Melton Twinning Association
and who, we are sad to say, died on Friday 19th January 2001.
The Rally will also reward the members for the hard work and dedication
involved in such a venture.
It is hoped that other Classic and interesting cars will take part in the
Rally and therefore form a mini Car Show in Kapelle during the annual Kapelle
Day celebrations.
The members will be leaving Melton on Friday 24 August and arriving back on
Monday 27 August 2001.
If anyone would like to take part in this event, please contact Nick on
01664-813885 or by e-mail - nick.nadine@onmail.co.uk.
It was our sad duty to record the passing of local Battle of Britain top-scoring pilot "Johnnie Johnson". We published an IN MEMORIAM page in his memory.
Note: A Service of Thanksgiving for his life was held on 25th April 2001 and the details have been added to the archived page.
The local HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY Exhibition included a display of photographs and documents belonging to Association member Richard Winters from his service days at Belsen Concentration Camp 1948-1950.
We are pleased to give you now details of the recent Exhibition of Town Twinning activity which was in the local Carnegie Museum.
In furtherance of the very apparent warmth already created, and anticipating even firmer twinning links between Melton Mowbray and Clarksville our members Elisabeth and Norman Brent detoured from a Winter visit to their daughter, Claire, in Zionsville to receive an overwhelming welcome from the Clarksville Sister Cities Committee and to enjoy an extensive tour of the locality.
Melton's members were enthralled by a vivid description of these events at their meeting on 11th January and we promise you photographs will appear here very shortly so that you too may share the delights - in the meantime their account is now here for you to share under the title of "The Norman (and Elisabeth) Conquest".
The Melton Mowbray INTERNATIONAL FOOD FAYRE 2000 was held on Sunday 10th December - the "rushes" were on our dedicated page just hours after the event.
The Association held its CHRISTMAS 2000 SOCIAL EVENING in mid-December and for those who couldn't attend we show it here in all its glory!
THE ZUIDER ZEE CAME TO MELTON and we show the event as
"The November 2000 Floods" with these special pictures.
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