Flag Throwers. Newsletter 17, Late Autumn 2014, keeping members updated. Edition 21, Spring 2017, keeping members informed

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1 Flag Throwers Newsletter 17, Late Autumn 2014, keeping members updated Edition 21, Spring 2017, keeping members informed

2 Souvenir Special Hi, every one, welcome to our Souvenir Special Edition of the Newsletter. We look back to 2016, in particular the visit of the Flag Throwers from Gubbio. And remember the brilliant Russian Orthodox choir from Wertheim. We also look forward to the Arts Festival in For those of you who saw the Flag Throwers, I am sure you will agree, what a fantastic show it was. We would like to thank all those twinners who made the event such a success. In particular our thanks to Anna & Clive Best for all their hard work. Twinning is only successful due to the voluntary work put in throughout the years by its members and all those who have hosted visitors now and will in the future. Together, let us continue to build on the successes of the past and to a bright future based on friendship and cooperation with our twin towns. The Twinning Association is always looking for new members. Do you know someone who might like to join? If so ring Carole for further details;

3 Flag Throwers - Gubbio What a weekend, Sept 2016 was. I think it is fair to say that Huntingdon had never seen anything quite like it when the Gubbio Flag Throwers performed in the Market Square during their much anticipated visit in September. We were treated to a colourful display with much skill and virtuosity and both performances in the morning and afternoon were very well attended by the Huntingdon public. Likewise their performance at Magdalene College on the Sunday received much praise and great positive feedback. On both days we were blessed with sunny weather though the wind on the Saturday afternoon caused a few problems with flags being blown off course on a few occasions. All 26 of the Flag Throwers were hosted by Twinning families and the Flag Throwers were all very appreciative of the hospitality offered to them. Evening meals were held in Sandford House, Hill Ephesus restaurant and the George while we gave them lunches in Alex s café and the Samuel Pepys. There was also a pre-dinner beer-tasting session in the Falcon on the Saturday evening which they seemed to enjoy and resulted in an impromptu choral performance by our Flag Throwers which was very impressive. The Old Bridge offered them a light lunch on the Saturday in return for a mini performance in their courtyard and Simon Stoddard offered them an Italian lunch in Cambridge prior to their performance at Magdalene College. After this display they were all invited to the Garden Party for alumni & donors of the college & Simon Stoddard introduced Francesco Bianchi, the leader of the Flag Throwers, to Rowan Williams, the Master of Magdalene College. The public reaction to this event was very enthusiastic.

4 The Flag Throwers ranged in age from 17 to early fifties but they were always a closely bonded team and the older ones kept an eye on the younger ones absolutely necessary as every evening most of them decided to go into Cambridge after dinner & didn t return till around 3am. However they were always up and about the next day at the right time and they conducted themselves in a totally professional way during their performances. They were always enthusiastic and good-natured throughout their stay and it was with some sadness that we said goodbye to them in the early hours of the Monday morning. Since their return to Italy I have received messages from both the Flag Throwers & members of the Gubbio Twinning Association thanking us for our hospitality and stressing what an enjoyable weekend they had. I scanned the relevant page from the Hunts Post which they were delighted to see. Anna Best GERMAN CULTURAL EVENING On Saturday, 4 th March 2017, we invited a Russian Orthodox Choir from Wertheim, to entertain members of the Twinning Association at this social event. In case you wonder why we invited a Russian Orthodox Choir to a German evening, here is a brief historic background: 250 years ago, Russia s Tsarina Catherine the Great signed a manifesto inviting foreigners to settle in her country, - The Tsarina was a German national herself and she promised immigrants from the West numerous incentives: exemption from military service, selfgovernance, tax breaks, initial financial aid, 75 acres of land per settler family, also freedom of language was guaranteed and the free and unrestricted practice of their religion. Lots of Germans took advantage of this generous offer and moved to Russia. The collapse of the Soviet Union made life "in the backyards of the empire" increasingly difficult. During Perestroika in the 1980s, a massive migration of Germans to

5 and from M the Soviet Union started. Entire families, and even villages, would leave their homes and relocate together in Austria and Germany, the country of their ancestors where they were accepted as "late re-settlers. Wertheim, our German Twin Town, welcomed these re-settlers with open arms. The Americans had just left their base in Wertheim and houses and flats became available. The German- Russian people are now a valuable asset to the town of Wertheim. The Choir had agreed to give 2 concerts - one on Saturday evening as part of a Cultural German Twinning Event in the Town Hall, were 110 people were sitting around beautifully decorated tables enjoying tasty German food most of it voluntarily prepared by HGTA members wine and German snacks. In between, Markus had us all on our feet, swaying and singing Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit. The other performance took place on Sunday in the Mary Magdalene Parish Church in Brampton, where generous donations, over 300, went to the church. Those who attended the concerts were treated to colourful and moving performances, rewarded by standing ovations. The Russian songs brought smiles to peoples faces, clapping to the music and sometimes moving them to tears, especially when Mrs Ziske and her two daughters sang. The programme for the 22 visitors included visits to Ely Cathedral, the Stained Glass Museum, Cambridge and London. Some members of the choir had chosen to stay at the George Hotel however, the ones hosted by families had a more personal experience. Within 2 days, friendships developed across borders and language barriers. Feedback confirmed that the group was absolutely thrilled and delighted about their visit in England. They felt the hospitality, generosity, kindness and friendship they experienced were overwhelming. They hadn t expected the visit to be so special and wonderful. Thanks to all those involved. Gesine DeVere

6 s Some even of the memorable photos of the Choirs visit. Huntingdon Youth Theatre Group performing in Wertheim The group will consist of Dominic Whitehead and his wife Beryl Anne, 20 young people, several chaperons and parents who will all drive to Wertheim by coach. They will be leaving Monday morning, 29 May 2017 at 8am from the Huntingdon Bus Terminal and returning the following Friday, 2 June. About 10 seats will be available on the coach, which HGTA members are more than welcome to fill. Should you wish to visit Wertheim staying with friends or in a hotel and wanting to choose this opportunity for a short holiday break for a contribution of 100 towards the cost, please contact: Gesine DeVere via g.devere@lineone.net or Phone

7 Szentendre Sport Festival Representing HGTA St Peters took 12 Students to compete in a Youth Sport Festival hosted by Szentendre. The Festival consisted of four teams Wertheim, Gubbo, Szentendre and Huntingdon/Godmanchester. Unfortunately on this occasion Salon were unable to attend. St Peters students on the last night where awards were presented. Everyone received a special certificate and medal. Individual success was also rewarded. There were four sports, athletics, swimming, football and volleyball. The students really enjoyed the competitions over the 3 days and enjoyed mixing with other countries in the Youth Sport Festival. The students have thoroughly enjoyed their experience in Szentendre making new friends, learning about new cultures and enjoyed healthy competition, this was an experience of a lifetime. The Twinning Association would like to thank all those involved in helping to make this event a success. The Annual Sports/Cultural Youth Festival is one of our most important event of our calendar. This year s Festival will be in Huntingdon & Godmanchester. Planning is well underway. All members welcome! Would like to get more involved with Twinning? Why not come to our next member s meeting on Monday 24 th April 7.30 pm at Huntingdon Town Hall.

8 Twinning Contacts Malcolm Lyons, Chair Doug Christison, Ann Beevor, Life Presidents David King Secretary Gesine DeVere Wertheim Sub Committee David Brown Szentendre Sub Com Trish James Salon & Social Sub committees Anna Best Gubbio Sub Committee Graham Shirra Treasurer Mike Humphrey PR & Marketing Carole Hitchings Membership Secretary Annual General Meeting Twinning is a member based organisation. Have your say at the AGM on Wednesday 7 th June at Huntingdon Town Hall If you are want to find out more about this Festival contact David Brown on or by at; david.brown403@talktalk.net