Les Amis de Chatillon et Clare
Our links with our French neighbours is Chatillon are going from strength to strength. Read the CBA newsletter for more information about Clare's recent visit to Chatillon.
Ron Longland provides the following summary of the exchange programme so far:
This cultural adventure began two years ago with an exchange of letters between Christopher Coombes, OBE, and Ron Longland, secretary of Clare Business Association. With dedication and hard work on both sides, much of it by Chris and David Maynard, Châtillon representative of LACC, it has become an annual cultural exchange between the footballers of Clare Town Lions and A.C.C.S., in Châtillon-sur-Indre.
The first visit by Châtillon was in April, when they won their match against Clare. This week, Clare went to Châtillon and showed them how it should be done. Clare Town Lions, in the C league, took on ACCS, 2009-2010 champions of the local A league, and won 3:1. Their fathers played each other and the Clare dads drew their match. Later, in the Jeux sans Frontières event, Clare came out top, beating Châtillon, Solferino (Italy) and Haskovo (Bulgaria). Even in the following Subbuteo-style adult football match, Clare still won! The Clare-Châtillon cup and the Clare Business Association Invitation Trophy are now back in Clare and will be on display at various premises throughout the town.
Full praise is due to Gary Harker, who organised the Lions, and all their fathers who supported them so well and cheered them to such a success. Equal praise also goes to those who organised the 'Knockout' games so successfully. The people of LACC had devoted much time and effort, and their own money, towards building and manning the games to the evident delight of all spectators.
During the European Market, the stalls provided by Clare participants were consistently visited by both local residents and visitors. Numerous cakes provided by mums and dads, proved to be popular, as did Nethergate Ale. The stalls attracted many people and interest was shown in Clare and everything it possesses. In what proved to be a difficult day for planning (these events in France always happen but not necessarily according to the time tables) Ron and Carole Longland were very grateful for the support provided by the footballers and Stoke College in helping to man the stall. For most of the young people, this was the very first time they had participated in such an event. They acquitted themselves without fault. Well done to all the youngsters.
The 'English Tea Rooms' manned by Châtillon colleagues and friends, were busy throughout the whole day. Credit for this success is due to Maggie Maynard, Bill and Barbara Chowns and Bob and Clare Wells, as well as others, for waiting on the tables, brewing the tea and providing the cakes, scones and jam, and to Hurst Bakery in Clare for the tea cakes. Amongst those providing other items for the stall were Cafe Clare, No.1 Deli and Cafe, Clare Pharmacy, Blue Dog and Hare's Tail.
On the Fete National day, Keith Haisman, chairman of Clare Town Council, joined with Michel Hetroy, Mayor of Châtillon, and other dignitaries in laying a wreath at the Châtillon War Memorial in honour of the French servicemen who gave their lives during two world wars.
As part of the Cultural Exchange between Clare and Châtillon, Ron Longland, representing Clare, and Michel Dion, representing Châtillon, exchanged paintings donated by Clare Art Club and L'Atelier de Peintures. Students of Stoke College, overseen by Marie-Helene Chisholm and Sabrina Ereira, gave singing and dancing performances which were also well received by the peoples of Châtillon.
The peoples of Châtillon, especially the dignitaries, were very impressed by the representatives from Clare and the organisation which went into the planned events. People made new friends, perhaps for life, and renewed friendships previously formed during April and the preceding months. The football exchange will continue for many years to come. Contacts have also been established between the artists of both Clare and Châtillon. Others in Châtillon have expressed a wish to exchange visits with their Clare counterparts. These include both churches (with a count wishing to play the Town church organ), historical societies (Châtillon was once a 'frontier town' for the Plantagenet part of France under Henry II) and, of course, the artists.
 Political representatives of the area were present throughout, ensuring that the money provided for these festivities (some of it from Brussels) was being used well. Part of this money went towards the cost of the trip for the Clare participants. What began as a simple 'thank you' by visitors from Châtillon in 2008 has grown, like the proverbially acorn, into something of which Clare can be proud.
Date : 20-08-2010
|
