As Phil has described earlier we meet most months to have an evening or afternoon get together and to raise money for the annual twinning trip. Each event typically costs between £15 and £20 per head, which includes the food and entertainment, so it is a fairly inexpensive way to have a lot of fun.
Around half of the monies raised goes into the 'fund' which pays for all the major items of expense when our friends from Plouescat visit us. Here's a very short clip showing a previous visit.
https://e-voice.org.uk/brauntontwinning/assets/video/plouescat-visit-2019-video
In 2022 we visited Plouescat from 24th to 29th May, it was a great trip and included visits to the abalone beds, the tallest stone lighthouse in the world (Ile Vierge), prehistoric settlements, a day out in Quimper, and plenty of time with our delightful hosts around Plouescat and its beautiful coastline. The food and drink were second to none and the four, largely sunny, days flashed by.
Last year LES PLOUESCATAIS VISITED BRAUNTON: -FRIDAY 19th MAY to SUNDAY 21st MAY :
FRIDAY 19th MAY :
Marwood Gardens
10:15 Short talk by Malcolm, Head Gardener, at Marwood about the various key sights there.
10:30 Guided Walk around the Gardens and lakes,
11:30 approx, Arrive back at Café. Your choice of tea/coffee/soft drinks plus typical English cakes (lemon drizzle, Victoria Sponge, and cupcakes) awaits.
12:30 approx Travel back to Braunton
13:30 Braunton Parish Council Official Welcome at Braunton Parish Hall. Fizz/wine, canapes, sarnies, Plus welcome addresses from our councillors.
18:00 approx: Head off to Barnstaple Hotel for Twinning Dinner. A high quality three course carvery dinner.
18:30 Pre Drinks
19:00 Speeches
19:30 Dinner Served (71 attendees)
21:30- 23:00 Dancing etc.
SATURDAY 20th MAY :
09:00 to 17:00 Free day with hosts. Optional Saunton Beach WW2 Walk / South Molton Market/ Visit to Barnstaple.
For those interested in the Saunton WW2 Walk dogs are welcome. We will leave the rear landward end of Saunton Beach Car Park at 10:45. The walk will be at meandering pace, about 1.5 miles (2.5km) initially through the Burrows to the rusty remains of Matilda, then we head West to the sea via two recently uncovered dummy pillboxes which were used for assault training. Through the sandhills and onto the main beach for the last 400/600 metres, and back to the car park (around 12 noon) . Optional stop at beach café.
18:30 to 23:00 Party Night at Braunton Bowls Club. Nautical Theme.
18:30/45 Arrive for pre-drinks. These are available at very reasonable BBC (Braunton Bowls Club) bar rates.
19:15 Performance 1 by Sea Shanty Choir, approx. 30 minutes
20:00 Grand Buffet Dinner including:
Cold beef, salmon, ham, coronation chicken, Veggie quiche and veggie coronation chicken.
Green salad, layered tomatoes with mozzarella and balsamic dressing, Roasted Vegetable Couscous
Coleslaw, Minted New Potatoes, Selection of Breads.
Selection of local English Cheeses.
Pavlova, Lemon Posset, White Chocolate and Raspberry Cheesecake, Trifles
21:00 Le Crunch! Plouescat v. Braunton Nautical Challenge
21:30 Performance 2 by Sea Shanty Choir
22:00 Music and Dancing
SUNDAY 21st MAY:
09:00 to 16:00 Free day with hosts. Possible trips out, small group BBQ’s. Au choix.
16:00 TBC French board bus (at Braunton Academy) to drive back to Plymouth.
Braunton Twinning goes home to get some sleep !
This year we get to do it all again when we visit Plouescat from 7th to 12th May. :-)
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In previous months we have run several very successful events in support of twinning, please see below:
April 2023: After a few years absence James and Alison, and Geunor and Ian reintroduced the Twinning Safari Supper. It was superb, where else could you get a gourmet 4 course meal for £15? The evening was a great success with 17 diners, who supported the raffle very generously. At the end of the evening we had raised nearly £250 for funds.
June 2023: Pat & Terry's Midsummer Madness Party
September 2023: Barbecue at Anne & Andy's
October 2023: Quiz at Cricket Club
November 2023: Sausages and Fromages at Geunor & Ian's
December 2023: Christmas Drinks at Noel and Ros'
January 2024: Games and Snacks night at Anne & Andy's
February 2024: Bingo Evening at Cricket Club
March 2024: Quiz Night at Cricket Club
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Future Events:
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Bank Holiday Monday, May 27th, Braunton Fair ..... stall planned.
Saturday 15th June, Pat & Terry's Midsummer Madness 2024
Early July: AGM at Cricket Club.
Friday 19th July: Bingo at Bowls Club
August : Garden Party @ Phil & Julia
September: TBA
October: Quiz at Cricket Club
November: Bingo NIght, Parish Hall ?
December : Christmas Event .... Wine Tasting ?
.