DITTON TWINNING ASSOCIATION
c/o Parish Council Office
Ditton Community Centre
Kilnbarn Road
DITTON
Aylesford
Kent ME20 6AH
Telephone: 01732 844749
Fax: 01732 845572
The French town of Rang du Fliers is located on the Côte d'Opale (the Opal Coast), 6 Km from the beach of Berck sur Mer, in the Montreuil sur Mer area.
Rang-du-Fliers is a tourist focused town and has 3800 inhabitants with seven camping sites, two hotels, several B&Bs and restaurants, numerous shops, as well as the Bagatelle theme park. Its footpaths and byways for pedestrians and bicycles is a delight for all those who enjoy the peace and quiet of natural surroundings.
The
two-star Tourist Office, which is open all year round, is on hand to assist
you with your stay and will inform you of the many events organised throughout
the year. Visit the Rang-du-Fliers
Tourist Office web site (in French but with some English).
For information about older twinning visits and events, please click here.
DITTON TWINNING ASSOCIATION -- Planned Activities, (February 2010 onwards)
Following the February 2010 and earlier meetings of the Twinning Association Committee, the following events are planned:-
2009 CHRISTMAS FAIR - The receipts from the Fair exceeded expectations, giving a nett profit of £637.50. Good and positive comments from members were made about publicity, banner advertising, leaflets to school children etc. ADVANCE NOTICE: Sunday, 12th December 2010 is the planned date for the next Christmas Fair.
DAMARA TEA DANCE - the Tea Dance which was to have been held on 15th April 2009 had been cancelled because the French party had been unable to obtain the necessary transport. It is believed that Damara have arranged a date for a similar event in October 2010.
BOOT FAIR - This was held on Sunday 17th January 2010 and raised around £300 for our funds. It is our intention to hold another Boot Fair in 2011.
ACTIVITIES AND POSSIBLE VISITS TO DITTON IN 2010 AND LATER
a) Harmonie Indépendante - It has been suggested that the Town Band and Majorettes of Rang-du-Fliers should visit Ditton and march through the village and perhaps give a concert either in or out of doors. Should the planned Football Tournament go ahead, the club has agreed to the Town Band playing during lunch interval of their . They have been invited to visit in very early May 2010 although no date is yet agreed.
b) Les Marcheurs -
An interest was shown in a further visit to Ditton by Les Marcheurs, but no date for their visit had been fixed. Accommodation at the newly opened Maidstone Travelodge was a possibility. Les Marcheurs will be advised what is happening.
c) The possibility of visits by Ditton Twinning Association to France later this year, including a trip for Bastille Day, were raised.
d) The DAMARA Tea Dance is to be held in October 2010 and members of Vivre Son Age should be invited once the date is confirmed.
e) Ditton Minors Under-Twelves Football Club will not now be taking a team to Rang-du-Fliers for a match due to the age difference between the two sides.
f) An Indoor Boot Fair to raise funds for the Association is planned for Sunday 24th October 2010.
g) An approach from Rang-du-Fliers suggested that members of the Jumelage may like to visit England at the time of the Olympic Games in 2012. It was pointed out that travel to this area, and local hotels, would be heavily booked, probably well in advance of the games. It was suggested that a Short Mat Bowls Match could be arranged.
The date for the next meeting of Ditton Twinning Association is Wednesday, 7th April 2010 at 7.00 p.m.
Activities Update - 2009
PETANQUE, 12th September 2009 - 17 French guests travelled to Ditton for the 3rd match, on what was to turn out to be a lovely late summer’s day. They were hosted by 31 English folk representing Ditton Pétanque Club and the Ditton Twinning Association (DTA).
Our French visitors were given coffee, tea and fruit juice drinks on arrival together with various types of pastries and were formally welcomed by Mike Porter and Mike Atkinson.
The match was played under International Pétanque rules, with triples playing two balls each.
The Pétanque Club players provided various salad dishes to go with the pre-arranged buffet lunch. Pitchers of various English ales from the Kilnbarn bar were organised and these went down well with the French, particularly as the day was becoming quite warm.
Although Ditton had won some games, it wasn’t unexpected that Rang-du-Fliers yet again retained the twinning cup for another year.
Early supper was jacket potatoes with various fillings and more ale from the bar.
Once again it was a very enjoyable day, turning out to be another successful twinning event.
On the catering front, Monica would like to thank all those from the Pétanque Club and the DTA who came along to help and provide their dishes for the day’s food.
She would also like to thank the Caretaking Staff at the Community Centre for their help prior to and on the day.
BASTILLE DAY CELEBRATIONS, 13th/14th JULY 2009 - Twinning members went to this successful and convivial event. After the dinner on the Monday, a magnificent display of fireworks was watched by a large crowd. The excellent lunch on the Tuesday at La Barrière was greatly enjoyed by all who attended, and gave members a chance to socialise with members of the Rang-du-Fliers Twinning Committee, together with staff from the Mairie and the Office de Tourisme.
DITTON MINORS F.C. VISIT A.S. RANG-DU-FLIERS - Ditton Minors FC under 14s team visited Rang-du-Fliers over the first weekend in November 2008 for a game of football. This trip was organised with the help of the twinning association and team manager Ian Dennison, together with his wife, Kay.
The weekend began with an early start from Ditton at 5am on the Saturday morning to make the ferry crossing to Calais, in a hired mini bus and people carrier to carry the full squad of sixteen players, together with DMFC chairman Graham West, his wife Sandra, along with six parents from the team. Unfortunately as soon as the ferry docked the weather changed and the rest of the day saw no let up in the rain; however this did not dampen the teams’ spirit and a competitive, but friendly game kicked off at the Complex Sportif, Rang-du-Fliers in front of a small, but very wet crowd.
The game turned out to be very one sided in Ditton’s favour with the final score being 10 – 0, with goals from Sam Madden 4, Rhys Hart 2, David Henn 2, Ethan Ansell and Billy Stephens.
After the match both teams exchanged trophies, and Ditton Minors team captain, Oliver Clarkson also presented the players and officials from Rang-du-Fliers with commemorative medals. The evening was completed with a meal and reception nearby, and an invitation to attend the Ditton Minors FC 5-a-side tournament over the early May Bank Holiday weekend 2009 has been offered.
BASTILLE DAY - Some members made individual arrangements to attend the ceremony on 14 July 2008 at Rang du Fliers. Both the Sunday and Monday were pleasant occasions and the weather was mainly kind.
Visit to the Short Mat Bowls Club – 18th June 2008 was the date for French guests to come here. Ditton had again retained the Coupe d’Amitié, and, following the match, an excellent meal at the Castle Lake Restaurant, Leybourne was enjoyed by all.
SCHOOLS VISIT– to Rang du Fliers on 14th June 2008 by Ditton Infant and Junior Schools. Two coaches with children, teachers and parents made the trip with splendid weather. Click here for some photographs and a report.
VISIT BY LES MARCHEURS (a walking group) - to Ditton for
the weekend 17/18 May 2008. The visit went off very well, despite the weather. Click here for some photographs and a report.
New Chairman. Barbara Matthews, who has been the Association's Chair for some time now wished to stand down. Mike Atkinson was duly appointed as Chair for the 2008/2009 period. Our grateful thanks to Barbara for all her hard work for the Association over the years and it was unanimously agreed that she has presided over many extremely successful events during her term of office.
BOWLS FRIENDSHIP TROPHY - The JT Bowls Club visited Rang in March 2008 and won the Trophy. A return match has been arranged in Ditton on 12th June 2008 with about 11 French guests expected.
Tea Dance at Ditton, 16 April 2008 - [Report by Mike Atkinson] "A flying start was made by having access to the Bowls Club on the Tuesday evening, allowing guest tables to be set with tablecloths, cutlery, carafes, and glasses, and for the self service buffet tables to be organised in readiness for the following day.
Angela and the volunteers (none of whom appeared from DAMARA!) were all in place early Wednesday morning, and everybody was soon involved in the preparation of the food and other tasks in prior to the lunch. A check was made over at the Parish Office before the expected time of arrival of our guests to ensure that the Kiln Barn Club would be available for refreshments, but this proved not to be so. Apparently, the pipes are cleaned through on Wednesday mornings. However, this small crisis was overcome and alternative arrangements put in place.
Shortly after returning to the Bowls Club, it came as something of a surprise to see two or three of the French guys showing interest in the quality of the grass on the green. The good citizens had arrived earlier than expected. Barbara and Mike went across to the Oaken Hall where our guests were already relaxing with refreshment, and being hosted by Pat and Trevor Brimsted from DAMARA.
Shortly before noon, everybody made their way to the Bowls Club, where everything was laid ready to sit down and tuck in. The buffet looked absolutely first class and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The atmosphere was extremely convivial, and the setting was ideal in respect of both size of the venue and the outlook over the bowling green. The "charmer" from Vivre son Age, Jean Boubet, took the initiative in identifying the organiser of the lunch, and duly expressed public appreciation of Angela's efforts and hard work in co-ordinating everything. Luckily, he wasn't aware of Angela's sleepless night beforehand, otherwise he might .have added a few more chosen words.
Back in the Oaken Hall, the remainder of the afternoon was enjoyed by all present. The music for dancing was provided by the Two Jays, a very accomplished couple who have an extensive repertoire of entertainment. The ample refreshments were provided by some of the DAMARA ladies
Our guests departed around 4.30, in good time to get the Shuttle back to France. They each and everyone expressed their appreciation of a happy day.
I will conclude by thanking Angela and acknowledging her considerable contribution to the success of the lunch and ultimately of the day. Thanks also to John and Audrey, Betty and Mike, Barbara and Val for their assistance in preparing the lunch. Thanks are also due to Maralyn and Tony Mulcuck for their help and support on the day."
Activities Update, September/October 2007.
The JT Indoor Bowls Club traveled to Rang-du-Fliers on 26th September 2007. 10 people traveled, arriving at 11.15am to be greeted with coffee and calvados. After playing 3 mats, everyone sat down to a meal together; food and wine were plentiful. It was a very enjoyable day with a happy atmosphere, even though the visiting team lost the match. A champagne toast was made during the presentation of the trophy; this was followed by singing and dancing. It is possible that the Kent County Indoor Bowls Club may consider inviting the Rang-du-Fliers Club to participate in a future event.
Activities Update, July/August 2007.
Representatives from Ditton visited Rang du Fliers and participated in the Bastille Day Ceremony on 14th July 2007. For Jose Collette, the Rang du Fliers' Mayor, Bastille Day Speech, please click here; for photographs of the day, please click here.
A
group of 11 people from the Vivre Son Age club in Rang-du-Fliers came
across on Saturday, 28th July to play Short Mat Bowls at the Community
Centre. This followed on from us playing French Boules on our last visit
and offering to show our French friends short mat bowls. The French
visitors were welcomed with coffee and danish pastries upon arrival (which
was 8.30am instead of 10.00am as expected!) They played bowls all morning,
were taken to lunch at The Wealden Hall, then more bowls. The Friendship
Cup was narrowly won by Ditton this time, but will be taken across to
Rang-du-Fliers on 26th September 2007, for a return match. It is hoped
that these exchanges between the two clubs will take place every two months.
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Above are a couple of photographs taken during the bowls match: one showing
the players in action and one of the Friendship cup and souvenir shields
which were given to each visitor. The bottle of Courvoisier also in the
picture was won in the raffle by one of the Vivre Son Age visitors.
DITTON TWINNING ASSOCIATION -- Activities Update, May 2007.
The Annual General Meeting of the association was held on 16 May 2007. Here are some key details and dates from that meeting.
- Twinning
Association members visited Rang-du-Fliers
on 21st March 2007, to attend the Annual Senior Dancing Lunch in the
Salle Bleue. A very enjoyable day was experienced and the date for next
year's similar event will be 5th March 2008.
- Ditton
Infant School is planning a visit to Rang-du-Fliers on 9th June 2007.
- Bastille
Day Celebrations 2007 are on 13th-14th July this year. Some fourteen
people will be traveling to Rang-du-Fliers on 13th July 2007 and Ditton
will be represented by the Parish Council and the Twinning Association,
who will both lay a floral tribute either at the War Memorial or the
Place de Paix on the morning of 14th.
- The
Twinning Association's Christmas Craft Fair will be held on Saturday
7th November 2007.
- Twinning Association Committee and Officers 2007: Chair - Barbara Matthews; Vice-Chair - John Beadle; Secretary & Co-ordinator: Eileen Jones; Treasurer - Colin Stanley. Natalie Marnham and Sylvie Bartlett Rawlings will assist in other ways with translation or communications with Rang-du-Fliers.
For more information about the Twinning Association and to see how you can get involved, please contact Eileen Jones (Secretary), email here. For information about older twinning visits and events, please click here.
