Dear Friends,
It’s been a while and unsurprisingly, there isn’t much news of the year so far, but I thought it important to keep in touch and there are things to tell you about!
First of all, we are delighted to announce that Anna Harper has been named as a winner in the Community Champion section in the Thame Lockdown Love Awards. This is taken from the Town Council website:
“Anna is the youngest member of the Thame Twinning Association. When our annual visit from Montesson was cancelled in May, Anna not only suggested linking with our French friends on Zoom, she also produced a very detailed and user friendly guide for our older members to teach them how to use Zoom and enlisted the help of her younger brother Matthew, to set up and manage 2 chat rooms to enable more chat. Around 25 English and French families were able to connect thanks to their help and expertise. Other Zoom events will now be taking place thanks to Anna's initial training and patience. The Twinning association is very grateful to her for enabling us to stay connected during this challenging time.”

We are really pleased that Anna has been recognised and thank those of you who supported her nomination.

Take a look at the Town Council website for a list of everyone who has been recognised for their work in the community during the pandemic. https://www.thamerewardsclub.com/copy-of-lockdown-love-awards

The committee has been meeting on Zoom and is very sad and disappointed that all of our events both Twinning and in the wider community have been and continue to be cancelled. However, conscious that we are likely to find ourselves in this situation for some time to come, people are starting to be creative and we’re hopeful that we may be able to get going again, even if only in a small way. Read on!!

FUNDRAISING
Although we’ve had no expenses since last Spring we can’t be complacent and are thinking of ways to raise funds, even though this will inevitably be on a very small scale compared to previous years. Still we will do what we can and for Twinning to survive, we need to remain connected as much as we can. We’ve also got everything crossed that next year’s May visit will go ahead as usual, so we need to be prepared.

  • QUIZ NIGHT - Friday 6th November

This has been on the calendar since November last year and was due to take place in the Town Hall. Clearly that won’t be possible, but we’ve decided to go ahead and do it on Zoom instead. Sue Boyle has been hosting Zoom quizzes since March and is very happy to still do one for us. The attached poster gives you more information and we’re hoping that lots of you will take part. The beauty of the Zoom quiz is that you can form a team with people in different parts of the country or even the world! A great way to remain connected while enjoying a very pleasant evening

  • XMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON

Again this can’t happen in the usual way, but our friends in the Town Hall are looking at ways to have fun in a safe way during Advent. We’re still waiting for final details, but if we think we can take part, we’ll do our best. I’ll let you know more as soon as I can.

  • CRAFTS and GIFTS

In the absence of our usual stalls at the Xmas markets in Montesson and Thame, I’m thinking about the possibility of selling things online to members.

If you can add to the selection of goods for sale, please let me know!

Meanwhile, I’m proposing to make jam from all the blackberries I’ve collected while walking along the Phoenix Trail recently and possibly a tomato and chilli chutney from my home-grown tomatoes. I’m also going to plant up hyacinth bulbs in decorative tin cans and make washable festive face coverings (3 layers and different sizes).

However I will need customers!

Blackberry Jam - £2.50, £2.00 and £1.50 depending on size
Chutney - £1.50
Hyacinth - £1.00 (selection from last year in photo)
Face Covering - £5.00 (variety of Christmas fabrics )

Just send me an email or call me to order. (01844 213415)
I can deliver and you can transfer payment to the Twinning bank account or let Liz or me have a cheque / cash.

  • FILM NIGHTS

While awaiting the resumption of normal service, it has been suggested that those interested could download / stream a chosen film, watch it at the same time in their own home and then join a Zoom call afterwards to discuss it.

What do you think? Let me know and we will pursue the idea.

 

REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY
The usual parade and wreath laying ceremony will not be happening, but we have ordered a wreath and it will be laid at the war memorial. Arrangements are still being finalised, but it is likely that all the wreathes will be taken firstly to St Mary’s Church for a special service and then placed on the War Memorial. This is still to be confirmed.

 

ZOOM CAROLS
Is this possible?

Bring your own mince pies and mulled wine to your sitting room!

We’re thinking that we could share a Zoom meeting with Montesson and we could sing carols both in English and French by sharing copies of the words. This is still very much an idea, but I thought I should warn you! It could be fun and as close to a Twinning Christmas Party as we’re going to get this year.

 

I think that’s about it. Lots of things for you to think about and I need your feedback so that we can plan effectively.

Please let me know about:

  • Quiz Night
  • Jam, Chutney, Hyacinths and Face coverings
  • Films
  • Carols

Meanwhile, please take care and stay safe.

Très amicalement
Sue and the committee