Twinning with Doudeville

Twinning with Doudeville

Doudeville montage

Twinning burgeoned after the end of the Second World War in 1945 and became the catalyst for the peoples of many nations to befriend others around the world and to become familiar with their way of life, their customs and their heritage.

The object of this international arrangement has been to enable two towns in different countries, usually similar in some way, such as size or industrial make-up, to become formally associated by engaging in reciprocal cultural visits to ensure that their ties become closer as the years progress. Bourne came late to this arrangement and it was only in recent years that links were established with Doudeville in France, more of a large village than a town, and situated about thirty miles inland from Dieppe in Normandy.

The link began with an exchange visit between the Robert Manning School [now Bourne Academy] and the senior school in Doudeville and was developed under the chairmanship of the school's head teacher Mr Michael Kee. Then in October 1989, a coach took visitors from Bourne to the French town where the twinning agreement was signed by the Mayor of Bourne, Councillor Mrs Mary Parker, and the Mayor of Doudeville, M Raymond Laroche.

Around ninety people eventually belonged to the Bourne Twinning Association which celebrated its tenth twinning anniversary at the end of May 1999 with a trip across the English Channel for a long weekend bearing gifts for their hosts to celebrate the occasion, a glass paperweight for each of the 28 hosting families and a magnificent rose bowl for the civic collection in Doudeville Town Hall, all engraved by the Hanthorpe artist and glass engraver Terry Barnatt.

The rose bowl was exceptionally beautiful and the engraved scenes included the Red Hall, the Abbey Church, Baldock's Mill and local wildlife including a deer and a pheasant. Thirty-eight members of the association who made the trip arrived in Doudeville to find a red carpet rolled out in their honour and the town festooned with flags and coloured balloons. They were royally entertained by the welcoming party who kept the champagne flowing throughout their stay and during the celebrations, the town band played and the Mayor of Doudeville, M Louison Tartarin, signed friendship documents with Councillor Mrs Marjorie Clark, who was then the Mayor of Bourne.

The twinning rose bowl engraved by Terry Barnatt

Further exchanges marked the millennium year 2000 when French families came to Bourne and were presented with a tapestry to hang in the town hall at Doudeville. It was designed by Bill Normington, a good friend of the association, and worked by others with nimble fingers, consisting of twelve squares showing important buildings in Bourne and the town's coat of arms.

The association celebrated its 20th anniversary with a long weekend visit by coach to Doudeville, once again taking gifts for their hosts, this time a large framed mirror to hang in the newly refurbished town hall and bearing the coat of arms of both towns together with the dates 1989-2009.

These activities were all the more commendable when you realise that the association was entirely independent and received no public money and was responsible for its own fund raising with events throughout the year that not only came up with the required cash but also kept the members keen and enthusiastic about their Gallic friends. The English are reputed to have a reluctance to learn foreign languages but this did not present a social obstacle during the many exchange visits.

The association was always on the lookout for new recruits, whether they were singles, couples or families, but many were not sure whether they would enjoy it and were reluctant to take that first step towards membership. Former secretary and stalwart member Mrs Betty James was always ready to dispel any doubts. “We tried to find people who enjoyed France and the French way of life”, she said, “families with children who were learning French at school and those who fancied taking it up as a hobby, people who loved their food, retired people who had time to pursue their dreams and those folk who just liked a bit of fun in their lives. To summarise, anyone and everyone was welcome, newcomers to the town particularly because twinning was a wonderful way of getting to know people and they would not feel newcomers for very much longer.”

Betty was always quick to dispel any misgivings people may have had about a possible language barrier. "These problems just did not exist“, she said. “Somehow, we all managed to understand each other, often resulting in hilarious situations with lots of laughter. Our association was just like one big happy family and although fund raising was an ongoing necessity, these enjoyable get-togethers ensured that members on both sides of the Channel keep in regular contact to ensure that the twinning flame continued to burn brightly in Bourne.”

But it was not to last. Times have changed, communications through international travel and the Internet have made contact easier while economic conditions have added to the problems of many families and swapping visits no longer has the same appeal.

In April 2015, the Bourne Twinning Association therefore decided to close and its funds were distributed to various local charities although the town will continue to maintain links with Doudeville but on a more informal basis but it is certain that the entente cordiale established between families on both sides of the channel will never be lost.

A WEEKEND IN DOUDEVILLE

At Easter 1995, a coach party from Bourne visited Doudeville for a weekend of celebration to mark the twinning link and this account was written by Betty James and published by The Local newspaper on Thursday 27th April.

FANTASTIQUE, merveilleux, magnifique! These were just a few of the words which 49 members of Boume Twinning Association used to describe their Easter weekend at Doudeville, the pretty little French town in Normandy, with which Boume is twinned.
Leaving the Red Hall, Boume, just after lunch on Good Friday, we were all in high spirits. The atmosphere in the coach likened to a group of children on a Sunday school outing, all excited with the thoughts of what was to come. The outward journey down to Newhaven passed quickly and pleasantly, with chairman Marjorie Clark and committee member Mary Parker proving to be the winners of the light-hearted quiz which Jim and I had had much fun in compiling (very few people knew that grocer John Smith's second Christian name is Annible). Everything was going according to plan when disappointment struck. One hour delay before the ferry sailed out of the little port of Newhaven, an almost empty boat if it hadn't been for what seemed like the entire population of French schoolchildren aboard.
Regrettably, the Stenna Antrim, rarely used for this four hours plus crossing, could only boast a cafeteria operation, so out of the window went the hopes of that lovely leisurely meal in a pleasant restaurant! C'est la vie!
It was almost 2.30 am before we pulled up outside Doudeville's impressive town hall, and, as if by magic, the doors were flung open and out poured all our French hosts, who almost devoured us with hugs and kisses. Following refreshments and a few short speeches of welcome, it was eventually home to hit the hay.
Easter Saturday dawned far too early, but not to worry. A nice leisurely day with our hosts lay ahead. For most of us, this meant a sumptuous lunch at home, an afternoon of socialising with more food and drink and then another sumptuous dinner at Lac de Cany, not far from Doudeville.
For those who could stagger from their tables, it was dancing until the wee small hours and yet we were all on top form for an early 8 am start trip to Gay Paree on Easter Sunday. What a super day this turned out to be!
A trip on the Seine by Bateau Mouche and a coach tour of many famous sights before yet another big meal at a restaurant in the heart of Paris. We were absolutely bowled over by such generous hospitality. More sight-seeing followed, Notre Dame, Les Invalides, the Louvre, P1ace de la Concorde, Arc de Triomphe, Les Champs Elysses and so much more. Paris was very cold that day but it didn't seem to matter, we HAD to see everything!
Back to Doudeville for around 8 pm, no time to change and straight into the Town Hall for aperitifs and another enjoyable meal with wine in abundance. The presentation of a Brown Betty (a typically English brown teapot) to each individual host went down very well indeed, this being followed by the Bourne Twinning Association's "choir" under the leadership of Caroline Chadderton rendering "I like a nice cup of tea in the morning" and "I'm a little teapot, small and stout". What else could you expect from the mad English?
As they say, all good things have to come to an end and so it was on Easter Monday at 1.30 pm when we bade farewell to a cold and rainy Doudeville but all those sad farewells reflected the deep and lasting friendships that have arisen since the formation of the Bourne Twinning Association in 1989.
Possibly the understatement of the year, the Channel was decidedly choppy for our return ferry crossing. Quite a few twinners experienced mal de mer very badly and, not surprisingly, on rejoining our coach, Jim's suggestions of singing a few sea shanties and stopping for fish, chips and mushy peas did not go down at all well.
Our weekend in a nutshell! Yet another example of French hospitality, which, this year, if it were possible, has surpassed all others.
Finally, just a little note on which to finish: twinning members, John and Nin Bushell (who both celebrated their birthdays during the weekend), had always wanted to see Paris in the spring. In spite of recent health problems, John was determined to make this trip and together with Nin's unfailing support and the helpfulness of fellow twinners, they achieved this life long ambition. We applaud their efforts and admire them greatly.

REVISED APRIL 2015