BURWELL VILLAGE TWINNING ASSOCIATION

16 Aug 2005 - Burwell to Lizy, April/May 2005

Some comments from new BVTA 'twinners' on their first visit to Lizy

Three new 'twinners' decided that they would like to share their memories of a first visit to Lizy, and these three pieces were also published in 'Clunch' magazine.

Burwell to Lizy trip, April/May 2005

As the coach drew nearer to the place where I was being dropped off I found myself increasingly nervous. What on earth was I doing subjecting myself to staying with people I didn't know (and may not get on with) and with whom I would have to speak in a language that I was far from comfortable in, let alone fluent?

But I needn't have worried. Within half an hour of meeting my hostess I was comfortable. All credit to the organisers at this end for matching us so well. We had interests in common and were soon talking in a mixture of broken French and English - perfection wasn't needed - just communication. The family made me very welcome and the organisation of the whole trip was such that nothing was too arduous, and the activities were carefully balanced. The first evening was with the hosts, but the second day we all met up again and went on a group visit to Fontainebleau. This gave you the opportunity to relax into English again if you wished. The evening was spent with the host families. On the Sunday things were reversed; you spent the day with the family being as strenuous or relaxed as you wished and then met up with the rest of the group for a communal meal in the evening. This was followed by a very French singing and dancing event. Great fun!

So all my fears were as nothing; a lovely weekend, meeting some delightful people; getting a real feel of what it's like to live in the country of our nearest "foreign" neighbours and as a bonus renewing a friendship with a fellow traveller.

I can thoroughly recommend twinning.

Brenda Wilson, Burwell

As an old resident of Burwell (some 31 yrs ago) I was pleasantly surprised when my life long friend and now neighbour, Jonathan Hardy (Newmarket), suggested joining the Burwell Village Twinning Association for the trip to Lizy-sur Ourcq. The Monday evening before we went to France (on the Friday), we all met at the bell ringers' watering hole The Five Bells pub.

The trip was well organised and the coach driver was a very happy jolly sort of person, even though it was an early start, for good reason - it was a long journey, but with convenient breaks along the way.

It was a pleasant experience to stay with a French family off the tourist trek, and the language isn't a barrier - it's fun communicating by various means. For those of us who only speak our native tongue and perhaps a few words of some other languages, it was still enjoyable.

The nice thing is that we are hosted with local families and they are hosted by us in return, just for a long week end. You get to see the real France and they get to see the real England and over time you make friends, as many people seem to return year after year.

There is a lot to be said for good wine, food, and above all good company, which we had during the whole weekend. You do some sight-seeing as a group and with your host family, which means everyone has different and varied experience to share at the Sunday night "social event", where a good time is had by all. The trip is what you make it, and if you have never set foot out side the UK, or travel frequently, I think you would enjoy it. I had a very enjoyable time, as did every one else and I felt our hosts did too.

Edmund Black, Newmarket

For Anne this was her second and for me, Tony, my first exchange visit. It was brilliant from beginning to end. The coach travel was smooth and we arrived slightly ahead of schedule in Lizy.

A welcoming reception was laid on, then it was off with our hosts, Phillipe, Isabelle and their young daughter Jade.

It was their first time as hosts and we could not have been better received. A very relaxing evening meal rounded off our first night in France.

Saturday was the combined outing to Fontainebleau Château. This royal residence is full of history that was explained by excellent guides, as we split into parties according to mother-tongue. After this there was time to enjoy a walk around the town giving us lots to talk about over dinner with our hosts.

On Sunday morning we explored the centre of Lizy and found a beautiful old mill. The afternoon was spent visiting Reims and meeting Phillipe's relatives. Our last evening was the occasion of the exchange 'celebration' held at the Mairie; plenty of food and entertainment.

With new friendships formed it was hard to say goodbye but Calais, shopping and Burwell beckoned. One last comment, don't be concerned if like me you don't speak French, plenty do and it's really not necessary when a lively five year old is one of your hosts!

Tony and Anne Warford, Burwell