Twinning
RFW, representing Corby, has been twinned since 1972 with cycling clubs in Velbert – Germany and Châtellerault – France. The three clubs take it in turn to host an annual week-end of leisure and sporting cycling, and social events - reacquainting with old friends and making new.
2017 Twinning Report - Châtellerault - France
by Eileen Doherty
RFW Cycling Club in Corby has been twinning annually since 1972 with Velbert – Germany and Châtellerault – France. The three towns take it in turn to host and invite the other two towns to take part in a cycling week-end and meet many friends old and new. This year Chatelleralt hosted the event from 07 July to 10 July inclusive.
Five club members plus two cars decided to go to Châtellerault – Norman Needham (Organiser), Peter Nix, Pete Bradshaw, Nathan Joyce and Eileen Doherty. Friday 07 July 2017 - 4.15am (!) We set out on our journey towards the Eurotunnel to arrive around 7.00am after going through passport control we boarded the train. The train arrived in France approx. 9.15am. We drove towards Châtellerault having only a few hiccups on the way with navigation!! Apart from that it was a good journey and arrived in Châtellerault at 3.00pm. As we arrived early we drove direct to Norman's hosts Catherine and Philippe (long-term friends through the twinning). Peter, Pete and Nathan decided to ride bearing in mind it was around 32ºC Norman and I went in the car and they followed on their bikes through the lanes for about two hours then back to Catherine’s house showered ready for the next step. 6.00pm We headed towards the Town Hall to meet the Germans and the hosts with their families. 8.00pm All the hosts and families, Germans and English made their way to Targé village hall. We were welcomed with apéritifs, followed by wine, buffet, cheese and desert, all prepared by the Châtellerault club members. (This was the start of many meals) |
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Saturday 08 July 2017 - 09.30am
We all met at the L’Europe car park for a gentle 30Km (19 miles) ride through the lanes (good ride everybody rode together). Norman and I cycled 37km (23 miles) average 14 mph due to us riding to and from the host house. After the ride it was arranged that we all meet in Targé around 12.30pm for a meal – apéritifs, plus 3 courses as per Friday night. The French had organised an evening cycle race in Poitier -Biard at 6.30pm weather very hot. Norman had entered all three riders. Peter, Pete and Nathan rode for about 1.50 hours around the town. (See attached photographs of the stars from RFW).
After the race we all were invited back to David and Alexandrine house for a meal which included apéritifs, BBQ with buffet plus wine. Around 11.00pm there was a fire work display in the village.
Sunday 09 July 2017 – 9.30am
A gentle ride 30Km (19 miles) was arranged from the L’Europe car park taking in the countryside. Nathan and Pete Bradshaw upped the pace a notch by leading the group with a few French riders no surprise there. All riders including Norman and me stopped for drinks at Michel and Martines house. Arriving back to the car park a few photos were taken. Norman and I rode 44km (27 miles average 14.50 mph) as we cycled from home. Meal time again 12.30pm in Targé and yes it was same layout as above. In the afternoon the hosts and guests went for a walk around Châtellerault. It rained and I mean it was hailstones for a while but this did not spool the week-end. Norman and I went back to Catherine’s as her daughter Emeline and family was coming to see to see us (I met Emeline on a previous twinning event) lovely afternoon
08.00pm As the week-end was coming to a close all the hosts and guests attended a farewell meal in Targé which included - aperitifs, wine, and 3 course meal etc.
When the meal was over the 3 presidents from each town - Michel (Châtellerault), Helmut (Velbert) and Norman (RFW Corby ) as Michel hosted the event he spoke first and thanked everybody for coming and hoped they enjoyed the week-end and look forward to continuing the twinning for years to come. Both Helmet and Norman followed by saying big thank you to Michel and all the hosts and not forgetting all the people who helped with the catering over the week-end. They then as a twinning hospitality exchanged small gifts for their club. At the end of Norman speech he said as it was Corby’s turn next year to host the cycling event and on behalf the RFW club invited both Châtellerault and Velbert to Corby in 2018.
Monday 10 July 2017 – 09.00am
The hosts and their guests arrived at the L’Europe car park a final farewell photograph was taken. (see photograph) the French wished both the English and Germans a safe journey home and said they were looking forward to coming to Corby next year.
We headed towards the Eurotunnel driving for about 3 hours we stopped at Gacé where Peter, Pete and Nathan cycled for about 3 hours around the lanes led by Peter Nix who had cycled in that area before. Norman and I went for lunch and I went for a walk around the town. After the ride we proceeded towards the Eurotunnel. Around 9.45pm we all arrived home safe.
It was a very busy week-end, but the weather was good to us, and we all enjoyed good cycling and not to mention all the good food. What a great week-end.
Special thanks to Norman Needham for organising/liaising with the French for such a great week-end in Châtellerault 2017.
Eileen
We all met at the L’Europe car park for a gentle 30Km (19 miles) ride through the lanes (good ride everybody rode together). Norman and I cycled 37km (23 miles) average 14 mph due to us riding to and from the host house. After the ride it was arranged that we all meet in Targé around 12.30pm for a meal – apéritifs, plus 3 courses as per Friday night. The French had organised an evening cycle race in Poitier -Biard at 6.30pm weather very hot. Norman had entered all three riders. Peter, Pete and Nathan rode for about 1.50 hours around the town. (See attached photographs of the stars from RFW).
After the race we all were invited back to David and Alexandrine house for a meal which included apéritifs, BBQ with buffet plus wine. Around 11.00pm there was a fire work display in the village.
Sunday 09 July 2017 – 9.30am
A gentle ride 30Km (19 miles) was arranged from the L’Europe car park taking in the countryside. Nathan and Pete Bradshaw upped the pace a notch by leading the group with a few French riders no surprise there. All riders including Norman and me stopped for drinks at Michel and Martines house. Arriving back to the car park a few photos were taken. Norman and I rode 44km (27 miles average 14.50 mph) as we cycled from home. Meal time again 12.30pm in Targé and yes it was same layout as above. In the afternoon the hosts and guests went for a walk around Châtellerault. It rained and I mean it was hailstones for a while but this did not spool the week-end. Norman and I went back to Catherine’s as her daughter Emeline and family was coming to see to see us (I met Emeline on a previous twinning event) lovely afternoon
08.00pm As the week-end was coming to a close all the hosts and guests attended a farewell meal in Targé which included - aperitifs, wine, and 3 course meal etc.
When the meal was over the 3 presidents from each town - Michel (Châtellerault), Helmut (Velbert) and Norman (RFW Corby ) as Michel hosted the event he spoke first and thanked everybody for coming and hoped they enjoyed the week-end and look forward to continuing the twinning for years to come. Both Helmet and Norman followed by saying big thank you to Michel and all the hosts and not forgetting all the people who helped with the catering over the week-end. They then as a twinning hospitality exchanged small gifts for their club. At the end of Norman speech he said as it was Corby’s turn next year to host the cycling event and on behalf the RFW club invited both Châtellerault and Velbert to Corby in 2018.
Monday 10 July 2017 – 09.00am
The hosts and their guests arrived at the L’Europe car park a final farewell photograph was taken. (see photograph) the French wished both the English and Germans a safe journey home and said they were looking forward to coming to Corby next year.
We headed towards the Eurotunnel driving for about 3 hours we stopped at Gacé where Peter, Pete and Nathan cycled for about 3 hours around the lanes led by Peter Nix who had cycled in that area before. Norman and I went for lunch and I went for a walk around the town. After the ride we proceeded towards the Eurotunnel. Around 9.45pm we all arrived home safe.
It was a very busy week-end, but the weather was good to us, and we all enjoyed good cycling and not to mention all the good food. What a great week-end.
Special thanks to Norman Needham for organising/liaising with the French for such a great week-end in Châtellerault 2017.
Eileen
Twinning Information - an Annual Weekend Event
Twinning started in 1972 with RFW visiting Velbert in Germany and staying with fellow cyclists. RFW invited Velbert to Corby in 1973 and also invited French cyclists from Corby's twin town Chatellerault.
RFW have continuously twinned with Velbert and Chaterllerault ever since.
In the early days up to 14 sports from Corby twinned as part of a sports festival. Over the years, as Council support was withdrawn due to lack of funding, other sports club stopped taking part and it ended up with only RFW continuing to maintain the twinning tradition, forming lasting friendships between the three towns cycling fraternity.
RFW have continuously twinned with Velbert and Chaterllerault ever since.
In the early days up to 14 sports from Corby twinned as part of a sports festival. Over the years, as Council support was withdrawn due to lack of funding, other sports club stopped taking part and it ended up with only RFW continuing to maintain the twinning tradition, forming lasting friendships between the three towns cycling fraternity.
This year (2017) RFW has been invited to join our cycling friends in France for the annual twinning event. Last year was hosted by Velbert and in 2018 RFW will be the host for a weekend of cycling, eating and drinking.
Eight members of the RFW are invited to Chatellerault from 7 to 10 July 2017. It is anticipated that the club members will leave the Corby area early hours of the morning on the 7th with two cars of four people. Travelling to Tours, we will stop so that anyone wishing to ride into Chatellerault may do so: it is approx. 40 miles. Arrival estimated at 6pm where a warm welcome awaits and we are greeted by our hosts. Once introduced to your host you will be taken off to settle in to where you will be staying, before meeting up in the evening for drinks. Having enjoyed a weekend full of cycling, socialising, eating and drinking, a final farewell party takes places Sunday evening. Memories made, friendships formed, Facebook pictures loaded.......we leave on Monday morning with an optional three hour cycle ride before lunch. Cars loaded, off to the tunnel, then home late on Monday evening. |
Anyone interested in joining the 2017 event, please let Norman Needham know on 07790 079981 or Pete Jinks on Facebook or 07568 167873 or any committee member. We have 5 expressions of interest at time of publication. If you'd like to come please let us know as soon as you can.
It is anticipated that there will be very little, if any, costs involved as the club donate monies to support the trip and a we have also received a kind sponsorship donation from a club member. All food is covered by the hosts so you just need money for your postcards, drinks and a small token thank you gift for your host to show your appreciation for their hospitality.
Norman has been a major part of keeping the twinning events going over the years; your continued support in keeping this tradition going by joining the event is very welcome. A very enjoyable weekend of cycling in a different location is promised.
It is anticipated that there will be very little, if any, costs involved as the club donate monies to support the trip and a we have also received a kind sponsorship donation from a club member. All food is covered by the hosts so you just need money for your postcards, drinks and a small token thank you gift for your host to show your appreciation for their hospitality.
Norman has been a major part of keeping the twinning events going over the years; your continued support in keeping this tradition going by joining the event is very welcome. A very enjoyable weekend of cycling in a different location is promised.