2014 Visit To Old Catton

REPORT ON THE 2014 VISIT

We met up with our French friends from Lavaré at a welcome drink on Wednesday 28th May, before they went off with their hosts for the evening and a well earned rest from travelling. (23 Adults and 10 children)

The next day saw an early departure from the Recreation Ground Car Park, en route for The English Whisky Company Distillery near Attleborough. Richard had prepared a translation of the pre-tour video and also of the tour itself, which was much appreciated. And the Whisky tasting went down especially well with quite a few bottles bought to take back to France.

The picnic lunch was in Bury St Edmunds at a lovely and very well appointed community centre, which was all decked out in flags from across the world, ready for the football World Cup. A great atmosphere, perhaps due in part to the fact that the bar was also open for drinks and coffees.

Then it was on to Bury St Edmunds town centre where the rain managed to stay away and the afternoon was mostly sunny. First we visited St Edmundsbury Cathedral and then had a stroll around the beautiful and peaceful Cathedral Gardens, others went shopping. We left around 4pm to head back to Old Catton for an evening with hosts.

Friday morning started with a visit to Davenports Magic Kingdom and magic show. Great for the French kids and the older kids among us! VERY well received. Lunch was in the centre of North Walsham and then in the afternoon, we moved on to the museum of the broads. The weather was really great, with a lovely sunny afternoon which meant that the group wasn't too interested in the museum, preferring instead to sit quietly in a very tranquil setting chatting and in many cases having a quiet afternoon snooze. A great time for old and new friends to chill out together.

The Soirée started at 7pm on Friday evening at the Hellesdon Community Hall with 75 attending. Tresal Catering provided all the set-up, food and clear-up. The food was fantastic and the French were very complimentary. Good French wine also helped the evening flow smoothly! There were the usual speeches and exchange of presents and it was very clear from all present that the bond between the two communities remains as strong as ever.

As Chairman, I personally thank all of you who were involved in some way, from work on the committee to hosting our friends from Lavaré. I received a very heartfelt phone call on the Monday morning from Nicolas (The French Mayor) to say that they had all arrived safely back in Lavaré on the Sunday evening and thanking us for a wonderful time.

A lot of fun was had by all, and if you are from Old Catton and the surrounding area, and you would like to put some Va Va Voom in your social life, then please pick up the phone and chat with us. I can promise you that we don't bite! I can also promise you that members of the Old Catton Twinning Association have a LOT of fun!

MAIN TRIP INFORMATION

Wed 28th May

Arrival and Reception - drinks & nibbles when French arrive at Pavilion, Recreation Ground.

Meal + evening with host families

Thurs 29th May

English Whisky Co (AM)

http://www.englishwhisky.co.uk/

St Georges Distillery - Home to the English Whisky Co - guided tour of the distillery 

PICNIC LUNCH

Visit to Bury St Edmunds (PM)

http://www.visit-burystedmunds.co.uk/

Magnificent and awe inspiring, Suffolk’s only cathedral, with stunning Millennium tower  

St Edmundsbury Cathedral

14:00 at Cathedral

http://www.stedscathedral.co.uk/

Rest of time, visit Bury Town Centre

18:00 RETURN  Meal + evening with host families

Fri 30th May

Davenport's Magic Kingdom (Afternoon) (AM) Tour at 10:00

Http://http://davenportsmagickingdom.co.uk/

Davenport’s Magic Kingdom opened in May 2013 and is already a top-rated attraction on the Trip Advisor website. Discover the history of conjuring and the place of one unique family in its story.  There are all sorts of astonishing things happening throughout the From Witches to Wonder exhibition and live magic entertainment is included in your ticket price.You are also welcome to visit the Ace to Eat Café and The Magic Emporium without an entry ticket.  Magicians are usually to be found entertaining in the café and demonstrating in the emporium!

PICNIC LUNCH

Museum of The Broads (PM)

http://www.museumofthebroads.org.uk/

Visit to the only waterside museum of Broadland life in a tranquil and picturesque location at Stalham Staithe. Discover the boats of the Broads and see how people's working lives shaped the landscape. 

Party Night (Soirée)

19:00 - 23:30

Aperitif 19:00, Hellesdon Community Centre

3 course evening meal with wine

Music & dancing to the Denbarry Duo

Sat 31st May

Free Day with guests – join with one or more other host families to do something. (Journée libre avec hôtes)

Sun 1st June

08:00 French guests depart from the Recreation Ground.