At about 6pm on Sunday 31st July members of the Twinning Club who are hosting our friends from Civray are waiting at the Town Hall the arrival of the coach from Civray. There is anticipation, as for some it will be renewing old friendships, for others it is their first time hosting. Also on this visit there are many new people who have not been to Downham before. A programme of events and trips have been organised and we hope the weather will be good.
When the coach arrives there is a welcoming of our visitors with a reception and families are introduced to their hosts.

Monday morning is free time for the visitors.  Time to rest after the long coach journey or for those who have the energy a chance for their hosts to show them our town. After lunch a trip has been organised to visit Oxborough Hall with tea and cake in the tearooms. For us in the evening is a challenge with entertaining at home a barbecue for 13!  No rain and we all had a pleasant evening. The next morning is a day trip to Nottingham. We are going on the coach with our visitors with two other members.
We gather at the Hollies at the required time. No coach. A phone call and the driver has overslept but is on their way. We set off a little late. Our first stop will be Wollerton Hall and park where we meet our guide for the day and interpreters. On the journey there is much banter from our visitors about Robin Hood.

The Sheriff

The Hog Roast

After lunch a visit to Nottingham Castle has been arranged, Robin Hood does not feature in the itinerary, but after our meal the guide takes us to the outside of Robin Hood World where we find Maid Marion is at home and the Sheriff of Nottingham. The French are pleased to meet these characters. It has been a warm and sunny day and our visitors appear to have enjoyed their day out. For us tonight we have been invited out with our guests and we spend another enjoyable evening with fine weather
Wednesday morning is free and after lunch a trip by coach to Hunstanton. In the evening a Hog Roast has been arranged at the Montessori School at Stow Bardolph. Again the weather is sunny and fine.
The next day trip on Thursday is not so far, going to Bury St Edmunds. The morning is two trips, One to the Abbey and the other to Bury St Edmunds Theatre. After the trip our guests have free time to lunch and wander round the shops. Again in the evening we are out with and enjoy a meal with our friends.
Friday morning. It’s raining! A chance for a walk around the market followed by the Town Council reception in the Town Hall for the official welcome to Downham Market. There are a few speeches from officials from Civray and Downham Market. Outside the rain has stopped and in the afternoon a visit to Welney Wildlife for their summer walk with a guide has been organised. The sun is now shining and its warm! Many of our hosts are also joining our friends from Civray. We have a guide who takes into the main large hide before we start the summer walk. The weather stays fine and warm.
In the evening is a dinner and dance at Barroway Drove Village Hall. This is the last event organised by the club and the next two days over the weekend are free for hosts to entertain their guests.
Our guests have been to Downham with the club many times. We decided to visit Ely and had booked a restaurant to take our guests to at lunchtime. On Sunday morning we went into Kings Lynn and had a walk along the quay before returning back to Downham and then for the afternoon to friends for a barbecue.
Monday morning arrives and the coach departs for Civray from the playing fields. There are many au revoirs and sadly the coach is gone. At home the house seems empty. We are tired but happy from our week and the weather has been good for us in particular for the events organised outdoors. We hope to see many of our new friends again in Downham in 2007 but before then next August to renew friendships in Civray.