2009 saw the formation of the Swanland Twinning Association at an inaugural General Meeting in March. Memberships were invited from interested parties and we now have 28 family and individual members numbering 53 in total. We decided to hold two or three events per year not including our actual twinning visits with Lestrem.

On July 14th Bastille Day we had a boules evening and fish and chips supper at Hessle Tennis Club as they have a boules court in situ.

On February 5th 2010 we had a musical evening and two course meal at Swanland Nurseries. Music was supplied by ‘Three for the Road’, a Cottingham trio including two of our own membership. Guest artistes were Shirley and John Waters with friends Carol and Brian Crossland, and local teacher David Thomas singing and playing the Welsh Harp.

These very successful occasions has stimulated interest in our Association and we look forward to further good times ahead.

Our 2010 membership has remained at approximately 50 members. True to our aims we organised two events this year.

For the second occasion we had a boules evening at Hessle Tennis club and despite disappointing weather, a good time was had by all in attendance.In January of 2011 a joint venture with Swanland Wildlife took place at the School. Many thanks for their cooperation in staging this event. A talk was given by Mr and Mrs Nethercoat of Beverley Natural History group on the ‘Wildlife of the Cevennes’ in France. The 30 people in the audience enjoyed this informative illustrated talk.
Last May 2010, 40 Swanlanders visited Lestrem for the 10th Anniversary weekend which included junior soccer played between our two villages, a visit to an art exhibition,a guided walk of the area and a communal meal at which presents were exchanged to celebrate the ten years of twinning. We were given an engraved vase and each member of the party received a photo card containing hundreds of photos depicting the twinning over the years. Swanland presented the mayor of Lestrem with a newly designed flag for Swanland.

This year 2011 Lestrem are to come to Swanland from 11th to the 13th June. We shall also hold a communal meal in the Village hall one evening and the other evening will be a barn dance. Members of the group will walk the 3rd part of the Wolds Way or take part in a visit to the Hull museums, shops and marina. Anyone wishing to be involved is very welcome and should contact me on 632652.

On a very sad note, however, on January 1st 2011. our President and founder Dr Malcolm Thompson passed away. Looking back we are pleased that Malcolm managed to come with us to Lestrem last May for his final visit and hopefully to see that Twinning is left in a healthy situation. We shall miss his advice and the humour that he always maintained but we can be forever grateful for the times spent together.

Our AGM for 2011 will be held on March 7th in Christ Church at 7.30pm. We are keen to attract new committee members if you are interested whether or not you can attend the meeting. Please get in touch with me if you are available. We shall also need hosts for the party coming in June – if you have the room for visitors in June, again please contact me. Thank you.

Brendan Riley (Chairman)