Events
2025
Sixty Years Young, and Still Going Strong
In late April of this year, the Exeter Twinning Circle was delighted to welcome a group of visitors from Bad Homburg, to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the twinning link between the two cities.
Our German friends brought the fine weather with them. The sun shone every day from Tuesday 29 April, when they arrived, until Monday 5 May, when they left – ideal conditions for the informal garden party that was held in Beryl Whidden’s garden on the Tuesday evening.
Alexander Hetjes, Bad Homburg’s Oberbürgermeister (Mayor), and his colleague, Ralf Gehrsitz (head of the city’s administration), took part in the visit for the first two days. Wednesday’s programme started with a meeting in the Guildhall between Herr Hetjes and Herr Gehrsitz and the Leader of Exeter City Council, Councillor Phil Bialyk, with Exeter’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Kevin Mitchell, and the Council’s Chief Executive, Bindu Arjoon, also present.
This was followed by a reception in the Guildhall, given by the Lord Mayor for Herr Hetjes and all the German visitors, their Exeter hosts and others involved in twinning. Both the Lord Mayor and the Oberbürgermeister spoke warmly of their support for the link between the two cities.
Then there was a chance to enjoy the sunshine as Jane Chappell guided the visitors and their hosts around Northernhay Gardens. Jane’s explanations of the remarkable history of the Gardens were skilfully translated into German by Max Goodison.
But Wednesday’s programme was not finished. In the afternoon, Professor Ulrike Zitzlsperger welcomed the group to the Modern Languages Department of the University of Exeter, and gave a talk about the teaching of German to undergraduates. It was fascinating to hear how German teaching today covers not only language and literature, but also wider cultural aspects, such as art and cinema.
On Thursday there was a group visit to Teignmouth, where we were guided through the streets, and the history, of the town by Lesley McGinn. A perfect day “to be beside the seaside” – and, once the tour was completed, to take the ferry across the Teign estuary to Shaldon. Most of us ate lunch “al fresco” (and no-one lost food to the marauding seagulls!).
Everyone came together again on Friday evening, for a celebration supper at the Rougemont Hotel. We were pleased to welcome the Lord Mayor as our guest, and to hear the re-affirmation of the ties of friendship in the short speeches made by the Lord Mayor, by Werner Voigt, of Bad Homburg’s twinning association, and by Sarah Branton, Chair of the Exeter Twinning Circle.
On Saturday, hosts, guests and other friends travelled by coach to see the Valley of Rocks, Lynton and Lynmouth. It was good to introduce our visitors to the wonderful landscape of North Devon.
On Sunday, there was a chance to visit Sandy Bay, near Exmouth. The more energetic amongst the group could join Dave Cliffe on a walk back to Exmouth; the more reflective could choose to take a little longer over lunch, enjoying the view over the beach and sea below.
Our friends from Bad Homburg returned home on Monday. Their time in Exeter will stay in our memory, as a week of happy reunions and enjoyable visits (and non-stop sunshine!).
BAD HOMBURG VISIT 2025 – 60th ANNIVERSARY –
29th APRIL – 5th MAY2025 PROGRAMME
TUESDAY 29TH APRIL
Bad Homburg Visitors expected to arrive in Exeter about lunchtime.
18.00 Welcome Supper at Beryl’s for hosts and all guests from Bad Homburg. Free parking on the road.
WEDNESDAY 30 APRIL
11.00 Lord Mayors Reception with Mayor Alexander Hertjes, Mayor of Bad Homburg, Herr Ralf Gehrsitz (Head of Bad Homburg Central Administration) Phil Bialyk and the Bad Homburg Twinners. All guests, hosts, and ETC members welcome.
12.00 Guided walk around Northernhay Gardens Exeter, (one of the oldest public gardens in England still used, dating from the 1600s, led by Jane.
15.30 Presentation by Professor Ulrike Zitzlsperger, Associate Professor of German, Queens Building, Queens Drive, Exeter University EX4 4QH
16.15 FREE rest of day and evening with hosts.
THURSDAY 1ST MAY
Teignmouth and Shaldon – guided walk and ferry -scenic coastline
FRIDAY 2nd May
FREE day with hosts
18.30 Dinner and Reception at Mercure Exeter Rougemont Hotel, EX4 3SP
SATURDAY 3rd MAY
9.00 Coach visit to North Devon.
SUNDAY 4th MAY
11.15 MEET: EXMOUTH – OPEN TOP BUS from Exmouth to Sandy Bay
VARIOUS CHOICES.
MONDAY 5TH MAY
BAD HOMBURG VISITORS DEPART EXETER
For further information: phone Paul 07962019679 or Beryl 07971108846
or email: secretary@exetertwinningcircle.org.uk
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AGM 2025
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND LUNCH to be held on
FRIDAY 14th MARCH 2025 at 12 NOON
Please find links below:
Terracina Visit
13th July to 19th July
2024
Report by Beryl Whidden and Claire Mayer
Please click on link below for original pdf:
TERRACINA VISIT 2024 by Beryl Whidden and Claire Mayer (1)
What a start! The seven Italians arrived very late in Exeter to be greeted by rain having left the sunshine of 40 degrees C in Terracina. They were feeling the cold! The Italians were taken by their hosts either for a meal with friends, or to enjoy the sun setting from the Quay in Topsham.
A relaxing start to the day on Sunday was had by all then followed with a gentle walk down Fore Street Exeter to the Quay, winding their way through the Flea Market and the gem of St Nicholas Priory, where a member was on duty to help them. A delightful afternoon was spent on the Quay, listening to Jazz and enjoying the atmosphere. The evening finished in the beautiful garden of a member with the Final Football match being shown on TV. What drama!
The Redcoat Guide on Monday from the Cathedral Close to the Quay was a great success, despite the torrential rain. The excellent interpreter was much appreciated. On arrival at the Quay a group photo was taken on Piazza Terracina on the Quay. Time to recover for the Celebration Dinner with the Lord Mayor at the Rougemont Hotel. Welcome drinks were served in the Nelson Room and a dinner was enjoyed in the Derby Room under glistening chandeliers and candle lit candelabra. A Great success – the conversation never stopped. Tuesday was a free day for everyone, either relaxing or visiting Dartmoor, Bovey Castle, Okehampton and Tavistock or closer to home St James Football ground. More time was had for or chatting in the evening with old and new friends over drinks and nibbles in the evening in the garden of another member.
On the next day our trip a boat along the coast from Exmouth to Sidmouth and back, the sun shone and the sea shimmered in the light. Most Twinners disembarked at Sidmouth to wander around for a few hours, returning later on another boat. For the visitor’s last day, Thursday, we took them to Honiton on a gloriously sunny day. The Curator of the Honiton Museum showed us beautiful intricate examples of lace and valiantly answered many questions. The lace demonstration was watched with wonder. Before Covid the Museum had forty four lace demonstrators and now only have four. The Italian owner of Little Venice left his wonderful shoe and bag shop to join us and to help with translating. Lunch was taken in the garden of The Vine, down an alley off the High Street. The sausages and mash were declared to be the best ever by the Italians. Praise indeed. Instead of pudding we had a cream tea – an interesting experience for them all. Before returning to our cars, we stopped off to see a fabulous new exhibition named “The Invisible Threat” at the Thelma Hulbert Gallery. It is an exhibition by 15 contemporary textile artists wishing to push the boundaries and showing a diverse range of textile disciplines and perspectives.
On our way home The Walled Gardens of the Pig at Gittisham were much admired – and quiet drinks were enjoyed under the cedar trees. The evening finished with a flourish at the Beer Engine in Newton St Cyres – with Morris Dancing and most Twinners participating in the last dance. Retiring exhausted to bed in preparation for an early morning departure. Despite the Microsoft computer glitch there was only a slight delay with the plane. However, two of the Italian party got stuck in Paris for two days, but everyone is now safely home.
A wonderful week was had by all. Old friendships were maintained and new ones made.
Programme
Saturday 13th July 2024
Italian guests arriving mid-afternoon.
Evening with hosts.
Sunday 14th July 2024
Flea Market in Fore Street, Exeter (12:00 – 16:00) – The market is a rummager’s paradise, with surprises
around every corner.
St Nicholas Priory – Exeter’s oldest building (the original priory was turned into Tudor home and is now a
performance and community venue). It will be open 13:00 – 16:00.
18:30 pm – Bring & Share Supper Party @ Marija & Jeremy’s house – for hosts & guests.
11:30 Red Coat Guided Tour – Meet by the War Memorial, Cathedral Close.
This tour has been organised with an Italian interpreter and it is open to all members (first come first
served). It will last 90 minutes and will finish at 13:15 at Piazza Terracina.
18:30 Celebration Dinner at Rougemont Hotel – with the Lord Mayor and his consort attending – All
Members welcome!
Free Day with Hosts
20:00 – Drinks & Nibbles at Beryl’s House (for Hosts & Guests)
Boat Trip from Exmouth to Sidmouth
Meet at Exmouth Docks at 10.30 – Open to all Members
Honiton Lace Museum
10.30 – Meet at the Museum (Visit & lace-making demonstration). https://www.honitonmuseum.co.uk/
Lunch – picnic or café/restaurant with hosts. Why not try The Folly, former orangery, tucked away in the
garden of The Pig at Coombe, Gittisham, EX14 3AD (3.5 miles from Honiton).
https://www.thepighotel.com/at-combe/. Also, maybe a visit to Beer and Budleigh Salterton on the way
back to Exeter.
20:00 Morris Dancing at The Beer Engine, Newton St Cyres EX5 5AX – If you wish to join us – see you
there!
Early morning departure
Forthcoming Events
Incoming visit from Terracina 13th to 18th July More details to follow.
Previous Events
Incoming Visit from Rennes April 2024
To see details and photos of our May 2024 incoming visit from Rennes, please see the May 2024 Newsletter here: https://exetertwinningcircle.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ETC-Newsletter-May-2024.pdf
In order to see the programme for the the forthcoming visit from Rennes, please click the link below:
Rennes Visit 2024 – Programme
Visit to Bad Homburg - 29 September to 4th October 2023
We have been invited to visit our twin town of Bad Homburg between 29th September and 4th October 2023.
14 members have expressed their wish to join this visit.
Devon Twinning Circle Meeting - 22 July 2023
Exeter Twinning Circle is a member of Devon Twinning Circle. There are over 160 towns and villages in Devon currently twinned with communities overseas including France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Russia, Uganda, New Zealand, Japan and Hungary, The Twinning Circle members meet regularly to compare notes, offer ideas and offer ideas on the development of twinning activities and foster contacts in other countries.
The 30th Anniversary of Exeter Festival Chorus Choir was celebrated with a joint concert with its partner choirs, the Bachchor, Bad Homburg and Hanauer Kantorei, performed at Exeter Cathedral on the 15th July 2023.
Images by Tom Hurley
The Dream of Gerontius - Exeter Festival Chorus - 15th July 2023
Exeter Festival Chorus – a joint concert with the choirs from Bad Homburg and Hanau. The Exeter Festival Chorus 30th Anniversary concert takes place in the magnificent setting of Exeter Cathedral. Edward Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius, widely regarded as his choral masterpiece, is a large and powerful work. This concert will be held on 15th July 2023 (7.30pm). There is a special discount for ETC members. When using the TicketSource system from the Exeter Festival Chorus website, you will see a box labelled “Use discount code”. If you enter “Twinning” here, the 10% discount will apply.
Joint Photographic Exhibition by Exeter/Rennes photographers at Thabor Gardens, Rennes
May 2023
This exhibition is a result of continuing friendship and collaboration between two photographic societies – one in Exeter (Exeter Camera Club) and one in Rennes (La Societe Photographique de Rennes). The theme of the exhibition was “Our Countryside” (“Nos Campagnes”) – Devon and Brittany. With 20 photographers from Exeter exhibiting in Rennes, this is a great example of cultural links between twin towns which we the ETC like to encourage. The exhibition was held at the Orangery in the beautiful park, Le Jardin du Thabor, in the centre of Rennes. The opening was attended by the ETC representatives (Marija & Jeremy Lees), Exeter Camera Club members as well as our twinning friends from Rennes.
Coronation Lunch – May 2023
A special Coronation Lunch was held in honour of our new king, King Charles lll and Queen Camilla at the Red Ruby Cafe, Exe Valley Farm Shop, near Thorverton. Thirty three of our members attended, as well as our VIP guest, Paul Bristow of the British-German Association. Paul, who is their regional representative for Devon and lives in Exeter, talked about the work of the British-German Association and various ways we (ETC) could expand and improve our twinning activities. Paul has since joined ETC, so we look forward to benefitting from his considerable knowledge and experience.