Here’s the programme and some photos of the 2014 visit to Stapleford by a group from Villedômer.
And below is an account of youth exchange visits in 2014:
In August 2014, Stapleford Twinning Association continued the successful celebration of their thirtieth anniversary with a Youth Exchange to Villedômer. Twenty four young people from Stapleford and Villedômer stayed in each other’s homes enjoying the hospitality of host families.French activities included water sports on a lake near Villedômer, featuring catamarans, pedalos, water-sliding and swimming. A visit followed to the extraordinary Futuroscope theme park with its amazing mix of 4-D simulator rides and 3-D films offering a vision of the future on land, sea and in space. For the final evening we were treated to a wonderful BBQ by the Villedômer Twinning Association with a photographer from the local newspaper on hand to mark the thirtieth anniversary.
Back in the UK, we travelled by train to London to visit some of the most famous sights. At the Tower, we were awed by the moat full of poppies representing those who had died in the First World War. Having walked across Tower Bridge and along the Thames, we ate our lunch outside Tate Modern before catching the bus to Trafalgar Square where we had a good rest perched on the steps of Nelson’s column, chatting to other visitors to London. On our return to Stapleford, we enjoyed delicious fish and chips at The Three Horseshoes.
Harry Potter has international appeal and the group enjoyed a coach ride from Stapleford to visit Harry Potter World near Watford. The young people were surprised at how the filming mixes models, computer graphics and the actual sets on display in their entirety.
The final evening began with a football match before a BBQ. Then the French and British youngsters entertained the adults with a talent show ending with a medley of well-known songs – a wonderful way to end a very successful exchange!
Everyone from Villedômer and Stapleford enjoyed the event greatly and want to express their thanks to the host families on both sides of the Channel.