Twin Club Visit

The Rotary Club of Dunstable has been twinned with the Rotary Club of Bourgoin-Isle D’Abeau, France, since June 2013 although there has been a connection with their club since 2008. A weekend of friendship was recently enjoyed by both clubs when six couples from Dunstable club visited their French counterpart.

On our arrival we were taken to a reception which was held for us by the Twinning Committee, the Mayor of Bourgoin-Jallieu, Joel Grisollet, the President of the Rotary Club, Veronique Gourcy, and members of the Rotary Club. After the welcome by the President and the Mayor we were presented with two beautiful hampers containing local delicacies. Also each couple were given 4 bottles of wine, each Rotarian a Rugby shirt and each lady a scarf. Following the civic reception, supper was taken at a local hostelry.

On Saturday we were taken to Lake Annecy for an overnight stop where we boarded a boat for a cruise round the lake whilst enjoying a superb lunch. A train tour round the lake and park followed and then we explored the medieval part of the city.

On the following day lunch was held in a restaurant where you chose what you wanted to cook and did it yourself, BBQ style!! Excellent.

In the afternoon we visited the Paccard Bell Foundry which started in 1796 and had a tour of the foundry and of course the shop for souvenirs!

Our French counterparts are raising money for an orphanage in Vietnam so Dunstable members were able to contribute. An excellent visit and we anticipate that their club will visit us in 2019.

Chris Smith
Dunstable Rotary Club
6th June 2017