Harrow in Europe arranges educational visits to Europe for school students and teaching staff. Many schools pay visits to the continent and we do our best to assist them wherever possible.

As with our other activities, this assistance this takes many forms, including finding contacts in other countries to help with organisation, travel and accommodation and, where necessary, giving financial grants.

On Saturday 3rd December 2011 we held our annual Christmas Brunch. An opportunity for members to get together and see presentations from organisations whom Harrow in Europe have supported during the year.

On arrival members and guests were offered Bucks Fizz, sparkling or red wine or a selection of soft drink. Once the guests have found themselves a comfortable seat the food was served: a selection of pates and cheeses from Northern France with French bread, croissants, jam and chocolate brioches. Additional French flavours came in the form of celeriac, beetroot in balsamic vinegar and cherry tomatoes. A favourite delicacy was the homemade leek tarts.

This year there were three presentations. The first presentation was from Peter Coffey of Kodak Football Club. Peter, with the help of parents, took two teams of young people to Douai to complete against Douai as well as clubs from other twin towns. The teams had a great time and one of them even beat the cadets of Paris Ste. Germaine. According to Peter the French do not play by the same rules as us. However everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience and are hoping to go again next year.

The second presentation was from Sacred Heart Language College on their day trip to Boulogne. Two of the pupils gave an excellent and informed description of their day. It began when they left Sacred Heart College at 5.00a.m in the morning and ended in their return late in the evening. The girls were able to shop in the market and managed to haggle in French. Although very tired when they arrived back, all enjoyed the day.

The final presentaion was from Roxeth School. For a number of years they have taken Year 6 to Camp Beaumont, a holiday chateaux in France. The pupils stay in chalets in the grounds and the staff have separate accommodation on the site. Activities are arranged in the grounds and there are also a number of excursions in the local area.

Once the presentations were over it was time for the Chairman to remind members of the annual trip to the Fetes de Gayant in Douai and other future events. These include the Quiz Supper on Saturday January 28th September and a fund raising dinner in March.

As a result of the Christmas Brunch the Rotary Club of Northwick Park have agreed to donate £500.00 to the Kodak Football Club for next year's tournament in Douai. All in Harrow in Europe would like to thank the Rotary Club for their much needed donation. Harrow in Europe would like to thank everyone who helped to make the Brunch a success. We raised a total £399.27 towards our funds.

Sue Blann

Once again Harrow in Europe were visiting Douai for the Fetes de Gayant. A coach party organised by Jenny Mintoft set off from the Civic Centre at 8.30 a.m., to Dover, by boat to Calais, before travelling to the Ibis Hotel in Douai. There we were joined by Harrow’s Mayor & Mayoress, Cllr Mrinal Choudhury and Mrs Rama Choudhury, and HiE’s John Hinkley and Jean Lammiman.

On the first evening the Mayoral Party went to an interesting couscous restaurant while a few of us decided to go to a local French restaurant, before listening to the Douai Band playing in the Theatre near the Hotel in readiness for the Gayant festival itself. We met Cllr Marie Delecambre and the Conductor of the band in the foyer before the concert began. After our return to the Hotel a few members opted to spend some time in the bar!

In the morning I visited the local market that in particular sells fresh fruit and vegetables. I then joined the coach party to go on the optional trip to Ypres, which was a First World War garrison town. The soldiers' name for this Belgian town was Wipers, around which the British Army fought three battles. Here is a short verse that illustrates the mood at the time:

Far, far from Wipers I long to be.
Where German snipers can't get at me.
Dark is my dugout, cold are my feet.
Waiting for whizzbangs to send me to sleep.

We spent an enjoyable time in Ypres, having a good look at their market which sold costume jewelry and clothes and after lunch we visited St Martin’s Church which was bombed during the First World War. During this war a Mr. Robinson found a tapestry amongst the church ruins, took it home intending to return it when the Church had been rebuilt and it was safe to do this. After he had died his son carried out his wish and returned the tapestry to the Church and each year he visits the Church with his family. We also visited the famous Menin Gate Memorial Wall which was inaugurated in 1927.

That evening back at Douai we decided to visit Place Carnot where there was a street banquet and entertainment from Giants who were to be part of the Parade. This included a marriage ceremony between two giants – P’tit Jehan and Bela Rada - accompanied by dancers dressed in national costume. The atmosphere was lively with many of the local French people wandering around with their families and like us enjoying the entertainment.

The next morning we walked up to the courtyard of Douai’s Town Hall where the Gayant family arrived, the bells of the Belfry were ringing, a small crowd had gathered and the Douai band started to play. Douai’s Mayor Jacques Vernier accompanied by our Mayor Cllr Mrinal Choudhury and dignitaries from other countries who are twinned with Douai. They threw sweets to the crowd and then Jacques Vernier released some pigeons before we all went inside the Town Hall to listen to the welcoming speech given by Douai’s Mayor in French as the Douai band played. This was followed by a Champagne Reception.

In the afternoon we took our places near the start of the Parade which saw Jacques Vernier and his wife Bettiere in an open horse drawn carriage. There were some interesting exhibits this year including a few monsters! In the evening we were all invited to a reception and buffet supper at Salle Jerome de France des Salles d’Anchin, Rue Fortie, hosted by the French. After speeches Madame Chantalle Brisabois and Cllr Marie Delecambre were presented with presents from us and other guests. It was an excellent meal and the wine flowed!

In the morning Dermot took our photograph on the steps of the Hotel with our Mayor and Mayoress before setting off for Calais where we had time for shopping and a meal. We then returned to Dover by Ferry. It was a sunny afternoon, visibility was good and we had a smooth crossing. Finally, we took the coach back to the Civic Centre and said our good byes.

Christine Thomas

After seeing the lush French countryside the coach pulls into Hotel Ibis in Douai, we get a few hours to relax after the trip, and then go out to a Moroccan restaurant for Couscous with vegetables, and juicy Turkish sausages, lamb chops, chicken shish and lamb shish, washed down with mint tea poured from a traditional Arabic teapot.

After the alcohol the councillors had much difficulty counting the money to pay the bill, but then a fine example of Harrow government co-operation occurs when three councillors get together and count the cash into hundred Euro bundles and place them underneath every conceivable condiment container the restaurant has and get it spot on. This just goes to show that when councillors have alcohol, everything ends up being done in triplicate resulting in significant government bureacratic overhead, this is the reason why drinking alcohol in the council chamber is not part of standard procedure. Obviously the maker of that process had his thinking cap on.

Harrow in Europe took us by coach to Yypres in Belgium. There was a market selling everything from food to t-shirts. There's a tall marble gate at the edge of the town with the names of the more than one million soldiers that died there etched into it. A solemn collection of poppy wreaths is respectfully visible at a nuber of locations in the archway. In the town centre is a small museum with exhibits of the sacrifice of the brave soldiers.

We got a sneak peek at an Art exhibition in the Douai Town Hall cellar, and then we see the wondrous sight in the Town Hall courtyard of the King and Queen statues dancing to band music, other statues then enter the courtyard and join the dance. The courtyard is packed with local families that have come to celebrate the occassion. The Mayor of Douai and The Mayor of Harrow step out of the Town Hall into the courtyard and throw thousands of sweets at the children.

The Town Hall then hosts music played by the Police cadet band, followed by free wine, sandwiches and local delicacies in the next room which has the incredible architecture of lions sticking out of the walls holding chandeliers. It's immediately apparent that the budget of the local government of Douai ecclipses that of Harrow

Then in a mini Notting Hill carnival, floats go through the streets with dancers and singers performing on various mock ups such as naval ships, and the mantis mock up fires jets of water out of its mouth. The Mayor of Harrow gets soaked and ends up being late for dinner. Dinner is provided by the local government of Douai and is delicious French fare supplemented by a delicious summer fruits gauteaux which is about a metre wide! Various delegations attend including the ambassador of the country Burkina Faso.

After saying our sad goodbyes, the coach takes us to Cite Europe to do some low tax shopping for personal consumption, followed by the sad ferryride back home.

Avishek Chaudhuri

On Saturday 14th May 2011 the Pinner Walking Club and the Douai Marche (Douai Walking Club) met on the Isle of Wight for a week of walking. The date coincided with the Isle of Wight walking festival, an annual event on the island which lasts a fortnight. There was a group of 15 people from Douai and 10 from Pinner. Most of the participants stayed in the Sandringham Hotel in Sandown. Others were hosted by George and Shirley Guest who have a property at Brading. Their house is the old bakery and brewery.

The two groups met up each day for the walks. Fortunately the bus service on the Island is quick, reliable and efficient. The first walk was from Sandown to Ventnor, along the coastal path and through the village of Boniface. At Boniface is an old church dating back to 1070. The next day the scenery was even more stunning with the path taking us over Tennyson Downs and past the Old Battery, The Needles and Alum Bay. It was a tiring 7 miles round trip but worth the effort.

After good food and a night's rest we were up and about to join one of the guided historical walks along the old railway track from Brading to Bembridge. The guide gave a brief history of the railway and its use, which was mainly to transport heavy goods from the docks in Bembridge. The docks are now a marina for yachts. After a lunch break we returned to Brading via a different route, past the windmill and a small airfield. We enjoyed a well earned cup of tea and cakes at The Old Bakery.

Wednesday was a more restful day taking the bus to Ryde and walking 2 miles to Quar Abbey where we were met by Harrow in Europe’s John Hinkley and Jean Lammiman. A tour of the Abbey was arranged specifically for the group. One of the monks gave the history of the Abbey, in fluent French and English. It is an impressive building. The original house was Victorian. It was frequented by Princess Beatrix. The Chapel and the Sanctuary were completed in 1912 by a French architect from Lille, bricks from Holland and workmen from the Island. .At present there are only 9 monks in residence who follow the teachings of St.Benedict. On completion of the Abbey Tour we had lunch in the gardens and then separated for the afternoon with some walking to East Cowes, others visiting Osborne House and some of us taking the bus back to Sandown.

Most of the group met the following morning for circular walk at Godshill. It was again a walk organised as part of the Festival .Those who completed the 7 miles were presented with a badge. Two of us, Alan and Sue, decided to opt out as our legs were beginning to a feel a little tired so we went on the short stretch of The Isle of Wight steam train, a pretty, rural line with an interesting museum at Haven Street Station. As we were leaving the next day the whole group met for dinner at the Sandringham Hotel for a social evening.

We returned to Harrow or Douai on the Saturday. The week was extremely enjoyable, very sociable and good fun. We would like to thank George and Shirley Guest for their hospitality and in helping to put together a timetable of walks. George also led some of the walks while another thank you to Margaret Nigam for the way she helped to organise and co-ordinate the week. Another successful event for Harrow In Europe.

Alan and Sue Blann

The annual Harrow Triathlon took place on Sunday, 8th May 2011. This year 30 members of the Douai Triathlon Club took part with Harrow In Europe arranging accommodation with local families. The mixed-age group arrived in nine cars. There was one family of five, one of three, various couples and lone single people with a bed provided for everyone.

Most of the group arrived on Friday evening at Morison’s car park, despite taking a wrong turning and going through central London instead of the M25. After phone calls to the United Services Club and the Mayors’ office, the evening meal and the Mayor's arrival at the United Services Club were rearranged for a little later. Once again the United Services Club in Pinner provided a simple but nice meal at a reasonable cost.

Those travelling in two of the cars had agreed they would travel after work and arrive in Harrow at about 10.30p.m. One of them unfortunately did not start the journey and his whereabouts was unknown.

On Saturday the group went in to Central London by tube and all returned to John Hinckley and Jean Lammiman's house for a barbecue with the host families contributing to the food. During the evening the straggler arrived and was given a hearty cheer by his compatriots. Families intermingled and spoke in both languages. Fortunately the rain held off .and we all departed for home by 10.00p.m.

As in Douai it was up with the larks and ready for the Harrow Triathlon. Seventeen of the Douai group competed in the event, including two in the children's events. Alan and I once again marshaled, this time making sure the cyclists got on their bikes at the correct spot.

There were more than 200 adult and over 300 children competitors. The children’s races are in four age groups graded according to age. The prizes were presented by Cllr. Jean Lammiman with the Douai group taking home at least four of them. Once again it was a fun but tiring weekend.

On behalf of Harrow in Europe we would like to say thank you to all the host families for helping to make the weekend a great success. If anyone is interested at a future date in offering accommodation for our French visitors please let Harrow in Europe know. French is not essential as some of our French guests speak some English.

Alan and Sue Blann

On Tuesday 8th March 2011 Alan and I were up bright and early to meet the Mayor of Douai, M.Jacques Vernier , Marie de la Cambre (Councillor from Douai ) and nine ladies from the Social Centre in Douai. We met the group at St. Pancras Station and brought them by train to Wealdstone.

Alan took M.Vernier to the Mayor's Office while I took the ladies to the Red Brick Cafe for an English breakfast. On the train the group asked about the "petit dejeuner anglais" so were delighted to experience a freshly cooked breakfast at the Red Brick. We were joined by Jenny Mintoft and Cllr. Margaret Devine who represented the Harrow Women's Centre.

After breakfast we took the bus to Harrow Town Centre. The ladies thoroughly enjoyed the experience of riding on the top deck and looking at the street scenes around the bus. Having reached the town centre there was time for some retail therapy. The ladies were surprised at the number and variety of shops in Harrow, some bought presents for grandchildren and one lady had her eyebrows knitted.

After the shopping we all gathered outside St. George's Centre for the celebration of Harrow applying for status as a Fairtrade Borough . The Mayor of Harrow (Cllr.Asad Omar ) and the Mayor of Douai (M.Jacques Vernier) made speeches . Each Mayor spoke in French and English. As part of the event a group of children from Whitchurch School sang a song, as did a rapper who had composed a song for the occasion.

Once the celebrations were over all the ladies were collected by minibus to be driven to the Women's Centre in Harrow. They were intrigued that no men are allowed in the Centre. Welcoming speeches were given in English and French. They were followed by entertainment by a group of children from St.Teresa's Primary School who sang a song in French. Their performance was followed by a traditional Pakistan dance. Lastly there was a song which everyone joined in with singing and Indian hand dance movements.

Once the entertainment was over it was time for lunch. We enjoyed a tasty cold buffet. Then it was time to say goodbye and thank you to our hosts as we were due at the Civic Centre at 3.00p.m where we were welcomed by Cllr. Nana Asante .

This was followed by a group of students from Stanmore College who gave a presentation on the progress of Fairtrade at the college. The ladies from Douai explained the activities at their Social Centre: sewing, knitting, gardening, picnics and the like. The main difference being that the Douai Social Centre is open to men as well as women.

Finally the group said their goodbyes to Harrow and left for St. Pancras. As they arrived at Euston early, John Hinkley took them in to the British Museum to see the Magna Carta. The ladies thoroughly enjoyed their celebration of International Womens’ Day. It was a very successful occasion for the cause of Fairtrade.

Sue Blann

On Friday March 8th 2011 Harrow in Europe held a Fund Raising Dinner in the Mayor's Parlour. The Menu was mainly Northern French Cuisine. The guests arrived at 7.00 for aperitifs while awaiting the Mayor's arrival. We were honoured that this year's Mayor, Councillor Asad Omar, was able to attend.

Once our guests arrived the starters were served, homemade chicken liver pate or crudités, with French bread and a choice of wine. The main course was a choice of a Flemish dish of braised beef in beer with new potatoes, coq au vin ( in reality chicken in red wine ) with a sauce of lardons, mushrooms and shallots with rice or, for the vegetarian option, aubergines baked with homemade pesto sauce, tomatoes and mozarello cheese.

For desert one could choose from upside-down apple sponge, fresh pineapple and chocolate mousse. Some people preferred cheese before desert as in France. Mainly Northern French cheeses were placed on the tables. Finally coffees and teas with a crisp Belgian chocolate were offered.

John Hinckley (Chairperson) then gave a vote of thanks and Alderman Keith Toms said in few words about Harrow in Europe. The evening was a great success and raised £487.47p for Harrow in Europe. This was also thanks to the support of The Mayor, his staff, Rita Gresty and Lena Shah, and everyone who helped with the serving, clearing away and the washing up. Nor could it have raised so much money without the support of our guests so a big thank you to everyone for making the evening enjoyable.

As there was no Civic Banquet this year Harrow in Europe invited Douai councillors to Harrow on the weekend of the Hatch End Triathlon. Four councillors took up the invitation including a newly elected one responsible for twinning arrangements, Mme Marie Delecombre, who speaks excellent English. The other three were Mme. Marie Paule Veneville , Mme Jacqueline Lenain and Monique Amghar .

The guests were met at St. Pancras Station on Saturday 8th May 2010 by Cllr. David Gawn and John Hinckley . Before seeing the sights of Harrow David gave them a sightseeing tour of London. John then took them to lunch in Hatch End before they checked in at the Cumberland Hotel. In the evening the councillors were welcomed by the Mayor of Harrow Cllr Eric Silver in the Mayor's Parlour. After the meal Bob Deane explained the history of Harrow and some of its famous citizens from the marquetry on the wall of the Mayor's Parlour.

On Sunday morning John Hinckley and David Gawn took the Douai Councillors to the Hatch End Triathlon where it was so bitterly cold they had to borrow sweaters from John. The highlight of Sunday morning was when Neil Proctor of Hatch End Jetstream Club presented an engraved silver plate to the Douai Triathlon Club to thank the Douai Club for entering the Hatch End Triathlon every year since its inception at the beginning of the millennium in 2000 .

The Douai councillors were taken to St. Pancras for their return journey to Douai. The weekend enabled HiE’s chairperson John Hinkley to further improve Harrow in Europe’s links with Douai so helping future exchanges.

Over 20 French water-engineering students from Harrow’s twin-town, Douai visited two of Harrow’s major flood protection schemes recently. They explored Hatch End’s new £250,000 River Pinn project and the recently completed £600,000 Oxhey Lane Farm flood Alleviation Scheme. Both sites provide vital stormwater storage areas to prevent flooding during heavy rainfalls

The students were taking a break from their studies at the Lycée Agricole de Douai, northern France to learn about water management in the context of ecological studies. A project presentation was part of the itinerary – explaining how Harrow Council and contracting partner EnterpriseMouchel constructed the open river channel along the west side of the Hatch End playing fields and the new 700m diversion channel embankment on Oxhey Lane Farm. They also had the opportunity to tour River Pinn’s wetland area, which hold excess water during heavy rainfall. The tour continued with a visit to the new landscaped amphitheatre at the back of the arts centre.

Student Romain Tomczyk commented: “Harrow is an intriguing, well-maintained town with friendly locals everywhere. It is a great opportunity to be able to have hands-on experience and to learn about the interesting sites in England.”

While Councillor Susan Hall, portfolio holder for environment services at Harrow Council, welcomed the students saying:“This programme not only allows both towns to explore contrasting custom and traditions. It also helps students engage further about different engineering practices – which is invaluable.”

Jim Harker, general manager at EnterpriseMouchel, said: “The Partnership aims to keep the community updated about all of its major schemes. We have now managed to go one step further, by showcasing this project to international students. We hope that they will take our enthusiasm and engineering innovation back to projects in France.

After much planning and deliberation over a couple of pints in Pinner the 30th Anniversary celebrations took shape. The weekend was the highlight of, not only 2009 , but of the last five years .The last major celebration was in 2004 for the 25th Anniversary.

Once we knew that dates that M.Jacque Vernier (Mayor of Douai ) and his fellow councillors and colleagues were able to spend a weekend in Harrow we had some serious planning to do and an attempt to keep costs down.

So what did we plan for the weekend ? Our first objective was to invite as many people as possible to both the formal and informal events.

The weekend started off with meeting the French delegation at St.Pancras Staion by the Mayor’s chauffeur, John Hinkley and Councillor Jean Lammiman and the French were taken to the Grimsdyke Hotel where the rooms were booked. After settling in our guests went to the Civic Centre for a small lunchtime reception hosted by the Mayor and Mayoress of Harrow, Councillors John and Joyce Nickolay. The Red Brick Cafe provided an excellent buffet lunch which reflected the diversity of Harrow.

The reception was followed by both Mayors being escorted in to the Council Chamber with a guard of honour by the 1454 (Harrow) Squadron ATC. The formal proceedings then began . Both Mayors spoke of the benefits of twinning and of the range of activities and exchanges that take place throughout the year. Gifts were exchanged and the new town twinning agreement was signed by both Mayors. The agreement was in French and English, both of which had been hand written by a professional calligraphist .Both will be on display in the Council Chamber.

We were also privileged to have a presentation by two of Harrow's Youth Parliament members .They gave a very good presentation of the issues that affect youth and their vision for the future.

Following the formal ceremony all those who attended were invited in to the Members Lounge for tea, biscuits and chat. In the evening a number of committee members joined our French colleagues for dinner at Friend's Restaurant, Pinner. It was a relaxed, convivial evening with excellent food and wine.

The following morning a group, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Harrow joined the French delegation for breakfast. Following breakfast, John Hinkley and Councillor Jean Lammiman discussed future events for twinning activities with M.Jacques Mercier , who has responsibility for cultural activities in Douai.

While the delicate negotiations were going on some of us had more practical issues to deal with. We had an amazing response to the Afternoon Tea Party at Headstone Manor. Tables to be set out, cakes to be cut up. Morris Men had to dress in their traditional clothes and numerous pots of tea to be made!

The afternoon was a great success The Mayors and our French guests were greeted by the Merrydowners Morris Men .They were given a guided tour of the Tithe Barn and the Manor House, complete with stories of ghosts.

The Merrydowners Morris Men entertained at various times throughout the afternoon and Harrow Young Muscians played superbly while our guests were eating and drinking. Finally, everyone drifted home having had a very enjoyable afternoon .

Sue Blann