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.

We assembled at Harrow Civic Centre on Friday for 8.30am where a passport check revealed one of our number had forgotten hers. The coach had to leave but fortunately she was able to retrieve her passport from home and get a lift from John Hinkley who went by car. Well done John!,

The coach reached the Channel Tunnel ferry terminal with plenty of time for a stretch of the legs, comfort breaks and a quick look at the shops. We got the 12.20 train. The crossing takes about half an hour.

We reached Douai at about 3.30 and were quickly allocated rooms. We were in the Hotel Ibis Douai which has an 18th century shell with a modern interior. The rooms are a good standard and the hotel is right in the centre of Douai opposite a square where some activities for children in the Fêtes de Gayant took place.

The evening was free. A number of our part went to the Restaurant Paradis Pizza and had a good time. My companions Pat and David Henry and I went to the Bistrot du Boucher where we had a very good 3 course meal with half a bottle of wine for €28.50. This was my 3rd visit to Douai and each time this restaurant has been very good.

On the Saturday there was time for a quick visit to the farmers market in the Place Saint Amé (opposite the hotel) and the Jardin de la Fonderie de Douai (next to the hotel) before boarding the coach for an optional (and free!) visit to Tournai, over the border in Belgium. This is a Unesco heritage site with many attractions.

Some of our party visited the cathedral. Mostly built in the 12th century in the Romanesque style it has 13th century Gothic alterations mainly to the choir.

Others visited Tournai’s famous bridge the Pont des Trous. This is a 13th-century bridge over the Scheldt. While others of our party visited the Musée des Beaux-Arts which contains important works of important 19th century French painters like Manet, Monet, Seurat and also Van Gogh as well as many others. Still others found time to see the folklore museum.

In the evening there was a parade in the main square with many bands competing against each other to make the loudest noise with some of the Gayant and some fantastical creatures. It all culminated in a show with a band and fireworks.

Sunday saw the main Gayants gathering before the Hotel de Ville (town hall) and 14th century Bellfroi. The town band arrived and then the mayor and other dignitaries throw sweets to the crowd. Many of us then went inside to listen to the town band and to a speech by the mayor of Douai (in French). Afterwards we attended a sparkling wine reception in the 15th century council chamber.

The afternoon saw the main parade of the Fêtes de Gayant (carnival) with many floats, stilt walkers and bands all on the theme of music. The crowds in the main square were entertained by the Merrydowners Morris of Harrow a group of Morris dancers and by a group of drummers from Nower Hill High School both groups accompanied us to Douai.

In the evening we attended a buffet dinner with wine given by the Town of Douai in our honour. Both of the above groups entertained us with a demonstration of their skills. I was particularly impressed by the polite and helpful behaviour of the young men from Nower Hill High school. It was nice to see the Morris dancers and the drummers in an impromptu jam session later on.

The next morning we returned to Harrow via a short shopping break at Cité Europe Calais. It was a really good weekend with plenty of interest. I would like to thank Jenny Mintoft for all her hard work in organising this trip. I return home determined to improve my French for next year!

Mike Allen

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.

As if the Douai Duathlon was not hectic enough, the return trip of the Douai Triathalon Club was on Sunday 9th May 2010.For the tenth consecutive year a group from Douai Triathlon Club have competed in the Hatch End Triathlon .The group arrived in Harrow on Friday 7th May and stayed until Sunday 9th. Members of Harrow in Europe were able to accommodate the thirteen visitors from Douai.

After settling in, an evening meal was arranged at Sue and Alan Blann's house. They tucked in to a meal of Lamb Tagine, beef bourgogne , roast potatoes , couscous , a selection of French and English cheeses and Mediterranean pastries accompanied by beers, wine, water and fruit juice.

The following day the group met at Harrow on the Hill Station for a day out in London with directions given to the Civic Centre for the evening. The evening buffet was held in the Mayor's Parlour as four councillors from Douai had arrived by Eurostar. Again Alan and Sue prepared a buffet but cold this time. We chose to cook and serve mainly English food: poached salmon, baked gammon, sausages and tandoori chicken with various salads. This was followed by English cheeses, homemade cakes, strawberries and Gaye Branche's famous jellies. After the buffet Bob Deane gave an explanation of the marquetry of the history of Harrow. John Hinckly translated the explanation in to French for our guests .

The following morning the athletes and some of the hosts had to be up early for the day's events. The Hatch End Triathlon starts at 7am with the cycle ride along the Uxbridge Road , followed by a swim in Hatch End Pool and a run on the grass . By 10.30am the adults have completed their course. Alan and I had the task of marshalling at the point where the cyclists mounted and dismounted their bikes, not helped by the bitterly cold weather.

Before the start of the children's events, Neil Proctor of Hatch End Jetstream Tri Club presented an engraved silver plate to Jean Nido , president of the Douai Triathlon Club. It commemorated the continuous support of the Douai Club to the Hatch End Club since the first Hatch End Triathlon in the year 2000. It was a particularly happy occasion as the Douai Councillors were able to be present at the presentation.

The children's event took place at about midday with at least 150 children participating. It is the biggest children's triathlon in London and possibly the entire South East. Competitors came from places as far afield as Derby, Milton Keynes and even one from Douai .It takes a lot of organising as all the children's bikes and helmets have to be checked to ensure that tyres are pumped up, brakes work and helmets fit properly. The children swim in Hatch End Pool and cycle and run on the grass. The distances are naturally much shorter and the children are placed in age groups.

Finally at around 2.00pm all the events had finished .Our French friends departed for Douai and we went for a well earned pint. A fun but exhausting weekend.

Alan and Sue Blann

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.

Eleven of us from Pinner Walking Club visited France to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Douai Marche (the Walking Club of Harrow’s twin town). On the evening of Thursday 18th June we had a welcoming buffet at Marie-Antoinette (Treasurer) and Pierre’s (but we ate more than cake!).

On Friday morning we had an unexpected walking tour ( a story for another occasion) of Douai with while most of the others joined the main walk of the day (16k & 25k versions). [This was about the sixth day of walks celebrating the 25th anniversary of Douai Marche]. We joined about 50 others on the ‘inauguration’ walk ‘path/trail of Galibots’ in time for the picnic lunch at Sin Le Noble and the return via Waziers (old mining town). The 40 remaining on the 16k walk stopped for coffee at Marielle’s house where we were joined by the intrepid 10 or so doing the 25k. We joined in some impromptu dancing – apparently Polish, olthough one tune sounded suspiciously like ‘Nice One Cyril’ (Goodnight Ladies?). The walk ended at the Gayant Expo park where we had welcome refreshments (beer) and were presented with gifts – including tee-shirts celebrating the 25 years.

There were a day of events on Saturday arranged for us by our hosts. We walked through the Place St Ame market to the first event which was a visit to the Town Hall with its magnificent belfry (Le Beffroi). Next a boat trip (promenade), on the River Scarpe which flows through Douai, with commentary, and a tour of the old Prison part of the current Palais de Justice – (Vidocq – its most famous prisoner, eventually became Chief of Police, and was the model for Valjean in Victor Hugo’s ‘Les Miserables’). We then drove to the Museum of Mining at Lewarde (the setting for Zola’s classic novel – Germinal) where we had a traditional meal – at the Briquet – the name of the ‘food package’ that the miners took down the pit with them.

In the morning we took part (with 100-150 others – most (including us) wearing the tee-shirts) in the finale of the week’s activities – a 5 mile walk around Douai – seeing all the main sites of this intriguing and beautiful town, finishing at the Belfry/Town Hall.

We (Harrow) were the only ‘twin town’ represented at the Mayor’s Reception there (the Germans having been there earlier in the week – a familiar pattern!, and the Poles not making it at all). The Mayor welcomed us 11 Brits, and donned the Douai 25 Ans tee-shirt presented to him.

After that it was the start of the music festival, a trans-European event linked to the summer solstice. We walked alongside a very energetic group called ‘Sambababoom’ past various stages and DJs. There was an eclectic choice of music (although occasionally a clash as traditional music was drowned out by DJ volume). We managed to watch big band jazz & a Sinatra ‘tribute’ singer plus a ‘gypsy-style’ (Stephane Grappelli/Django Reinhardt style) group at the Place St Ame, and various rock groups ranging from a very impressive group of 13/14 year-olds (the next Beatles?) to some about 50 years older and 50 yards further down the road. I was just getting engrossed in ‘Woolly Bully’ and ‘Light My Fire’ when we had to get to the Town Hall for a concert by l’Ensemble Vocal Arc-En-Ciel ( a ‘barber-shop’ style choir of which Bob Street - the British husband of a Douai Marche member (Jacqui?) — was a member).

On Monday morning We departed Douai to drive to Picardy and the ‘English Coast’. That afternoon we visited the Abbye de Valloires (and had a guided tour) and then walked round the magnificent gardens – including the Roses of Picardy (cue for yet another song).

We drove to the delightful St Valery-sur-Somme (where the Somme joins the sea, many miles from the main battlefields). We walked through the town, and had our picnic by a chapel on the cliffs. Joan of Arc had been transported through the town on her way from Le Coutoy to Rouen, and Napoleon had stayed there once. The most famous, though, was William the Conqueror (Guillame to the locals) who had set sail from St Valery to invade England. We then drove to the town immediately opposite St Valery – Le Croutoy, which was also well worth a visit.

On the final day we then went to the hilltop fortifications of Montreuil sur-Mer (on the Canche river, but a long way from the sea) where we had a picnic whilst English school children played cricket and rounders in the moat (dry I hasten to add). Another interesting walk around this delightful town, and it was time to take our leave. We then went our separate ways, back to Douai or home to Harrow.

Matt Semple

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

I think that it was Jean Lammiman’s suggestion, after the London New Years Day parade in January 2009, that we should build a float to take to Douai for the Fetes de Gayants to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the towns’ twinning. Being old hands at that sort of thing, having built Harrow’s float for the London parade and taken part in that three times previously, we gave it some thought. The theme of the parade was to celebrate the centenary of the world’s first air show.

So let’s build an aeroplane... But it has to be something that we can take apart and transport in a van. So if we can’t display it on a lorry, it has to be self propelled. A Bicycle! And to relate it to a bit of Harrow history, we settled on a Bristol Fighter biplane of 1917, the type that Leefe Robinson flew, of 48th Squadron RFC, when he was shot down by Baron Von Richtofen over Douai.

Initial drawings were developed for a tubular aluminium frame around a bike, to which were attached the fuselage and wings. The wings to be of a tubular frame with flat aluminium strip to shape the airfoil section. Harrow in Europe liked the idea, provided funding for the materials, while Alan and Sue Blann provided the bike. Building work started at Nower Hill High School in the Easter holidays, and continued up to our deadline of displaying the plane at Under One Sky in Harrow at the end of June.

Many problems were encountered and overcome during construction. Stabilisers for the bike were abandoned in favour of realistic undercarriage wheels. In trials, the first two versions, using aluminium tube to attach the wheels, both collapsed. And the machine was unsteerable. Our despair was resolved by using a heavy steel angle section to support the wheels and moving them a little further back. An axle couldn’t be used, as that would interfere with the front wheel of the bike. How to attach the wings, the wing struts, the supporting wires, were all issues thought through on paper and successfully contrived.

As for the journey, on Thursday 9th July we loaded wings and other bits into the coach at their Watford depot and the fuselage into David’s van. On arriving in Douai on the 10th we had to sort accommodation and plane storage problems before attending the twinning ceremony at the Sales d’Anchin. The next day we prepared the plane for the parade, walked the 4km route, followed by lunch, some sight seeing, last minute attention to the paintwork of the plane and an enjoyable and unexpected meal with the Mayor and Mayoress of Harrow, Cllr Eric and Evelyn Silver.

On the morning of Sunday 12th July I had my first view of les Gayants. The sound of drums, then a top hatted official, then M. Gayant. He’s 30 ft tall with six pairs of feet underneath, marching him slowly on and followed by Mme Gayant, so richly decorated. They both stopped for a rest outside the café. Six men climbed out of each, smart white uniforms with a wide black cummerbund.

Then to assemble the aeroplane. And at 11am to Hotel de Ville for the pre parade speeches and reception. Back for a spot of lunch and now the excitement is building………. Several bizarre contraptions are being built. Stilt walkers and various groups are rehearsing, we move forward to the assembly area for the Parade which starts at 3pm. We still have no idea of where we shall be positioned in the parade. At 2:45 we are found by a marshal who will be looking after us. We will be near the back of the parade.

4pm…. We get to the start of the parade. Our first taste of the Festival. Quite amazing. Not like anything we’d experienced before. We battled through the streets trying to make our own space to get through. Where is Harrow’s Health and Safety Manager when you need him? Further on the roads widened. Ahead of us was a large machine, manned by three or four men on the top, with large air cannons. They were firing huge streams of high velocity confetti into the crowd. A wonderful source of ammunition for the youngsters. We fought back bravely, armed only with a water pistol.

Our reception from start to finish of the parade was very enthusiastic. Shankaran was piloting for the first half, then I had the opportunity of taking over. We both found ourselves being given babies to hold, while Mum took a photograph! On to the grandstand in the Place Carnot to be welcomed by the Mayor of Harrow and his party, and to be looked down upon as we left the square by the Gayants. All too soon to the end of the parade.

Then a mad rush, with little time to go before the final evening’s reception. To disassemble the plane, wheel the fuselage back through the town to store it, back to the Halls for a quick change. Then on to the Hotel to meet the others, having left a large pile of confetti on the floor of my room! Finally we made it, and enjoyed a further reception and supper at the Salles d’Anchin. Finally on Monday morning, having loaded the plane back in the van and coach we said our farewells and mused on an exhilarating, exhausting and successful weekend.

Roger Pattenden

Friday 8^th May 2009 saw the arrival of our French competitors from Douai for the annual Harrow Triathlon. The host families arrived at Morrison’s car park to meet the group of 13 French friends with their families. Unfortunately the ferry was delayed by wind so the group arrived 45 minutes late.

Once settled with the host families the group and their Harrow hosts meet for dinner at the United Services Club in Pinner. Place of honour went to Jean Nido the President of Douai Triathalon Club who has gained a place in this year's Triathlon World Championships. This year there were four children with the group, one of whom was competing in the Children's event.

Saturday was free for our French guests to visit London for sightseeing and shopping. In the evening we all met for dinner at the Blann residence in Wealdstone where all feasted on an Italian meal but with northern French cheeses .One of the cheeses was unknown to our guests.

Sunday all were up bright and early for the main purpose of the weekend — THE TRIATHLON. The weather was bright, sunny and warm for the early morning. All the competitors were signed in and ready to go on time.

At the end of the swimming, cycling and running two of our French competitors received medals for coming first in their age group as did the youngest entrant.

After the exhaustion of the weekend the group left Harrow to wend their way back to Douai — tired but happy at the hospitality that they received in Harrow.

On Saturday 19^th September 2009 Harrow in Europe decided to hold a coffee morning . As in common with many organisations we need to continually raise funds. The funds are used to promote international friendship and education to as many people as possible within the London Borough of Harrow.

The day started with a glorious September morning . Our hosts John Hinckley and Councillor Jean Lammiman had laid out numerous tables and chairs in their spacious garden which looked very green and welcoming. A selection of homemade cakes and fruit scones as well as numerous cups of tea and coffee were provided.

There were the added attractions of a Bring and Buy Stall, Plant Stall and a raffle. The raffle was drawn by Councillor Chris Mote , Deputy Mayor of Harrow. All items were donated by members.

It was a good opportunity for members of Harrow in Europe to meet and chat, which during the year can be difficult. It was encouraging and pleasing to be able to see so many of our supporters.

We would like to thank everyone for coming along and helping us to raise money towards future projects. The total sum raised was £300.

We look forward to seeing you all again on Saturday 5^th December at the Civic Centre for the Christmas Brunch. It gives everyone an opportunity to find out the support we give to a variety of projects as all those benefiting from Harrow in Europe are asked to give a presentation.