Rayne Badge

RAYNE  Twinning  Association

Rayne Village, near Braintree, Essex, England

Twinned with VERBERIE,   France

Verberie Badge
formation   Formation of Twinning
charter   The Charter [Slow Download]
officers   Officers of the Association
Calendar   Current Calendar
constitution   Constitution
faqs   Frequently Asked Questions
Rayne Twinning logo oldrayne   Old Rayne
modrayne   Modern Rayne
overberie   Old Verberie
mverberie   Modern Verberie
visits   Visits
maps   Maps
  Verberie Website  Verberie Website

Verberie is about 40 miles [65km] north of Paris in the Departement of Oise in the region of Picardie, which coincidently is twinned with Essex.   Although about the same size as Rayne in terms of population, Verberie has the appearance of a small town and the facilities to match.  Rayne villagers on the other hand, being so close to the town of Braintree, make use of the amenities provided there.
Map of France with Verberie

Twinning Weekend 30th April-2nd May 2011

Yet another great weekend was enjoyed by all members of the Rayne Twinning Association.  An early morning start saw us arriving in a sunny Verberie in the early afternoon.

After an enthusiastic warm welcome by our hosts we had a free afternoon walking in the countryside or along the River Oise, around the town, shopping in Verberie or just relaxing, catching up on the news with long-established friends.

We all met up again for aperitifs in the courtyard of the Chateau d'Aramont, before an evening reception in the chateau where we were entertained by a magician and a singer whilst enjoying a buffet prepared by our hosts.

On Sunday morning two coaches travelled through the countryside (one of the larger roundabouts had rows of grape vines growing - this could surely only happen in France!) - to Meru to the Musee de la Nacre et de la Tabletterie (Shell Museum), where we watched demonstrations of the traditional manufacture of mother of pearl buttons before wandering through the displays of exquisite ivory fans and other items made from shells while the children had a great time on the computers or playing in the large pool of buttons.

A superb lunch was served in the historic Ferme du Roy at nearby Anserville before continuing to the Steam Museum at Butry-en-Oise where, after looking round the various railway engines and coaches in the engine shed, we were treated to a ride on a vintage train pulled by an ancient steam engine with the tricolore and the union flag linked on the front of the engine with a spray of lily-of-the-valley (a French symbol of good luck on May Day).

On Monday morning we were wished Bon Voyage by the local radio station before saying farewell to our French friends.

En route back to Calais we stopped off at Arras with its magnificent baroque gothic town hall and cathedral and where we sat outside the restaurants for lunch in the 1000 year old Market Square in the glorious sunshine.

Once again this was an extremely enjoyable visit organised by our hosts.  This year our members spanned 7 decades in ages.

 
 

Calendar 2011

 
Fri 21st Jan.Annual General MeetingThe Swan (back room)  8:15pm
Sat 26thBarn DanceVillage Hall, Doors will open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start.  Tickets £10 per person (bring your own drinks and snacks).  The caller will be the highly recommended R.W. Sibthorpe.  Admission will be by ticket only - these will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.  If you would like any tickets, please contact Betty on 345810 or Sheila on 326742.
w/e 30 April
- 2 May  
Rayne Visit to Verberiearrive about mid-day
Sat 3rd Sep.'A Night at the Races'With Carol & John Coles 7:30 - first race at 8pm emailcarolanncoles@supanet.com   We will provide soft drinks and nibbles, bring your own stronger drinks.
Sun 11th Sep. Joint Committee Meeting
In Sandwich, Kent
Meeting for both Committees.
Others visit the town.   details later.
All members welcome.
Sat 22nd Oct.Quiz Eveningmore details to follow

more info. If you would like more information
then please email -
Link to Rayne Website Link to Rayne Page
Twinning@Rayne-info.org.uk
 © Geoffrey Stone, Braintree 20-7-2003
  Valid HTML 4.0 Transitional     Last Update 11-6-2011