Schools in Hythe

Opening of National Hop Museum, Poperinge, 20/10/06

At the invitation of the Burgomaster of Poperinge, Christof Dejaegher, Hythe Twinning Association members attended the opening of the refurbished National Hop Museum in Poperinge, Belgium, on October 20^th. Chairman Kevin Howell, secretary Amanda Parris and Stewart Weller were joined by Mayor of Hythe Cllr Neil Matthews and his wife Sally.

A welcome in the Town Hall was followed by congratulatory speeches from Jan Durnez (representative of the Province of Westflanders) and Geert Bourgeois (Flemish Minister for Tourism and Media). Guido Vandermarliere (President,local hop heritage association “De Keteniers” ) related the history of the hop in the region.

We then paraded to the Museum for the official opening, performed by M Dejaegher, and a short tour. The Museum has been modernised, with new information boards. These were produced with the aid of Hythe Twinning Association’s links with Shepherd Neame Brewery, who provided technical help with the wording.

A reception followed in the newly-built extension to the Museum which will serve as an exhibition space as well as the main entrance to the Museum. At the reception, one of the town’s many bands, “De Keilbloazers”, provided the music while the local beer, “Hommel”, quenched any thirst built up during the speeches!

The refurbishment has resulted in a really impressive display of local product and craft, not to be missed if you are visiting the area.

For details of Poperinge, and our other Twin Town of Berck-sur-Mer in France, contact Amanda Parris (01303 268375) or Kevin Howell (01303 266301, Thresher, Hythe).

The accompanying photo shows, left to right: Amanda Parris, Kevin Howell, Josie Lesarge (Alderman for Tourism, Poperinge),Stewart Weller, Neil Matthews, Sally Matthews; kneeling: Seline Riquiere, Lisbeth Lietaer, Femke Deroo (Poperinge Hop Queen and Princesses).

Presentation by Hythe Twinning Association of an ash tree to our Belgian twin town of Poperinge as a symbol of our long friendship and to mark their 20th Hopfest. 17/9/05

L to R: Stewart Weller, Dennis and Mave Bradley, Mandy Parris, Kevin Howell, Sally and Neil Matthews.

	Hythe Twinning Association
	The Association was founded in 1978 by a group of forward thinking people who realised that our future was linked to Europe. To this end they looked at several towns in France, Belgium and Germany before they chose Poperinge & Berck. The connection with Poperinge is via Toc H and Lord Wakefield. The Rev Tubby Clayton started Toc H at Talbot House in Poperinge which was used by him to set up a rest centre for officers coming out from the Front. When the house came on the market in about 1929, Lord Wakefield, a personal friend of Tubby, bought it and presented it to Toc H. It has been the 'Mecca' of that association ever since. A local representative has served on this association's committee since it's inception. Berck-sur-Mer was chosen because of it's similarity to Hythe. A seasonal sea-side resort with about the same population facing us across the Channel. In addition, Portex had set up a factory there to comply with French regulations for supplying their Health Service and this provided a starting point. The aim of the Association is to foster friendship with the peoples of our twin towns and to encourage - activities, hospitality, exchanges etc. Membership is open to all including other organisations, membership fees are only £5 per year for individuals or £7 for the family. The Association is entirely independent of any other body, Officers and the Executive Committee being elected by the members. In each case the Charters were signed after two or three years of "getting to know you" exchanges, Berck in 1981 and Poperinge in 1982. It is in our constitution that the Mayor of Hythe is asked to be our President during their turn in office. So far we have only had one refusal since 1978. Our primary task is to be facilitators and enablers, encouraging groups and organisations particularly the young people to make contact with their counterparts in the twin towns. For more information contact Amanda Parris on 01303 268375 or e-mail at hythe.twinning@hydanthe.freeuk.com