Founded 1975 Twin town:- Villers Bocage, Calvados, Normandy, FRANCE
Promoting visits, exchanges & links with our French Twin Town & the surrounding region of Calvados.
The town of Villers Bocage was totally destroyed in WWII as the D-Day landings gained beachheads in the Normandy area. The town was taken by the Allies, then lost in a ferocious counter attack by the Germans before being retaken by the invasion forces. Only one farmhouse & half a church remained standing after the onslaught.
Villers Bocage 1944
A modern town has emerged from the ruins, quite unlike Bampton with its 1000 years of history.
Villers Bocage Church 1957
However, we, Bamptonians, are always assured of a very warm welcome on our visits, which are planned to be great fun but also very interesting for young & old, learning about local customs & traditions.
Twinning visits are planned yearly, normally about the May Bank Holiday time,with the French coming to Bampton one year & us going to Normandy the next year, travelling by coach & ferry. These visits are the highlight of the year, meeting old friends, making new ones & giving both communities the opportunity of showing their guests the very best hospitality they can offer.
Fundraising is vital to cover the costs of these two-yearly visits, on the basis that when the French visit us in Bampton, they pay for their own travel costs but all expenses of their time here is paid for by the Association & the host families. That arrangement is reciprocated when we visit France. Costs are substantial, ca £5000-£6000 over two years so fundraising is an important part of the Association's agenda. Fortunately, the team spirit within the Association has always been good so fundraising is great fun, well supported & a very enjoyable way of filling the coffers. Examples of events are BBQ's, supper parties, dances, camel race nights & treasure hunts by foot or vehicle ( see future events)
Camel Racing
The Association meets every 4/6 weeks & all members invited to attend & have their say in all matters. They are normally held in members homes( when possible) on rotation which helps reduce costs. Well supported, the chairman keeps the meetings short & they always end in a social atmosphere as we enjoy a glass (or two) from our store of wines collected during visits to Villers Bocage.