Dear Friends

This has been a strange year – probably the strangest year since the association began more than 50 years ago. Nothing has happened within the TTA since the end of the Biberach market in December 2019. We had a committee meeting in February, but since then we have depended on sporadic emails. We had hoped to have an AGM in April – but as you know we were still in lockdown. The van has been in its parking spot in the Tendring Council depot in Clacton throughout this time. At present we have not taxed it and have no plans for moving it in the foreseeable future. 

This year we have sadly lost two highly valued and respected members of the TTA. John Wolton passed away in May. When Adrian and I first got involved, John and Judith were very active TTA members. For us they were the epitome of a fit, retired couple. One that we hoped to emulate! The association has much to thank both John and Judith for in their many roles and we will all miss John very much. 

The other person who passed away this year was Paul Sharpe: he was my predecessor and a dedicated chairman who worked hard during his term of office. He led the TTA through a busy period in its history. He organised English courses, trips to Valence, Biberach and Swidnica. Last year we had a meal at The Pavillion to celebrate the end of the Clacton market and both John and Paul were with us. Paul was already wheelchair bound although he was still able to speak to us, we were saddened to see his decline. The association would like to remember both Judith and Sue as they approach their first Christmas without their partners.

I would like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2021. We will, of course, organise an AGM as soon as we are able to. In the meantime, I would ask you if you could help the Biberach twinners. This is what they are asking for:  ‘we were asked by the Schwäbische Zeitung, our local newspaper, to ask our partners in the twinning towns for a short report about – 

– How you spent christmas

– How people are doing in Tendring

– What is actually worrying you

– What are your wishes for 2021

Pictures would be welcome. ‘

If any of you would like to send me a brief email by the 1st January 2021, I would very much appreciate your input.

Stay safe, everybody!

Joy Phillips, Chairman,  Tendring Twinning Association