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Current entry in the Wrington Village Journal

The main item at the Members’meeting on 13 March was discussion of plans for Wrington to participate in the annual feria at Villeneuve, followed by a screening of the delightful short film 'Le Ballon Rouge’. The feria is a three-day festival with music, exhibitions of horsemanship, boules competitions and other events. Each evening a number of different open-air parties ('bodegas') are hosted by various groups at different sites in the village, and we have been offered a prime site in the main square. The feria itself lasts 3 days but there is a longer window (2-9 July) since some people will travel down at the beginning of the week to start some preparations and simply enjoy the place… The Twinning Association has applied for an EU grant towards the cost of the project. If successful, we will receive £5,000 towards expenses - provided there are 25 participants from Wrington. We are planning three strands within the Festival framework, each of which will provide plenty of opportunities for engaging with a range of people in Villeneuve: 1. A Citizen's Meeting at which we can discuss with residents of Villeneuve ways of developing understanding and engagement between the two communities; 2. Encounters and Events: informal meetings combined with sports, games (for younger members) leisure activities that allow Wringtonians to participate and contribute an English dimension to the social events in Villeneuve over the weekend; 3. The 'Wrington@Villeneuve' bodega: our contribution to the evening festivities, introducing the Villeneuvians to some West Country foods, drinks, produce and festive activities (music, pub games, barn dance, etc) To get a flavour of the festivities see an account of last year's event on the Twinning Association page of the village website at:                                                            www.wrington.net/organisations/2011/twinningferiareport.htm So why not consider taking a flight for an enjoyable summer weekend (to Béziers or another airport in the region), or making the trip as part of a longer summer break? There are an enormous number of attractions: Villeneuve is on the Canal de Midi, close to some fine Mediterranean beaches (some with the option of a wide range of seaside attractions, others without…) close to the Cévennes national park, and in the heart of a fabulous wine region. The Languedoc is a region full of historical interest, and within striking distance of Montpellier, one of Europe's most lively cities. For further information, contact John Adams on 01275 474233 or email john.adams@bristol.ac.uk