Midsomer Norton Judo Club recently welcomed nineteen members from AS Ambares Judo-Jujitsu, from Ambares et Lagrave, for the 36th year of their twinning exchange.
The French club visited for three days and took part in various activities, and as always, everyone involved had a great time.
On the first day, the visitors spent the morning with their host families, before taking part in a training session which was instructed by AS Ambares Judo-Jujitsu’s Hervé Branger and Midsomer Norton’s Matthew Hucker, followed by a randori challenge, where members of each club competed against each other. In the evening, everyone gathered at the home of one of the host families for pizza and drinks.
Day Two saw everyone visit Wookey Hole, where they explored the caves and had lunch before returning home for another training session. Afterwards, members from both clubs exchanged gifts. This was followed by a disco in the evening and a presentation of the twinning trophy between Midsomer Norton Judo Club’s Mark Comer and AS Ambares’ Gilles Poeydaban. The twinning trophy is traditionally passed between the clubs every year.
The morning of Day Three saw everyone visit Clifton Suspension Bridge, and this was followed by an afternoon on Bristol Downs where members from both clubs had a picnic and took part in some ball games. The final evening saw everyone gather at a local pub for food and drink and the traditional game of skittles.
The French visitors returned home on 24th April and had a safe journey. Midsomer Norton Judo Club look forward to their trip to France next year to keep the exchange going.
Midsomer Norton Judo Club would like to thank everyone that hosted, the club committee and everyone that helped out with the smooth running of the
exchange, especially Mark Comer for organising the event. The club would also like to acknowledge Mr and Mrs A. Crooks for hosting the pizza and drinks night, Westhill Sports and Social Club, Bath Sounds and Tucker’s Grave Inn.
Midsomer Norton Judo Club welcomes people of all ages and abilities. For anyone interested in taking up judo, or for more information on the club, please contact the club via Facebook, or call Colin Taylor on: 01761 419703.
James Hucker