21st - 25th April 2023:
Twinning visit to Buxton
Programme of Events
Please note: In unforeseen circumstances details may have to be amended. Any last minute changes will be posted on the website
There is a concise programme leaflet, which you can download here, detailing what is happening and when, which you can print out and share with your guests should you wish.
Friday 21st April
5:45pm for a 6pm arrival (estimated) - Reception at Buxton Community School, in the Gothic Hall
Drinks Reception
with Optional Supper Buffet.
We have organised a welcome drink and a supper buffet at the Community School to greet our guests. If you would like to partake of the buffet, which will be partially subsidised by the Association, we would ask for a contribution of £7 per head. There is no charge for your French Guests.
Alternatively, you may prefer to take your guests home straight after the reception drink, rather than staying around for the buffet.
Please note: - When arriving by car on Friday Evening to meet your guests at the Buxton Community School, can you please use the entrance on College Road? Parking is available on the adjacent tennis courts.
Saturday 22nd April
9:30am - Joint meeting of the Committees at the Pavilion Café, Pavilion Gardens
Joint Committee meeting, committee members only
10:45am for 11:00am - Meet at the Town Hall for the Service of Remembrance
Followed by refreshments at Bath Road Church Centre
The remembrance parade will finish in the Town Square in Higher Buxton. Please join us afterwards, along with your guests, for some light refreshments at the Bath Road Church Centre, round the corner in Bath Road, SK17 6HJ. These will be served in the hall, and will include la bière pression (draught beer) brewed in Oignies, and kindly supplied by Nicolas Thévenette from his very own micro brewery, la Brasserie Alceste.
2:30pm - Jim's Tour of the Famous, Unusual and Curious Sights of Buxton
Meet by the Opera House - Front Entrance
Over the last year or so, leading up to the 2023 Twinning Visit to Buxton Jim Marriott has been posting a weekly pictorial feature representing the town and its surroundings. As well as some of the town's more famous landmarks, this illustrated countdown has depicted some less well known and more curious local features. You can see the latest picture here, and the full countdown starts here.
On the Saturday afternoon Jim will be leading a guided walk, of about an hour and a half, around Buxton. The walking tour will visit many of the sights featured in the countdown, including some of those more curious and lesser known, with commentary and fascinating facts provided by Jim.
Please let us know via email : friendsofoignies@gmail.com if you and your French guests would like to join the tour, to give us an idea of numbers.
7pm - Harry Potter Themed Soirée at Hogwarts (AKA The Palace Hotel)
Please come along dressed as your favourite character from the Harry Potter novels.
We will be taking group photographs between 7:15 and 7:30 so please arrive in time for this if you wish to be included.
The evening will include a three course dinner with wine followed by tea or coffee, and live music. This event is also subsidised by the Association, and we have been able to negotiate a great price of just £35 per head, or £25 for children (without wine!). As usual there is no charge for our guests from Oignies.
Sunday 23th April
Journée libre / Free day to spend with your visitors
There are no organised events on Sunday. During twinning visits, one day is usually left aside, to spend time with your guests from Oignies, as an opportunity do something which appeals to individual tastes.
Monday 24th April
9am - Day Trip to Bakewell and Thornbridge Hall
Coaches depart from Burlington Road
We'll be driving by coach to Bakewell, taking the scenic route through the Chatsworth Estate. Arriving in Bakewell there will be an opportunity to explore the town, and visit the famous monthly Farmers’ Market, which will be taking place that Monday.
We will then travel the couple of miles to Thornbridge Hall for a two course dinner with wine, followed by an afternoon spent in the Hall and grounds. Here we will contest the annual Albert Boitrel Trophy between Buxton and Oignies. After a string of defeats in recent years let's hope we can do better this year! This will be followed by afternoon tea and cake before returning to Buxton. We expect to back in Burlington Road around 6pm.
The subsidised price per head for the day is £35 per head, £20 for children. No charge for our guests from Oignies.
Tuesday 25th April
Change of time !!!
Departure of our guests from Burlington Road - Meet at 7:30am
Please arrive in good time with your guests and their luggage to allow for a smooth and timely departure at 8am.
