Middleburg / Folkestone Rowing Exchange

Folkestone Rowing Club have been involved with an exchange with Honte Rowing Club in Middleburg for some years. Orginally this was part of the Anglo Nederlands Sporting & Cultural Association Exchange (A.N.S.C.A) where various groups from Folkestone (Twinned with Middleburg) would visit each others town on tri-annual basis. Since most clubs and associations have stopped going this no longer happens ona formal basis under the ANSCA banner. The two rowing clubs have continued to the relationship.

2007 visit to Folkestone by Honte.

After a few years break members of Honte RC visited there collegues at Folkestone.

2008 Visit to Middleburg

On the 23rd May eleven people from Folkestone ventured through the channel tunnel to by car to Middleburg for a four day planned event at Honte RC. For those that had been on the ANSCA journeys on a seven hour boat trip this was a little different in that we were in three cars. (Hmm, why is that lorry on the same side of the road as me!!)

Friday Welcome

The group were warmly welcomed by there hosts and enjoyed an evening BBQ at the clubhouse on the banks of the canal. It was nice to meet some of the faces that we had seen the year before, some who had been there a few years! There were a lot of young people out rowing which was good to see. A bit of rowing from the few of us who couldnt wait to get onto the calm canals. At the end of the evening it was off to our hosts, some on the normal mode of transport for the Nederlands. BIKES!

Club Captain, Marc looks a bit wobbly here!! ARE YOU SURE WHERE ON THE RIGHT SIDE??

Saturday

On Saturday the Queen arrived in town. No, Not for us! All the same a few of us were staying close enough to see her and get a photo before heading to the club for some rowing. For some this was to be there first experiance in an eight or river boat. A nice pleasure outing to see what you can.
The afternoon bought time to explore Middleburg and for some to catch up with Friends from years gone by. For some was a chance to sit inthe town square and listen to the various bands that were playing. This was followed by an evening meal in a local restaurant.

Sunday

Sunday was a day of rowing, Honte Club Captain Berd, Mark and Yan had organised a bit of light racing! Light! As if.... A mix of Honte and FRC rowers in each boat to try and balance the crews and a row to Vlissingen (about 14k) with some short sprint races and rowing leap frog.
A group picture for the participants followed by some light lunch before a trip to Veere to see the lock house just purchased by one of the Honte members. Those not finished by the mornings row again donned there rowing gear and rowed to Veere (12k). The rest decided that they would go on there cycles. A nice coup of Tea and then the row / cycle back.
The evening was a meal with your host families. Some banded together and had a course at each house. The food was good and the company better!

Monday

This was the day to travel back to blighty. We said goodbye to our hosts and ventured back through Belgium and France to City Europe at Calais for some light shopping before boarding the shuttle back to Folkestone. So much for trying to get an early shuttle back - due to failures we were delayed an hour from our original time. Still the male voice Choir from Wales were very good and gave a few free concerts while they waited.

Thanks should be noted to Dave (Folkestone) and Mark (Honte) for organising the trip.

Thanks also to our hosts who looked after us so well!!