Downpatrick Twinning Partnership Holds AGM

This all resulted in over 170 people visiting Downpatrick from across its ten European twinning partners. “Downpatrick also participated in several exchanges to its partner towns including the Qudrae Festival (Chiari), the annual Wine Festival (Szekszard), the Arts and Culture Conference (Listowel) and a tourism conference (Jelgava). [caption id="attachment_23048" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Some of the members of the Downpatrick Twinning Partnership enjoy the old rustic charm at The Mill at Ballydugan, just before their annual general meeting."][/caption] During the meeting the Treasurer, Mr David Trotter gave an overview of the Partnerships financial position which showed the group had secured over £70,000 in funding throughout the past year and in addition this helped generate an indirect economic benefit of over £55,000 to the county town.” The election of Office Bearers for the incoming year took place with John Noble, Patricia Gilchrist and David Trotter re-elected as President, Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Nine Vice-Presidents were also elected to manage the day to day activities for the ten towns that Downpatrick is officially twinned with. The establishment of a new Downpatrick Twinning Youth Partnership also took place at the meeting with new members James Bell, Sarah Louise CrGareth Jones, Ashling Trainor, Sophie McLaughlin, Chris Healy, Adam Burling and John Trainor all joing the ranks. Mr Nobe added, “This new Youth Partnership will be meeting over the coming weeks to develop a programme of youth exchanges and mentoring and training support, which will compliment the on-going work programme of the Partnership. “Anyone wishing to join the Downpatrick Twinning Partnership or the Youth Partnership should email [email protected] or telephone myself, John Noble on 07711 561433.”]]>