13/07/10….Thame-Sinaia Friendship Association launched

THE inaugural meeting of the Thame-Sinaia Friendship Association took place at Racquets, Thame, on Friday evening 09/07/10, and the constitution of the Association unanimously approved by the participants.

David Bretherton was elected Chairman, and Nigel Champken-Woods, Deputy Chairman. The new committee includes Jeannette Matelot Green as Fundraising Officer, James Green as Treasurer, and Marius Ciortan as Secretary.

Jeannette Matelot Green, former Mayor of Thame, said: ?Our first meeting was a great success. Everyone who came was enthusiastic and full of ideas for future ventures with Sinaia. Thame has a thriving group of snowboarders and one of their members, Nick Wynd, was keen to hear about snowboarding possibilities in the Sinaia ski resort. Our aim is to include as many associations and clubs as possible to be involved, as this new Friendship Association should include representatives of the whole community.?

Marius Ciortan, one of the Association’s initiators, said: ?We hope people and families from the Thame area will join our new group and visit Sinaia, also known as the ?Pearl of the Carpathians? during a long weekend planned for November.

“There are plenty of things to be done there: walks in the mountains and relaxing, whilst visiting the Peles Castle is a must. For the brave ones, there are plenty of opportunities too: they can do trekking, mountain biking during the spring, summer, or autumn, and skiing and snowboarding during the winter, as Sinaia?s ski slopes go to over 6,500 feet (2,000 metres) altitude.?

Bert Ingram, Chair of Thame & District Classic Motor Club said: ? I talked with Vlad Oprea, the Mayor of Sinaia, on his visit in April and, whilst it is a bit far for most of us to drive in our classic cars, they do have a fantastic Rally during their festival and we may be able to get to watch that. We may, however, get some brave souls to drive there, never say never!?

Nigel Champken-Woods, past Chairman of the Thame & District Twinning (Montesson) Association said: ?Whilst the numbers involved with the Sinaia Friendship Association are relatively small at the moment, when the Twinning with Montesson started, we only even had five or six members and look how that has flourished over 10 years. I am sure this new Friendship Association will be equally as successful.?

The next meeting of the Friendship Association is expected to take place at Racquets on Friday, September 3, at 7 pm. To join the Association is very easy and the annual membership fee is only