Twin Club Jarnac
In the early 1960′s Rotary were very keen to make contact with Clubs in Europe. Investigations were started and after some while a member of our Club, the late Alan Bush, who happened to be the local Customs and Excise Officer, and the late Tony Palmer found a way to contact the Rotary Club of Jarnac. Bridport moved first and an invitation was sent for a visit from Friday to Sunday.
Our Twin Club of JARNAC, France.
The town of Jarnac sits on the River Charente, about 40 miles upriver from the Atlantic ocean
Jarnac is a town of 4800 inhabitants, depending mainly on agriculture and more specifically on the cognac industry since it is situated in the heart of the cognac area (head office of Courvoisier, Delamain, Hine,Royer,and other small companies).
It is also known as the birthplace of François Mitterand,who was President de la République from 1981 to 1995.
Situated on the river Charente, surrounded by vineyards on gentle slopesand small villages with beautiful norman churches, it is a pretty town and at short distance from the sea (La Rochelle) or from the Périgord area.
The Courvoisier factory has a dominating position beside the river.
The Rotary Club of Jarnac Pennant
The three fishes are the emblem of Jarnac. They are called "chabot" or cat fish. Chabot was also the name of a man who became baron de Jarnac , through marriage, in1410. It is believed that such surname was given to one of his ancestor because he had a large ( and maybe ugly) face. But the fish appeared in the Chabot coat of arms and was later taken by the city of Jarnac.
April 2010 Jarnac Rotary members visit Bridport
Visiting Forde Abbey
Dinner at West Bay Golf Club. Bernard Hine (standing behind Jarnac’s president Dominique Martin) thanks our President and talks about our link and previous get togethers.
L-R Mike Gurd, Agnes Hine, Bernard Hine and Robert Maltby
Two very old friends, Past Presidents Justin Mallinson and Bernard Hine
Andrew Lobb, the lead organiser of the visit