Published: April 30, 2012
Burnham-On-Sea artist's commemorative plates will travel far!

Burnham-On-Sea artist Cora Stock has completed work on making 60 very special plates that will be travelling to 27 countries across Europe.

The plates, which commemorate the European year of volunteering, have this week been presented to the umbrella organisation for all of the 27 town twinning organisations across Europe.

Kevin Waterhouse, the chairman of the Sherborne Douzelage, received the plates ahead of a Volunteer Fair on 3rd-6th May in Sherborne School where representatives from eight countries of Europe will be in attendance, including Mayors from Chojna, Poland plus Tryavna, Bulgaria and Marsaskala, Malta, and councillors from the other towns. They will engage with the Mayor elect and councillors from Sherborne, plus up to 50 voluntary organisations.

"Douzelage is the umbrella organisation for all of the 27 town twinning organisations across Europe and brings together one small town from each of the European Union member countries to foster opportunity and friendship among all the people of its member towns," Cora explained to Burnham-On-Sea.com.

"This project was developed in partnership of Sherborne Douzelage, with the Volunteer Centre Dorset, the Gryphon School, and Sherborne Area Partnership in response to European Year of Volunteering."

"It involves people from the eight towns of Chojna, Poland; Holstebro, Denmark; Köszeg, Hungary; Marsaskala, Malta; Prienai, Lithuania; Sherborne, United Kingdom; Siret, Romania; Tryavna, Bulgaria."

"This is a not-for-profit organization providing opportunity for people of Sherborne and district to build enjoyable and worthwhile relationships between European towns, their individuals and groups of people with common interests."

"This is achieved through a programme of educational, sporting, cultural, musical and civic activities as well as providing opportunities and contacts for groups with common interests."

From this, commercial and tourism opportunities can develop across Europe. Their main aim is to provide towns and voluntary organisations with knowledge, ideas, techniques and access to information on how to set up or enhance Volunteering Programmes with funding from the UK and Europe.

The activity has been funded by the Europe for Citizens Programme and West Dorset District Council, the generosity of local businesses and the participants and their Douzelage member towns.