Leek Life March/April 2014 | Page 40

LEEK TWINNING COMMITTEE Arrivederci Helen - Twinning Committee say a fond farewell n January 2014 Leek Twinning Committee was saddened by the resignation of its chairman Helen Ratcliffe. Helen has been of great support to the committee both here in Leek and in Este. She first joined the committee in 2004 and was elected to the position of chair in 2006 when John Fisher stepped down. Helen submitted four successful grant applications to the EU, including three Remembrance Weekends in Leek when the town and its Twinning Committee welcomed Este Veterans. She co-ordinated visits made to Este by The Phoenix Singers and Leek Choral Society to join in concerts with Italian choirs, and also exhibitions by Leek College of Art. Helen was part of the organisation of the Leek Medieval 800 event in June 2007 and was instrumental in arranging for the first visit of a group of flower arrangers from Rudyard Flower Club to attend the ‘Este in Fiore’ event in April 2008 and the very successful