Successful 48th General Meeting in Sherborne, UK

The much anticipated 48th General Meeting of the Douzelage took place in our UK partner town of Sherborne over the weekend of April 11th – 14th 2024.

140 delegates gathered from 23 of the 28 member towns across Europe to come together under the theme of “Well-being through Nature and Music”. The sun shone for the weekend as old friends and newcomers (who left as friends) descended on the traditional Dorset town to discuss the business of the agendas of the general, education and youth meetings as well as experiencing the culture of the town and surrounding areas through nightly musical performances and sightseeing trips to the areas of outstanding natural beauty in the Dorset area.

The new board with the outgoing board – back row L-R – Thorsten Wohleser (AT), Shane Smyth (IE), Maria Črnac Rocco (HR) and Evelin Koev (BG). Front row L-R Tibi Rotaru (RO), Annigje Kruytbosch (NL), Mette Sørensen (DK) and Miha Ješe (SL) – pic Uli Fielitz

The GM underway at the Digby Hall, Sherborne

Excursions in keeping with the theme of “Well-being through Nature and Music” included the Ryewater Nursery, Kingcombe Meadows, Wild Woodbury Project, Wild Chesil Centre and RSPB Arne as well as an historical walking tour of Sherborne town led by Honorary Douzelage President Jeremy Barker.

Ryewater Nursery – pic Hannah Mc Nulty

The GM also saw the election of a new president and three vice presidents following the outgoing board’s 8 year term (2 x 3 years and 2 extra years due to Covid). Following the election process, Shane Smyth (Bundoran, IE) was elected as the organisation’s sixth president with Maria Crnac Rocco (HR), Thorsten Wohleser (AT) and Evelin Koev (BG) being appointed as Vice Presidents – all for a three year term until 2027.
Following the election, incoming President Shane Smyth thanked the outgoing board of Annigje Kruytbosch – President (NL), Tibi Rotaru – Vice-President (RO), Mette Sorensen – Vice President (DK) and Miha Jese – Vice President (SL) for their work over the previous 8 years and their service to Douzelage and wished them well in the future.
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