Trefor Thynne has advised: . Heelevoetsluis is of course Torbay's twin town, the link originating from the fact that in1688 WILLIAM OF ORANGE landed at BRIXHAM on his way (via Forde House in Newton Abbot!) to take the English throne. There is a statue on the harbour at Brixham to commemorate the landing. In 1988 Queen Elizabeth ll visited both Hellevoetsluis and Torquay to mark the tercentenary of these events. The then mayor of Torbay, Dennis Reid, also happened to be the chairman of the Governors at Torquay Boys' G.S. from which the link with me and the establishment of contact with the very active chess club in the town of Hellevoetsluis. In 1994 I took a party of 20 juniors to play in Hellevoetsluis and in 1996 a group of adults including Tim Hay, Bill Tindal and Ian Mason made another visit. For their part the Dutch made at least two reciprocal visits to Devon playing matches at Totnes, Exmouth and Teignmouth as well as TBGS. Tim and I have both maintained friendly contact with the chief organiser in Hellevoetsluis, JAN STRAATMAN and it was his idea to come over this year with just a few friends. The programme is: Sat 17th July - arrival at Exeter Airport a.m .followed by match versus EXMOUTH. Sun 18th July - 6 team 4 board rapidplay tournament at Newton Abbot: teams - Newton Abbot, Torquay, Plymouth, Bovey Tracey, Brixham and Hellevoetsluis Mon 19th July a.m.- boat trip on Dart followed by match v Teignmouth in the evening Tues 20th - Departure |