A TWINNING association has issued a plea for help as cash flow problems threaten its existence heading into its 20th anniversary year. Great Dunmow s Twinning Association, which oversees links to Dourdan in France, is struggling to keep afloat due to risi

A TWINNING association has issued a plea for help as cash flow problems threaten its existence heading into its 20th anniversary year.

Great Dunmow's Twinning Association, which oversees links to Dourdan in France, is struggling to keep afloat due to rising costs and commitments to further events.

Acting chairman David Barron said the forthcoming AGM is very important for the group because decisions on the future need to be made.

He said: "We must consider the future. The costs of running the association and our events have increased over recent years, to the extent that we are finding it difficult to pay our way.

"Our original membership is now, not surprisingly, ageing, and is not being augmented by a younger generation. The committee is now quite small in numbers and the time involved in running the show could become burdensome."

The AGM on December 4 at the Dunmow Day Centre on Chequers Lane provides the perfect opportunity to attract new members and get people more involved. It will also double as a pleasant wine and cheese party.

Mr Barron said: "I intend to spend some time as part of the AGM to ask for views about the way forward. For example, to discuss how to expand our membership into newer and younger areas of the town."

Next year will be the 20th anniversary of the original twinning agreement between the two towns, and the association is organising a visit to Dourdan in May to celebrate that event.

Anyone can go to the AGM which starts just at 7.30pm. For more information call David Barron on 01371 859803.