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Typical
English weather greeted the French when they arrived at
The Larruperz Centre but this did not dampen the spirits
of the welcoming crowd of the Ross/Conde Twinning Association.
Like long lost friends the English hosts hugged and kissed
their French counterparts; many of whom had become lifelong
friends. Others, who were new to twinning, and who were
meeting their guests for the first time, were a little more
reserved.
Around
two hundred guests and hosts crowded into the Larruperz
Centre where a reception had been laid on by the Ross Town
Council. Ross/Conde Chairperson, Sharon Clayton started
off proceedings with a wonderful speech which she delivered
in both English and French; welcoming our friends from overseas
in the thirtieth year of twinning. She was followed by The
Mayor of Ross, the Reverend Derek Bedford, who welcomed
the visitors on behalf of the town. The Mayor of Conde-sur-Noireau
responded for the French.
After
the speeches gifts were exchanged, a painting from the Mayor
of Conde for the Town of Ross and copies of all the Civic
Society Pink publications to the people of Conde. After
refreshments it was all home to catch up with all the news
and dinner.
Saturday
was a free day with hosts entertaining their guests as they
wished until the evening when a Dinner Dance had been arranged
at the Chase Hotel. Two hundred and five turned up for the
event and it was an excellent evening. The atmosphere was
extraordinary with everyone being in a happy mood, especially
as there were to be no speeches. The food was excellent
and the wine flowed. At the end of the meal the Chairperson
of the Conde Association read out a poem she had written
all about the thirty years the twinning between the two
towns had been organised. This was greatly appreciated by
all. A beautiful three tier cake, made by Sue Kirby especially
for the thirtieth anniversary, was then presented and cut
with a sword by the two Chairpersons, Sharon Clayton and
Sylviane Paris. The cake was then distributed to the guests
by hotel staff.
A
trip to Cardiff had been arranged for the Sunday and over
one hundred English and French went on it. However, the
weather was a real disappointment, overcast but dry in Cardiff.
Others who stayed more local had rain most of the day but
still visited the Monmouth Show, Gloucester History Parades
and Hereford. Many families then got together in groups
and had a meal in different hosts' homes.
On
Monday Morning the visitors gathered at the Larruperz Centre
to board their coach ready to take them home. Tears were
shed as friends said their goodbyes saying 'until this time
next year when we will visit you in Conde'. It was a lovely
weekend and over far too soon.
The
visit was covered in last week's Wyenot
News and WNTV programme.
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