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Our French visitors arrived early on Saturday morning, and were met at the ferry port by C-Cars, a Hayling Taxi company, who gave their services free for the weekend. They were brought to Mengham Rythe Sailing Club, who had prepared a typical English "Big Breakfast". All the English host families arrived by 7:30am and after breakfast, took them to their various houses for a quick wash and change.
At 10:30 everyone met at the Hayling Library:
A general view of the group outside Hayling Library
before the signing ceremony.
The group was joined by various local 'dignitaries', including David Willetts MP for Havant, and Frank Pearce, Mayor of Havant
Jean-Marc and Lydie Allain and David Willetts
share a joke while waiting for proceedings to start
The start of official proceedings was triggered by the arrival of the TS Renown Band
TS Renown Band arrives at the Library
David Willetts gave a Welcome Speech, replied to by Jean-Marc Allain,
Mayor of Gorron:
David Willetts MP giving a Welcome speech outside the Library
(Left to right - Paul Fisher, Lydie and Jean Marc
Allain, David Willets MP, Mrs and Frank Pearce, Nick Dabinnet,
Catherine Duchemin, Averil Pollicott, Francis Triart, Freddy Dyer)
Everyone then entered the Library where the Twinning Charters of both
towns were signed.
Jean-Marc Allain, Mayor of Gorron about to sign the
Twinning Charter,
watched by David Willetts (MP for Havant) and
Mrs Pearce
.
The Mayors and our MP joined hands.
and then a cake donated by the Lions Club of Hayling was cut and shared around, accompanied by Bucks-Fizz.
Meanwhile the band played on in the sunshine outside:
The assembled crowd then went into the Library garden where a 'Calvados' Apple Tree donated by the town of Cormeilles was planted by both Mayors.
The Mayor of Gorron, Jean-Marc Allain,with his
assistant Valerie Louveau
David Willetts MP gives a bottle of 'House of Commons'
Whisky to Jean-Marc.
At about 12:30 everyone drove up to the Hayling Bridge and assembled for the unveiling of the official Twinning Road Sign:
The two Mayors on the draw strings!
and Jean-Marc Allain gave Frank Pearce a print of the Gorron 'Hôtel de Ville'
Frank Pearce holding a picture of the Gorron Town Hall
given to him by Jean-Marc Allain
The main participants collected under the new sign for a 'photo opportunity':
From then on the weekend was filled with fun and lots of good food and drink.
On Sunday evening we were all welcomed at the Rose in June Pub, where an excellent buffet had been prepared. A fun quiz in both French and English was held and at 22:00 the transport arrived to take our guests to the Port for their homeward journey.
Jean-Marc Allain pulls a pint at the Rose in June...
... and seems to enjoy it!!
If you would like more information then either mail Katie by clicking here or Averil by clicking here
Page updated 14 April 2001
added 3 August 1998