The Mayor of Louviers and the French delegation will enjoy afternoon tea on the lawn of Minterne House, with a tour of the house and gardens, when they visit in May. This is the highlight of the French visit, beginning on 22 May and which should be led by Francois-Xavier Priollaud, elected as Mayor last March and looking forward to his first trip to Weymouth.
The Sunday excursion will tour Dorchester and stop for a pub lunch in Cerne Abbas, before making the short journey to Minterne House, seat of Lord Digby. The previous evening [Saturday 24 May] will see the Twinning Dinner, this year at St. Aldhelm’s Church Hall in Radipole, incorporating a civic reception by the Mayor of Weymouth & Portland.
As Mayor of Weymouth & Portland, Coun Kate Wheller is President of the Weymouth-Louviers Society. Chairing the annual meeting, she told members of discussions with Francois-Xavier Priollaud, the new Mayor of Louviers. “He is very proactive, with lots of ideas on how to progress exchanges and our twinning,” said Coun Wheller, “teachers in Louviers are already in contact with Budmouth School.”
All Officers were re-elected: Cath Irving [Chairman,] Geoff McDonnell [Vice Chairman,] Pam Nicklin [General Secretary,] Tom Martindill [Treasurer,] Alan Roberts [Minutes Secretary,] Ann Rendall [Welfare Secretary,] Janette Martindill [Accommodation Secretary,] Michel Hooper-Immins [Public Relations Officer,] Ted Nicklin [Membership Secretary] and Mary Stone [Assistant Minutes Secretary.] Mike Beecroft was elected to the committee. Alderman Andy Hutchings continues as Auditor.
The Mayor of Weymouth & Portland remains as President, with the Deputy Mayor and the Mayor of Portland as Vice Presidents. Aldermen Roy Gainey and Peter Rendall are Life Vice Presidents.
Tribute was paid to the late David Stone, for many years the Society’s Vice Chairman. On a majority vote, the annual subscription was increased by £8 to £10. Enquiries about joining the Louviers Society should be directed to Secretary Pam Nicklin at 01305 771773.
The twinning between Weymouth and Louviers began in 1958 at a special meeting of Weymouth Borough Council at the Alexandra Gardens, during the mayoralty of Alderman Iseult Legh. Portland has been included since 1974 when the amalgamated council was inaugurated. An English delegation travels to Louviers every September and the French delegation visits in May. Louviers is a historic market town near Rouen in Upper Normandy., 62 miles north west of Paris, with a population of 17,697.
Michel Hooper-Immins
