There were flowers everywhere in Louviers- in the streets, on bridges, all over the roundabouts,” says Weymouth & Portland Mayor Coun. Ray Banham, “it was the same in every town we passed- flowers everywhere.”
The Mayor and Mayoress Coun Pam Nixon led the civic visit to Weymouth & Portland’s twin town in Normandy, the party of 44 spending three days in Louviers. They were welcomed by Louviers’ First Deputy Mayor Roland Lienard at the Twinning Dinner, on behalf of Mayor Franck Martin.
Coun. Banham praised the 55 years of friendship between the towns and looked forward to the link continuing for a long time. He highlighted the refurbishment of the Louviers lamp standard, presented to Weymouth on the 30th. anniversary of the twinning. It stands at the corner of Westham Road and Frederick Place. The evening ended with the traditional exchange of gifts as Coun. Banham presented First Deputy Mayor of Louviers Roland Lienard with a framed picture and a silver yacht, engraved with Weymouth 2012 on the sail. “The Mayoress and I received a fantastic welcome from the French Mayor and members. On our first visit, we enjoyed the lovely town centre and especially the very interesting Notre Dame church.,” comments Coun. Banham.
Weymouth Twinning Chairman Cath Irving told the Mayors, “It’s such a delight to be in Louviers again and we feel real members of your families- having watched your children grow, shared the weddings and births of grandchildren. It makes us so happy to be here with you again.”
The Society hopes more exchange visits can be arranged for young people between Weymouth, Portland and Louviers. “This year we had a request for young people in Louviers to learn to sail on the tall ship Pelican,” continued Cath Irving. “Seven young people between the ages of 16 and 25 are being offered this opportunity.”
First Deputy Mayor Roland Lienard made a special presentation to Doris Eastwood, who has been the Honorary Town Crier of Louviers for 30 years.
The Weymouth delegation were in Louviers from Friday to Monday, a mixture of official and family events. The official receptionon Saturday night, at which 120 French and English members attended, was followed by a family picnic on Sunday, then a visit to the Villarceaux Estate, close to the border of Ile de France and Normandy, which in William the Conqueror’s time was a very important strategic location.
The reciprocal visit of the Mayor of Louviers to Weymouth takes place next June.
Photograph attached. [left to right:] Jacqueline Hamon [Chairman of the Louviers Twinning Society,] Coun. Pam Nixon [Mayoress of Weymouth & Portland,] Coun. Ray Banham [Mayor of Weymouth & Portland,] Doris Eastwood [Honorary Town Crier of Louviers,] Roland Lienard [First Deputy Mayor of Louviers.]
Photograph by Trevor Matthews.
Michel Hooper-Immins
