LOUVIERS TWINNING DELEGATION ASSURED WHATEVER HAPPENS WITH BREXIT, THE SPIRIT OF TWINNING WILL CONTINUE
“Your visit to Weymouth is very important for us at this time,” Councillor Kevin Brookes, Mayor of Weymouth & Portland, told the delegates from Louviers at a civic reception. “It gives us the reassurance that, whatever position we as a United Kingdom eventually take or whatever deal we eventually agree with the institutions of Europe, the spirit of friendship and co-operation that has been developed over the 59 years of this association will, l am sure, continue well into the future.”
"As you know, the towns of Weymouth and Louviers have been twinned for over 59 years,” continued the Mayor. “One of the primary aims of the twinning movement at that time was to bring together towns and residents from all different parts of Europe, so that we could all learn from each other in a spirit of friendship and co-operation. Over that time there will have been hundreds of residents of both towns who have all made visits to each other’s towns. I’m sure that friendships have been forged and some different cultures and traditions would have been learned from these visits. When l saw you all meeting other members of the Twinning Society yesterday, l was convinced that these have been friendships made and maintained over many years.”
Geoff McDonnell, Chairman of the Weymouth & Portland – Louviers Society, extended a special welcome to Nathalie Fizet on her first visit as President of the French Twinning Society. “We are looking forward to working with Nathalie, to ensure that the bonds of friendship between Weymouth, Portland and Louviers remain strong as ever. I am absolutely certain that Nathalie will make a success of the task she has taken on.” “Today we find ourselves in a world where we face unprecedented acts of terrorism against our peoples, our cultures and our freedoms,” continued Geoff McDonnell. “I am proud of how our countries are united in standing up to this threat and I know we will ultimately prevail. We are grateful for all the individual messages of solidarity and support that you have conveyed. I take the opportunity to congratulate you on the election of Emmanuel Macron, your new President of France. We hope he will be a strong leader, who will bring success and prosperity to France.”
The 39 members of the French delegation were led by Councillor Christian Wuilque, Briefholder for International Relations for Louviers Town Council, on his third visit to Weymouth, representing Mayor Francois-Xavier Priollaud, who was again unable to travel to Weymouth. Mayor and Mayoress of Portland, Councillor David and Liz Thurston, attended the civic reception and joined in the welcome of the French guests. The day after the Civic Reception, English and French Twinning Society members toured Athelhampton House. The Mayor of Weymouth & Portland will lead the reciprocal civic visit to Louviers, which begins on 30 August.
Below: Councillor Christian Wuilque, Briefholder for International Relations for Louviers Town Council [left,] exchanges gifts with Councillor Kevin Brookes, Mayor of Weymouth & Portland at the civic reception.
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