Following many weeks of planning, 27 members of the Twinning Association were up bright and early on Wednesday 20th April to board a coach en-route to Château du Loir.
Very soon we were all aboard a Brittany Ferries sailing to Ouistreham in Northern France and enjoying some welcome refreshments at our overnight stop at a hotel in Falaise.
The following morning we had time to visit either the castle where William the Conquerer was born or a museum of animated window displays from the early 1900’s, before continuing our journey south.
On arrival at the ‘Rue de Westbury’ we were greeted by the Mayor of Château du Loir, other members of their Council and the host families for the weekend. A ceremony followed to inaugurate the road sign that had been embellished with the coats of arms of both Westbury and Château du Loir.
After the welcome speeches and presentation of gifts we all sang Happy Birthday for our Queen’s 90th birthday and we were treated to drinks and nibbles before retiring with our hosts for the night.
The Friday was very busy visiting a Cavalry museum at the Military college in Saumur followed by lunch of ‘sandwiches with a difference’ in a troglodyte restaurant. The bread, called ‘Foue’ from an ancient recipe was cooked over wood in a stone oven and served piping hot at the table to be filled with various delicacies.
After lunch a tour around the cellars of a well known wine producer and a sampling of their wine was well received. During the celebration meal in the evening we were entertained by a medieval folk group and lots of people enjoyed joining in with the dancing.
Saturday was free to spend with hosts, and our members took part in lots of differing visits around the local area, then all too soon Sunday arrived and we were gathering for a send off by a group playing their traditional hunting horns. After saying our goodbyes we boarded the coach for the return journey.
We arrived back in Westbury after another very successful visit to our Twin Town, and we are now looking forward to meeting them all next year here in Westbury.
Jean Dew, Chairman of the Association.
Are you interested in joining the Twinning? Please contact Jean on 01373 864935 for more information.
