Westbury twinning team return from France visit

A GROUP has returned from a bi-annual visit to Westbury’s twin town, Château du Loir, after a weekend of experiencing local culture, seeing the sights, and meeting new and old friends.
Highlights of the trip included a visit to a chocolate factory, a reception in Château du Loir, and a visit to the chateau where Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson were married. With the town’s twinning liaison now in its twelfth year, the Westbury and District French Twinning Association’s trip took a group of almost 40 people to Chateau du Loir from 26th-30th April, who were all hosted by local families in the town. Jean Dew, chair of the Westbury and District French Twinning Association, reports, “We were all due to assemble from 6.30 pm on Thursday the 26th April for a prompt departure at 7.00 pm. The Coach and driver Peter from Chandlers arrived a little before 6.30 and we were all aboard and ready to go 5 minutes early. “The banter on the coach was lively as usual and the time it took to get to Portsmouth soon went. Fortunately this year there were no long hold ups at the dock and we were soon aboard the Brittany Ferries ship and being allocated our cabins for the night crossing to Ouistreham (Caen). The shipping forecast had warned us of a choppy crossing so it was batten down the hatches and get to bed as soon as possible, especially as the alarm call was due for 6.00 am French time and embarkation at 6.45. Everyone appeared bright eyed and raring to go when we rejoined the coach for the short distance to the Hotel du Phare for breakfast. “The next stop was for a visit to a Chocolate Factory in Château Gontier, A short film, a very interesting demonstration and tastings of some delicious chocolate went down very well and the factory shop was well supported by our members. We were soon off to have a lunch break and shopping time at the Leclerc hypermarket in the town. We all boarded the coach for the last leg of the journey to Château du Loir where we were met by members of their Twinning Association and welcomed by the new Mayor of Château du Loir M. Michel Auville at a vin d’honneur [welcome reception]. We were very pleased to hear that he hopes to visit Westbury with the twinning next year. “Friday evening was spent with the hosts and many families joined together for dinner. We awoke on Saturday morning to rain but it didn’t dampen our spirits and we all set off in our coach and French cars for a visit to the château at Candé. There was a lot of English related memorabilia in the Château as it is where Edward V111 and Mrs Simpson were married. It was unfortunate that it was too wet for us to be able to explore the beautiful gardens, and the picnic that had been arranged for us had to be eaten on the coach or in various places that were undercover, followed by an early return to our hosts homes to prepare for the evening celebration. A four course meal was served while we were entertained by Renzo Mayda and two accompanying musicians, followed by some lively songs from Gilles Haillaut one of the Château Twinning members. Before we knew it the clock struck midnight and we all went home for an early night! “Sunday was spent at leisure with the hosts, some making visits to other Châteaux, some to museums or the Le Mans Sunday market, and others just leisurely with the families. “And Monday – it always come around too soon, and it was still raining, this must be the worst weather we have ever had but it seemed to make no difference to the enjoyment and the strengthening of friendship. Our new members joining us for the first time had all had a great time and are already planning what to do with their guests next year. This is what Westbury Twinning is all about. It took us 40 minutes to say goodbye to everyone and we just about managed to leave on time. The journey to Ouistreham was smooth and fast with just a break for lunch, the boat was on time, the crossing back fairly calm and we arrived in Portsmouth at 9.15 pm as expected. After a short delay at passport control we were winging our way back to Westbury, arriving at about midnight, weary, still smiling and already looking forward to next year.”