Ross Lions

4:40pm Thursday 8th May 2008

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TYPICAL English weather greeted the French when they arrived at the Larruperz Centre but this did not dampen the spirits of the welcoming crowd of the Ross/Conde Twinning Association. Like long-lost friends, the English hosts hugged and kissed their French counterparts. Others, who were new to twinning, and who were meeting their guests for the first time, were a little more reserved.

Around 200 guests and hosts crowded into the Larruperz Centre where a reception had been laid on by the Ross Town Council. Ross/Conde chairperson, Sharon Clayton, started off proceedings with a wonderful speech which she delivered in both English and French; welcoming our friends from overseas in the 30th year of twinning.

She was followed by The Mayor of Ross, the Rev Derek Bedford, who welcomed the visitors on behalf of the town. The Mayor of Conde-sur-Noireau responded for the French. After the speeches, gifts were exchanged, a painting from the Mayor of Conde for the town of Ross and copies of all the Civic Society pink publications to the people of Conde. After refreshments, it was all home to catch up with the news and dinner.

Saturday was a free day with hosts entertaining their guests as they wished until the evening when a dinner dance had been arranged at the Chase Hotel. More than 200 people turned up for the event and it was an excellent evening. The atmosphere was extraordinary with everyone being in a happy mood, especially as there were to be no speeches. The food was excellent and the wine flowed. At the end of the meal the chairperson of the Conde Association read out a poem she had written all about the 30 years of twinning between the two towns. A beautiful three-tier cake, made by Sue Kirby especially for the 30th anniversary, was then presented and cut with a sword by the two chairpersons, Sharon Clayton and Sylviane Paris. A trip to Cardiff had been arranged for the Sunday and more than 100 English and French went on it. Many families then got together in groups and had a meal in different hosts’ homes. On Monday morning, the visitors gathered at the Larruperz Centre to board their coach ready to take them home. Tears were shed as friends said their goodbyes. It was a lovely weekend and over far too soon.