Billericay Twinning Association
Following the successful visit of four American students from Fishers, our twin town in Indiana, the Friends of Chauvigny, the French section of the Billericay Twinning Association, hosted a group of 23 people from Billericay's twin town of Chauvigny, near Poitiers, from Thursday July 3rd until Tuesday July 8th.
There was a reception for them at the Town Council Offices in the Coach House, where they were welcomed on behalf of the town by the Chairman of Billericay Town Council, Peter Bowditch. This was followed by a dinner at Little Burstead Golf Club. The highlight of the evening was an exhibition of English and French Court Dancing by Terence and Sheila Gandy who were in full Tudor costume.
During their stay, our French friends enjoyed a ramble around Ingatestone, a ploughman's lunch at the Shepherd and Dog, Langham, followed by guided tour of Flatford Mill and the Constable Country in French. On the Saturday evening, a large number attended the Haydn and Mozart Choral Concert at Chelmsford Cathedral given by the Hutton and Shenfield Choral Society.
The following Monday, John Baron MP welcomed them to the Houses of Parliament where he arranged two tours of the Houses of Parliament, one in French, one in English. This was followed by a coach tour of London after lunch at the British Museum. The photo shows our visitors with their hosts and John Barron at Westminster
Links between the two towns were further explored. Monsieur Philippe Clavreul, Principal of the Institut Rural in Chauvigny, will be sending be sending students for work experience at Coffee and Presence. Monsieur Clavreul, who already sends two students a year to Stockbrook Manor Golf and Country Club, had a meeting with Gerard Amiel, Operations Manager of the Club. The arrangement has been so successful for the past three years, that Mr Amiel has asked for the number of students to be increased from two to three per year. Angela Morton, of St Peter's Primary School, was able to make contacts with a view to linking her school with another in Chauvigny.
The Friends of Chauvigny are now looking forward to their return visit to France in May next year.
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