On Thursday 28th May we welcomed 38 Dourdan visitors for their biennial 4 day visit. They were met at Dunmow Day Centre and received a warm welcome from their host families who would be looking after them for the weekend.
Early Friday morning 73 visitors and hosts boarded a Don’s coach and the French coach to set off for a visit to St Albans. On arrival we were formed into 4 groups, 2 French speaking and 2 English, for a guided tour of the Cathedral and Abbey Church to learn the history of St. Alban, the first Christian martyr, and of the development from a monastery (founded 793 AD) through to the present day.
Lunch at a Loch Fyne Restaurant was followed by a choice of walking to Verulamium Museum to see its Roman mosaics or a stroll around the town and shops. Then it was back to Dunmow for more English host hospitality.
Saturday events were organised by the host families, and included trips to London, Cambridge (with punting), local churches, gardens, a flower show, museums or galleries.
Then it was time to dress up for a celebration 4 course dinner, provided by Walkers Caterers at Foakes Hall. The room was beautifully decorated in joint national colours of red, white and blue, and the meal with wine, accompanied by Michael Hynds at the piano, went down very well.
Chairman Wendy Barron of Dunmow officially welcomed the French Twinners and Gerard Paturaud, President of Dourdan Twinning, responded. Both spoke of the special relationship which has existed for many years between our two towns and were confident that despite changes taking place in both our countries Twinning would continue. Dourdan guests were presented with gifts of trinket dishes and glass pigs relating to Dunmow being a Flitch Town.
On Sunday a Civic Reception at Foakes Hall was hosted by Dunmow Town Council. The Mayors of Dunmow and Dourdan both made speeches, and exchanged gifts, echoing the friendship between our two towns.
The French coach arrived at midday at Dunmow Day Centre. We were sad, but also thankful for another shared weekend of friendship and laughter, with promises to meet again in October at Le Tréport in France.