WAFTA’s French visit is a big success

Visiting the town of Cours La Ville in central France to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their twinning partnership, we were treated to the most generous hospitality and a well organised programme of events to mark the occasion.

The four day event began with a reception in the public hall for members and their host families. An official reception for the Winslow firefighters followed, as did the judo competition, at which Cours la Ville retained the trophy they had won last year. An evening at the theatre featured a programme put together especially for the occasion, with a humorous sketch written and delivered in perfect English by the local theatre group.

Post box presentation

WAFTA then presented Cours La Ville with a traditional red post box which was installed outside the town’s Mairie, and will be used to receive official correspondence for the Mayor’s office. The presentation was made to Mayor Patrice Verchere and his deputies by Gordon Wiseman, Chairman of WAFTA, seen here posting an invitation to visit Winslow next year, together with Deputy Mayor Llew Monger.

PostBox presentation

Following the presentation, members took their places in a grand parade around the town, led by the town’s brass band and fire-fighters from Winslow Fire Station, who are pictured here marching with their French colleagues.  The parade also included a procession of restored, classic English cars driven by their French owners who later gave rides through the town. Wreaths were then laid by WAFTA and Winslow Town Council in a ceremony at the war memorial. 

Firefighters- marching

Group of firemen

The official programme ended with a dinner and dance at which WAFTA presented Cours with an engraved crystal vase. Members of both organisations were presented with mementos of the occasion.

Vase presentation

Vineyard visit

For our final day we visited Cluny Abbey and also managed to squeeze in a little wine tasting at a Beaujolais vineyard before dinner with our individual hosts.

WAFTA Chairman Gordon Wiseman: “this has been absolutely brilliant - the people of Cours La Ville have really pulled out all the stops for this occasion. It was a very good programme and the hospitality, as ever, was so generous. A wonderful visit”

Anyone with an interest in joining WAFTA should contact Liz Smith - liz [AT] crawfordcottage[DOT] co [DOT] uk

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