20/05/11……Vive le jumelage! Still going strong after ten years

THE bonds of friendship between Thame and its twin town of Montesson, near Paris, were further strengthened last weekend when they celebrated their tenth anniversary.

Among the dignitories assembled at a special reception for the group of 31 visitors to Thame and their host families on Friday 13th, was Oxfordshire MEP James Elles, who was at the very first inaugural celebrations at Thame Barns Centre in 2001. Both James Elles and the Mayor of Montesson’s Deputy, Hougette Fouche, were welcomed by the Chair of Thame Twinning, Jeannette Matelot Green and the new Mayor of Thame, David Bretherton. All spoke warmly of the affection and mutual understanding that has grown over the ten years of exchanges betweens the two towns, including groups exchanges between choirs, football and the emergency services.

After a toast of English wine (supplied by Waitrose, Thame) to the future success and growth of twinning, the group moved on from Thame football club to the Lambert Arms for a fish and chip supper – and mushy peas which seemed to go down very well with the French!

On the Saturday, a coach trip to London took the group on a river cruise from Westminster to Greenwich and back, during which the forecast thundery showers kept away and the more hearty travellers were able to view some of London’s more iconic and historic buildings from the top deck of the river cruiser. The highlight of the river trip was the opening of Tower Bridge to allow a tall boat to pass under – a rarer spectacle these days and one which the boat very obligingly stopped for to allow a frenzy of video filming and photography.

The French like to shop! Especially when they get the opportunity to visit London, so the stroll around Covent Garden with its many interesting stalls and varied shops, was ‘right up their street’ and they were very happy to contribute their euros to the retail economy of our capital city!

Sunday was the final day of our French guests’ stay, and after a visit to Waitrose for the purchase of such rareties as mint sauce, lemon curd and Cussons’ Imperial Leather soap, it was off to Thame museum for a special exhibition put on to celebrate the tenth birthday of twinning, ‘The French Connection’. This included a facinating section to the French about Thame citizen, Arthur Staggs who worked so heroically with the French Resistance behind enemy lines during the second World War.

A final celebratory lunch of English dishes, Steak and Kidney pie, fish pie, and a vegetable and bean pie, was shared in St Mary’s church which was transformed into a banqueting hall. The fact that all the food was eaten – including the favourite, Strawberry Eton Mess, is testament to the wonderful preparation and quisine of What’s Cooking in Cornmarket, Thame, wonderful ambassadors for good, English cooking.

Many guests had made a special effort to dress for the occassion, some French ladies in particular who wore fascinators on their heads in homage to the recent Royal Wedding, for which apparently they had been as avidly glued to their TVs as the English the weekend before. A special birthday cake was made by Michele Diffey of Thame Safari Group, some of whom will be travelling to Montesson in September for the return visit to Montesson. The young people from Safari had very successfully entertained their counterparts from le foyer Coulis with a live band, dancing and a buffet the night before.

Finally, after a group photo-call outside the Prependal at Priest End, Thame waved ‘au revoir’ to our French ‘twins’ after a wonderful weekend of convivialty and friendship.

Vive le jumelage!

PHOTO: MEP James Elles (Left) Mayor of Thame Cllr David Bretherton