Cowbridge Town Twinning Association
Twinned with Clisson, Loire-Atlantique, France

Below is a copy of the press release sent to the GEM newspaper and some photos of the weekend. More will be added soon.

Clisson Visitors bring the sun to Cowbridge.

 Cowbridge has been twinned with the French town of Clisson in the Loire-Atlantique Department for 15 years and a close relationship has built up between residents of the two towns. Thirty three visitors from the ages of 14 to 75 were in Cowbridge over the weekend of 2^nd-5^th June and they brought with them some brilliant sunshine.  The guests were welcomed at a buffet lunch in the gardens of the Old Hall by the Mayor of Cowbridge, Mrs Linda Adams and by the Chairman of the Twinning Committee, Bob Wilson. Robert Cope, of the Physic Garden Trust, received from Gilles Renoul, president of the Clisson Twinning Association, the gift of an ancient species of vine to be planted in the garden.

 On Saturday lunchtime over 80 people assembled for a meeting with members of the Monday Club, a group of adults with learning difficulties. Our French visitors were impressed by their integration into the community which was reinforced by short talks from some of the sponsors of the Monday Club namely the Cowbridge & Llantwit Major Lions Club, Cowbridge Rotary Club and the Cowbridge with Llanblethian United Charities.

 During Saturday afternoon the group had the opportunity of a behind the scenes visit to the Welsh Assembly with local AM, Jane Hutt who stressed the ergonomic and environmental efficiency of the new Assembly building.

 Saturday’s celebrations continued into the night with a dinner in the Town Hall catered by Farthings at Home and followed by dancing to the music of Dave Escott. The “entente cordiale” was very much in evidence!

 On Sunday the guests were entertained by their local hosts with several visiting the St Fagan’s Folk Museum. The Rugby Club was the venue for the final event of the weekend when many French visitors discovered, for the first time, the pleasure of a good curry and the many flavours of Indian cuisine with a buffet provided by the Shampan Indian Restaurant.

 An early departure on Monday morning was accompanied by farewell tears and invitations to visit Clisson in 2007, perhaps for the Wales World Cup Rugby matches to be held in nearby Nantes in September! New members of the Twinning association are always welcome and anyone wishing to join should contact the Secretary, Andrew Lane on 01446 772068 or visit the website at www.cowbridge-twinning.co.uk.

Reception at Old Hall	Old Hall	Old Hall
Mrs Linda Adams, Mayor of Cowbridge	Gilles in full flow	Presentation of the vine
...now look after the vine Edgar!	Old Hall	Cheese and wine in the sun
Touring the Physic Garden	Next year the plants will be this high!	We will have to come back in two years to see the plants!
Presentation of the poetry prize to Rhian Morgan	Rhian's thanks	Regine and the "Queen mum"
Entertainment by the Monday Club	Enjoying the buffet	Enjoying the beer
Still enjoying the beer	Jane Hutt welcomes guests	I wish we had a building like this!
Visit to the Assembly building with Jane Hutt AM	Bob explaining the workings of the Assembly	The glass floor
Audrey & Angelique with friends at Cardiff Bay	Saturday night	The cabaret
Dancing	Curry at the Rugby Club	Crowning of the Queen Mum
A proud medal winner	Hilary and Terry's garden	Terry's girls
The farewells	All aboard!	Bye and see you soon