Four decades of links with Hornsea celebrated
AN INTERNATIONAL friendship is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
The twinning of Hornsea and La Grande Motte, in France, has been described as one of the oldest of its kind in the UK.
-
Members of the Hornsea and La Grand Motte Twinning Association with the Conseil De l'Europe standard.
-
From left, Hornsea Mayoress Vanda Miller, Hornsea Mayor Councillor John Miller, Stephan Rossignol, Town Mayor of La Grande Motte, and Monique Guerineau, from the twinning group who arranged the trip.
Stephan Rossignol, town mayor of the purpose-built coastal resort in the south of France, close to Montpellier, visited Hornsea for the first time to mark the occasion.
He said: "The twinning was a little dormant these last years, so now we want to reactivate the exchanges and to begin with, Hornsea schoolchildren gave us letters and drawings for La Grande Motte's pupils so that they can correspond and exchange in the future.
"I really enjoyed my visit.
"Hornsea is a green and charming sea resort, a pleasant town which surprised me by its size and the huge park located in the heart of it.
"I was touched by the warm welcome of the mayor and of the twining committee."
During the two-day trip Mr Rossignol attended a dinner at High Skirlington and lunch at Hornsea Freeport.
He also included visits to the Mere, the golf club, bowling club, Hornsea Burton School, the Hornsea Museum and the sea front.
Owen Mackin, from the twinning committee, said: "The connection began when French troops were stationed in Hornsea during the Second World War.
"These troops went back to free France and returned to their homes.
"When it was decided to build a resort at La Grande Motte, the people involved were these same troops and they decided by choice to maintain the links forged by twinning the new town with Hornsea.
"There hasn't been a visit from a mayor for many years so we are pleased to have entertained them.
"The twinning is very important as it allows friendship between the two towns on a personal basis and students can exchange visits to improve language skills."
For more information, or to get involved with the twinning group, call Mr Mackin on (01964) 536077.
3 Comments
by Bob, Hull
Sunday, July 26 2009, 3:30PM
“P.S Yes Arthur I agree re that despised EU flag, I am British not European. Union Flag and French tricolour - spot on!!!”
by Bob, Hull
Sunday, July 26 2009, 3:28PM
“Twinning is an excuse for councillors to have a "jolly" on expenses. I notice towns are never twinned with other towns in the UK, always a foreign trip.”
by Arthur, Ezzle Road
Saturday, July 25 2009, 9:57AM
“Twinning is fine, but you can stuff that EU flag where the sun does not shine, the Union Flag and French tricolour flying together would be more appropriate.”