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Vitré Twinners visit to Lymington
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Eighty guests from Vitré (joined by a half dozen delegates from Mosbach and from Almansa) visited Lymington to join with members of LITA in celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Twinning between Vitré and Lymington.
A visit to Boldre Church after lunch on the Friday was followed by a guided country walk to Pilley, with New Forest photo opportunities along the way. At Boldre War Memorial Hall, a traditional English Cream Tea awaited the thirsty ramblers and others who had come by car. That evening, a Civic Reception, hosted by the new Mayor, Cllr Anna Rostand, was held in Lymington Community Centre against a colourful backdrop of five flags - Brittany and the four national colours.
The Vitréens had long expressed a wish for an excursion to the Isle of Wight on their itinerary and this time were not disappointed. A visit to Osborne House was followed by a short tour of the eastern part of the Island. On the return ferry journey the magnificent sight of three liners, including the Queen Mary 2, sailing out of Southampton Water was an unexpected bonus.
In celebration of 2011 as the European Year of Volunteering, twinners were joined on Saturday morning by representatives from several local voluntary organisations for an International Conference on Volunteering, with the able help of translators from LITA. At the same time, for those not at the conference, there were opportunities for a walking tour beside the Lymington River and a visit to see bell ringing in St Thomas’ church tower.
The grand finale of the long weekend was a Gala Dinner at the Beaulieu Hotel in the heart of the New Forest on the warm summer evening. Pimms in the garden and an excellent 3-course meal were enjoyed by 174 diners. After the candles had been blown out on Anniversary Cake, the band played retrospective numbers from the 1960s and all generations took to the dance floor.
Our guests’ coach left next morning from the car park in front of the Town Sailing Club, whose entrance steps provided the ideal setting for a classic “au revoir”
A visit to Boldre Church after lunch on the Friday was followed by a guided country walk to Pilley, with New Forest photo opportunities along the way. At Boldre War Memorial Hall, a traditional English Cream Tea awaited the thirsty ramblers and others who had come by car. That evening, a Civic Reception, hosted by the new Mayor, Cllr Anna Rostand, was held in Lymington Community Centre against a colourful backdrop of five flags - Brittany and the four national colours.
The Vitréens had long expressed a wish for an excursion to the Isle of Wight on their itinerary and this time were not disappointed. A visit to Osborne House was followed by a short tour of the eastern part of the Island. On the return ferry journey the magnificent sight of three liners, including the Queen Mary 2, sailing out of Southampton Water was an unexpected bonus.
In celebration of 2011 as the European Year of Volunteering, twinners were joined on Saturday morning by representatives from several local voluntary organisations for an International Conference on Volunteering, with the able help of translators from LITA. At the same time, for those not at the conference, there were opportunities for a walking tour beside the Lymington River and a visit to see bell ringing in St Thomas’ church tower.
The grand finale of the long weekend was a Gala Dinner at the Beaulieu Hotel in the heart of the New Forest on the warm summer evening. Pimms in the garden and an excellent 3-course meal were enjoyed by 174 diners. After the candles had been blown out on Anniversary Cake, the band played retrospective numbers from the 1960s and all generations took to the dance floor.
Our guests’ coach left next morning from the car park in front of the Town Sailing Club, whose entrance steps provided the ideal setting for a classic “au revoir”
Other exchange visits with Vitré:
Lymington twinners trip to Vitré 2018
Vitré twinners visit to Lymington 2015
Lymington twinners trip to Vitré 2014
Vitré twinners visit to Lymington 2013
Lymington twinners trip to Vitré 2012
Lymington twinners trip to Vitré 2018
Vitré twinners visit to Lymington 2015
Lymington twinners trip to Vitré 2014
Vitré twinners visit to Lymington 2013
Lymington twinners trip to Vitré 2012
Lymington International Twinning Association
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