AROUND 70 people from Lymm visited its twin-town in France to celebrate 50 years of partnership.
During the visit, a plaque commemorating the event was unveiled in “Square de Lymm” and an art exhibition was held which included the work of 16 Lymm artists.
Meung-sur-Loire is near Orleans in France and visits take place between the two towns every year.
The arrangement was originally started by the former Lymm Urban District Council and its equivalent in Meung.
In the early days the former Lymm Grammar Schoool was also heavily involved.
At a reception, Peter Birchall, chairman of the Lymm Twin Town Society, thanked his opposite number for an excellent and unforgettable visit with good weather.
He said: “As a souvenir I would like to present you with a model of Lymm Cross to remind you of the centre of our village. I hope it will go on show to encourage others to come to Lymm in future years.”
One of the highlights of this year’s visit was a trip to Paris, including a boat trip on the Seine. This was especially enjoyed by the numerous children who were present on the exchange and by two families joining the party for the first time.”
Last year’s chairman of Lymm Parish Council, Cllr John Bamforth, presented a painting of Lymm to the Mayor of Meung.
He said: “A new feature of this year’s visit was an art exhibition at a gallery in Meung organised by Will Swindlehurst who took the paintings over in his caravan. The work of 16 Lymm artists was on show to help celebrate 50 years of twinning.”
Anyone wanting to find out more about the Twin Town partnership and how to join should visit www.lymmtwintownsociety.co.uk and then talk to a member of the committee if interested in joining.
The society is open to anyone who lives in the Lymm area – and there is no requirement to speak French.
Pictured (left to right): 1) John Bamforth, Peter Birchall, Pauline Martin (Mayor of Meung) and Michel Bret (President Meung Twin Town Society) at the unveiling of a plaque in the ‘Square de Lymm’
