This page covers all the visits made between Weymouth & Louviers. If you have any photographs or stories to tell from past visits which are not shown here, we would love to hear from you. Help us fill in the gaps.
2008
MAYOR Tim Munro joined in the celebrations to mark 50 years of twinning between Weymouth and Portland and Louviers in France.
He was among a 60-strong party that crossed the Channel for the visit to Normandy.
The trip included an affirmation of the twinning charter, an anniversary cake and dinner.
Coun Munro thanked the Mayor of Louviers Franck Martin for his warm welcome. He said: “We are two very differerent communities, different in cultures, different in history, different in geography, but maybe that diversity is the secret of our lasting friendships.
“The political map of Europe has changed many times. However, despite the changes, or perhaps because of them, the twinning with Louviers is as strong as ever.”
Weymouth town crier Doris Eastwood announced the mayors at a reception. Others on the trip included Weymouth & Portland Borough Council chief executive Tom Grainger, twinning society chairman Cath Irving and Alderman Roy Gainey.
2009
2010
2011
2012
Weymouth and Portland officials say bonjour to twin town of Louviers
GUESTS were given a warm welcome as a union between two towns was celebrated.
Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Margaret Leicester led a delegation to the borough’s twin town of Louviers in France. Reminding town officials that the borough had ‘welcomed the world’ during the summer, she presented them with two commemorative pieces of glassware in the shape of a sail marking the 2012 Olympics. Copies of a Weymouth history book written by Weymouth & Portland-Louviers Society member Andy Hutchings were also handed over. Coun Leicester, who received a hamper of Normandy food and drink from Louviers Mayor Franck Martin, said twinning was a positive way of keeping contact with other countries and cultures.
The presentations were made at the end of the twinning dinner at the civic hall in the Normandy twin town. Coun Leicester said: “I found everybody extremely friendly, the food was lovely – if rather too plentiful – and I found the town a most interesting place. “I particularly applaud the work being done to restore an old church in the town and to convert old cloisters by the river Eure into a music conservatoire. I met some really nice people from both sides of the English Channel.”
Town Crier of Langton Herring Doris Eastwood was thanked by Louviers Mayor Franck Martin for her good service as Honorary Town Crier of Louviers for 39 years. On the way to Louviers, the 34-strong delegation visited the First World War battlefields around the Somme and the cathedral city of Amiens.
2013
Twinners celebrate Fifty five years of friendship
Fifty five years of friendship was celebrated at a twin towns weekend across the Channel.
Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Ray Banham and Mayoress Pam Nixon led a three-day visit to the borough’s twin town of Louviers. The area has been twinned with the Normandy market town since 1958 and a visit by Weymouth and Portland Louviers Society is arranged every year. A party of 44 attended a mixture of official and family events. They were welcomed by Louviers’ First Deputy Mayor Roland Lienard at the twinning dinner, on behalf of Mayor Franck Martin. Coun Banham praised the 55 years of friendship between the towns and looked forward to the link continuing for a long time. He highlighted the refurbishment of the Louviers lamp standard, presented to Weymouth on the 30th anniversary of the twinning, which is on the corner of Westham Road and Frederick Place. The evening ended with the traditional exchange of gifts as Coun Banham presented Mr Lienard with a framed picture and a silver yacht, engraved with Weymouth 2012 on the sail.
Coun Banham said there had been a ‘fantastic’ welcome, adding: “We enjoyed the lovely town centre and especially the very interesting Notre Dame church.”
Weymouth Twinning Chairman Cath Irving told the mayors: “It’s such a delight to be in Louviers again and we feel real members of your families – having watched your children grow.”
The society hopes more exchange visits for young people between Weymouth, Portland and Louviers.
Cath Irving added: “We’ve had a request for young people in Louviers to learn to sail on the tall ship Pelican. “Seven young people between the ages of 16 and 25 are being offered this opportunity.”
Mr Lienard made a special presentation to Doris Eastwood, who has been the Honorary Town Crier of Louviers for 30 years.
The reciprocal visit of the Mayor of Louviers to Weymouth takes place next June.
2014
The Mayor of Louviers will head a D-Day delegation that will visit Weymouth in June
The delegation from Weymouth’s twin town will be greeted to a D-Day anniversary evening at the Ocean Room in Weymouth Pavillion. Music and songs from the 1940s will be played throughout the night and the venue will be decorated in a style to evoke the era.
Ray Banham, Mayor of Weymouth and Portland and president of the Weymouth and Portland-Louviers Society, praised the importance of the link and the business it brought to Weymouth He said: “Twinning is excellent at creating good relationships. The friendship with Louviers has been successful for over 50 years. The twinning is good for the borough, extending hands of friendship across the English Channel.”
Last year, Councillor Banham and Mayoress Pam Nixon visited Louviers in September for three days and were among a party of 44. Chairman of the Weymouth and Portland-Louviers Society, Cath Irving, thanked the mayor and mayoress for their support and said how well they represented the borough during their visit.
2015
Twin town mayor in call for stronger links between French and English communities
THE mayor of Weymouth and Portland’s twin town of Louviers has called for links to be strengthened between the English and French communities.
Francois-Xavier Priollaud spoke at a welcome reception for guests from the borough arriving in Louviers. The visit came before the atrocities in Paris earlier this month but Cath Irving, Weymouth twinning committee chairman said the words resonated in light of recent events. Speaking after the visit, she said: “People in this country empathise with what has happened in France. Europe has to pull together, there’s no doubt it, we can’t let the terrorists win.
“All our thoughts were with the people in France after the attacks and we sent messages of condolences to them.” This year’s delegation was led by mayor Christine James, who presented the mayor with a “friendship bubble”, a hand-blown piece of glass by local artist Helen Willard. M. Priollaud spoke of the civic music centre in Louviers and hoped to set up an exchange with some of Weymouth and Portland’s local musicians.
He also called for the twinning links, established in 1958, to be strengthened in as many ways as possible. Mrs Irving told him: “The original intention of town twinning was to foster friendship at all levels and it is our duty to continue this with our young people.
“We are trying to encourage liaison between our primary schools and one of our senior schools has been in contact with Louviers.
“I hope we can facilitate contacts through our societies and exchange visits with other groups as well. For example, Louviers have a wonderful music school and would be delighted to host musicians, particularly young ones. Any groups who would like to visit Louviers and exchange knowledge, ideas and interests, will be welcomed.”
Around 20 members travelled by coach from Weymouth to Louviers on the annual visit. On the way, they were given a tour of the town and castle of Falaise, birthplace of William the Conqueror.
A group from Louviers will visit Weymouth in early May 2016.
2016
THE importance of town twinning after the UK voted for Brexit was emphasised as a group from Weymouth crossed the Channel.
Mayor Richard Kosior led a delegation to France and the borough’s twin town of Louviers, a market town in Normandy. He was accompanied by Mayoress Caroline Churchill and 20 twinning society members, including chairman Geoff McDonnell. Speaking at the civic reception hosted by Louviers mayor Francois-Xavier Priollaud, Cllr Kosior said: “Many people may ask why – in these times of change – should the tradition of town twinning continue.
“Town twinning, as an official relationship builder, started in Europe after the Second World War. The idea was to repair damaged relationships between European countries and the UK. Find towns that suffered during the war and twin them. Then encourage people from these areas to meet, mix and get along. That’s why town twinning – at its core – is a good and important thing.” Cllr Kosior reminded everyone that the twinning link had been formed in 1958 with the aim of strengthening links between Weymouth and Louviers. He added: “I am fascinated by town twinning – but getting to know our neighbours isn’t easy.
“Our European neighbour usually speaks good English and a different language, eats different food and lives in a different culture. We English can feel completely out of your comfort zone! So why do it? And why have twin towns? After all, people can travel all around Europe easily, cheaply and with relative ease these days. Town twinning is a long-term relationship – it grows and flourishes – just now the relationship is good and healthy.” Geoff McDonnell, Chairman of the Weymouth & Portland – Louviers Society, thanked the Louviers Mayor and twinning committee for the warmth of their welcome and generous hospitality. He said: “We know just how much hard work and organisation goes into preparing and running these twinning weekends, so we would like to express our appreciation of the efforts of Jacqueline Hamon and the French committee.” “I am pleased to say that despite Brexit, these important cultural exchanges will continue between our two countries,” concluded the chairman.
The Mayor & Mayoress of Weymouth & Portland travelled to Louviers by coach with the English delegation, stopping at Caen and Cabourg on the way. They later visited the Jurassic Coast museum at Villers-sur-Mer. One highlight was the Sunday excursion to Les Andelys for a medieval banquet at a hotel on the banks of the River Seine, followed by a visit to Chateau Gaillard, built by Richard the Lionheart in 1196.
2017
Brexit won’t stop our twinning links, says mayor
A TWINNING link across the Channel started almost 60 years ago will continue after Brexit, civic leaders have said.
Assurances were given that the link between Weymouth and Portland and the Normandy market town of Louviers would remain strong after the UK leaves the European Union.
Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Kevin Brookes spoke of the bond between the communities as a party from the borough visited Louviers.
Speaking at the official twinning reception at the Hotel de Ville, Cllr Brookes said: “Whatever future trading and political arrangements are in place when we leave (the European Union), it is my sincere wish that the relationship and friendship between Weymouth and Louviers remains as strong as ever.”
He added: “Town twinning allows us to take strength from embracing new ideas and different cultures.
“One of the key aspects of twinning is the strength of new and enduring friendships that are enhanced by a shared pleasure in learning from each other, rather than being divided by distance or language.”
Cllr Brookes went on to observe that the twinning had been inaugurated 59 years ago and that the diamond jubilee will be celebrated next year in both Louviers and Weymouth.
Addressing Louviers Mayor Francois-Xavier Priollaud, Cllr Brookes said: “Given the reason we are all here today, one key aspect is the unity we share through town twinning.
“The opportunity this has given us to share culture, history and heritage is invaluable.
“We can learn from each other. From our ancient pasts, whether Roman or Celtic, we have each been shaped by our geography, our traditions, our economies, our national and local governments. This has made us each unique, but whilst our uniqueness can be a strength, it should not blind us to receiving ideas and influence from others.”
Weymouth twinning committee chairman Geoff McDonnell said it was a “great feeling to be back amongst our friends” in Louviers.
He said a great deal of planning goes into the visit and thanked those for making it happen, including Louviers twinning committee chairman Nathalie Fizet.
Mr McDonnell also made a special mention of former Louviers twinning committee chairman Jacqueline Hamon, who has health problems.
He added: “We are still determined to see that the bonds of friendship between our two towns remain undimmed. A quick glimpse round the room, seeing English and French friends chatting and having fun together, is sufficient proof of that.”
2018
60 years on and still going strong
Rear row – Peter Rendel, Morgan, Mayor consort, Richard Kosior & Kevin Brookes.
This is the speech of the Mayor of Louviers.
60e anniversaire du jumelage entre Weymouth-Portland et Louviers
Allocution de M. François-Xavier PRIOLLAUD
Maire de Louviers Louviers,
Le 1er septembre 2018
Madame le Maire,
Chère Gill Mesdames les Présidentes du Comité de jumelage,
Chère Catherine Irving,
Chère Nathalie Fizet,
Monsieur le Député,
Mesdames et Messieurs les élus,
Mesdames et Messieurs,
Chers amis,
Au nom de la municipalité de Louviers, je suis particulièrement heureux de vous accueillir ici, à l’Hôtel de ville, dans le cadre des commémorations du soixantième anniversaire de notre jumelage avec Weymouth-Portland.
60 ans, ce sont des noces de diamant. Une pierre précieuse et rare, comme l’amitié qui s’est forgée au fil du temps entre nous tous, habitants de Louviers et de Weymouth.
Le commencement de notre histoire commune, nous le devons à Pierre Mendes France, alors maire de Louviers qui a signé ici même, un jour de 1958, une charte d’amitié avec Mrs Legh, la maire de Weymouth de l’époque.
Cette charte de jumelage, nos prédécesseurs avaient formé le vœu qu’elle puisse « sceller une amitié entre nos deux villes, et servir d’exemple aux générations futures ».
Leur vœu a été exaucé. La charte signée il y a 60 ans a tenu sa promesse.
Je veux rendre hommage, en cet instant, à toutes celles et tous ceux qui ont poursuivi l’œuvre initiée par les fondateurs du jumelage, de part et d’autre de la Manche. Je veux saluer chaque présidente et président successif pour leur engagement et leur dévouement au service d’une amitié vivante et prospère. Et vous me permettrez d’avoir une pensée toute particulière pour M. Irving qui nous a quittés l’an dernier.
Mesdames et Messieurs,
Il y a soixante ans, en 1958, le monde était si différent de celui dans lequel nous vivons aujourd’hui. Louviers se relevait à peine des destructions de la guerre. La communauté économique européenne avait quelques mois seulement et le Royaume-Uni n’en faisait -déjà – pas partie. Les moyens de communication étaient sans commune mesure avec ceux d’aujourd’hui. Pas d’internet, par de téléphones portables. Cela me fait dire que notre jumelage avec Weymouth était pionnier en ce qu’il offrait une ouverture qui n’avait rien d’évident dans la société de l’époque.
Une ouverture formidable vers une autre culture, une autre langue et un mode de vie différent. Notre jumelage avec Weymouth a été pionnier pour soulever de supposées barrières linguistiques et culturelles. De nombreux lovériens ont au fil du temps, et à travers les générations, développé des liens que je qualifierai souvent de familiaux. Les visites régulières et les échanges culturels, sportifs et éducatifs ont été le fer de lance du partenariat entre nos deux villes.
Et finalement, preuve que notre jumelage avec Weymouth aura été pionnier, c’est qu’il a été suivi par deux autres : l’un avec Holzwickede, en Allemagne et l’autre avec San Vito Dei Normanni, en Italie.
Mes chers amis,
Ce soixantième anniversaire est un moment de bonheur et de fête ! La municipalité est très honorée de la présence avec vous, chère Gill Taylor, de trois anciens maires de Weymouth-Portland, vos prédécesseurs : Kate Wheller, Richard Kosior et Kevin Brookes. C’est un signe d’amitié auquel je suis personnellement très sensible.
Notre programme a été particulièrement riche depuis votre arrivée jeudi après-midi. Présentation des grands projets municipaux, visite de l’exposition de Brigitte Ziegler au Musée, concert de musique celtique hier soir au Moulin et demain un déplacement dans le Pays d’Auge.
Mais nous avons aussi travaillé et tenu une réunion très constructive hier matin pour imaginer ensemble l’avenir de notre relation.
Car ma conviction profonde est que si notre jumelage a été pionnier, il doit le rester aujourd’hui et demain. Pour parler franchement, l’enjeu de notre commémoration d’aujourd’hui c’est de permettre à d’autres de continuer à commémorer notre amitié dans soixante ans, en 2078.
Et je suis honnête, la plupart des jumelages, dans la plupart des villes, sont confrontées au même défi du vieillissement. Nous devons reconquérir la jeunesse, c’est urgent, et nous adapter aux attentes de nos populations. Il nous appartient ensemble d’attirer de nouveaux publics et de multiplier les occasions de nous voir et d’inventer des projets communs.
Nous avons ainsi identifié des pistes de travail très concrètes pour voir s’il pourrait exister à Weymouth des opportunités pour nos jeunes de l’Académie des Talents de Louviers.
Nous avons aussi évoqué des échanges culinaires dans le cadre du salon « Au Four et au Moulin ».
Mais nous allons aussi envisager des partenariats sportifs, la venue de musiciens de Weymouth dans le cadre du « Mai musical » ou encore des actions communes dans le cadre de notre prochaine Grande cause municipale.
Mesdames et Messieurs,
Dans six mois, le Royaume-Uni ne fera plus partie de l’Union européenne. Je le regrette, à titre personnel, mais c’est le choix souverain et par nature respectable du peuple britannique. Le Brexit est un encouragement supplémentaire à intensifier nos relations et à dynamiser nos jumelages. Vous allez quitter l’Union européenne, mais vous n’allez pas quitter l’Europe. Rien n’effacera jamais des siècles d’histoire entre nous et nous allons évidemment continuer à partager des valeurs communes.
Alors je forme le vœu que nos villes jumelles donnent l’exemple de coopérations réussies, d’une amitié enthousiaste et qu’il reste pour toujours porteur de confiance et d’espérance.
Je vous remercie.
60th anniversary of the twinning between Weymouth-Portland and Louviers
Mayor of Louviers
Louviers, 1st September 2018
Dear Gill Taylor, Mayor of Weymouth-Portland,
Dear Catherine Irving and Nathalie Fizet, Chairwomen of the twinning societies,
Dear Bruno Questel, member of Parliament,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends,
On behalf of the Municipality of Louviers, I am particularly pleased to welcome you here to City Hall, as part of the commemoration of the sixtieth anniversary of our twinning with Weymouth-Portland.
60 years old, it’s a diamond wedding. A precious and rare gem, as the friendship that has been forged over time between us, inhabitants of Louviers and Weymouth.
The beginning of our common history started with Pierre Mendes France, then Mayor of Louviers when he signed in 1958 a charter of friendship with Mrs Legh, the mayor of Weymouth at the time.
This twinning charter, our predecessors had the wish that it could « seal a friendship between our two cities, and serve as an example for future generations. »
Their wish has been granted. The charter signed 60 years ago kept its promise.
I want to pay tribute, at this moment, to all those who have continued the work initiated by the founders of the twinning, on both sides of the Channel. I want to salute each successive President for their commitment and dedication to the service of a living and prosperous friendship. And you will allow me to have a special thought for Mr. Irving, who passed away last year.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Sixty years ago, in 1958, the world was so different from the one we live in today. Louviers was hardly recovering from the destruction of the war. The European Economic Community was only a few months old and the United Kingdom was not member of the EU. The means of communication were incommensurate with those of today. No internet, no cell phones. We can say that our twinning with Weymouth was pioneering in that it offered an opening that was not obvious in the society of the time.
A wonderful opening to another culture, to another language and to a different way of life.
Our twinning with Weymouth pioneered the raising of supposed linguistic and cultural barriers. Many Loverians have over time, and through the generations, developed bonds that I will often call family. Regular visits and cultural, sports and educational exchanges have spearheaded the partnership between our two cities.
And finally, proof that our twinning with Weymouth was pioneering is that it was followed by two others: one with Holzwickede, in Germany and the other with San Vito Dei Normanni, in Italy.
My dear friends,
This sixtieth birthday is a moment of happiness and celebration! The municipality is very honored to have with you, dear Gill Taylor, three former mayors of Weymouth-Portland, your predecessors: Kate Wheller, Richard Kosier and Kevin Brooks. It is a sign of friendship to which I am personally very sensitive.
Our program has been particularly rich since your arrival on Thursday afternoon. Presentation of major municipal projects, visit of the exhibition of Brigitte Ziegler at the Museum, Celtic music concert last night at the Moulin and tomorrow a trip to the Pays d’Auge.
But we also worked and held a very constructive meeting yesterday morning to imagine together the future of our relationship.
Because my deep conviction is that if our twinning was pioneering, it must remain so today and tomorrow. Frankly, the issue of our commemoration today is to allow others to continue to commemorate our friendship in sixty years, in 2078.
And I’m honest, most twinnings in most cities face the same challenge of aging. We must reclaim the youth – it must be a priority – and adapt to the expectations of our people. It is up to us to attract new audiences and opportunities to see each other and to invent common projects.
We have identified very concrete ways of working to see if there could be opportunities in Weymouth for our young people of our Louviers Talents Academy.
We also talked about culinary exchanges at the « Au Four and Moulin » festival.
But we will also consider sports partnerships, the coming of Weymouth musicians as part of the « Musical May » or joint actions as part of our next Great Municipal Cause.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In six months, the United Kingdom will no longer be part of the European Union. I regret it, personally, but it is the sovereign and by nature respectable choice of the British people.
Brexit is an additional incentive to intensify our relationships and boost our twinning.
You will leave the European Union, but you won’t leave Europe. Nothing will ever erase centuries of history between us and we will of course continue to share common values.
So I hope that our twin cities will be an example of successful cooperation, an enthusiastic friendship and that it will always be a bearer of trust and hope.
Thank you.
2019
TWINNING CONTINUES TO FLOURISH
Good evening Mr Mayor, Ladies and gentlemen of Louviers and Weymouth is how deputy Town Mayor Cllr Colin Huckle started his speech to members and friends of both twinning societies on a recent visit to Weymouth’s twin Normandy town of Louviers.
Coun Huckle continued, “The twinning between Louviers and Weymouth continues to Flourish and our thanks for this go to the volunteers of the two associations”
Cllr Huckle made further references to some of the varied and colourful history of England and Normandy and what he had discovered in his research prior to the visit.
In 1196 Richard the Lionheart and Phillip II signed a peace treaty. A year later in 1197 Richard then presented Louviers to the Archbishop of Rouen. In 1360 Edward the Black Prince, on behalf of his father the King pronounced the ratification of the treaty which, in exchange for one quarter of the kingdom of France, Jean Le Bon was set free. In 1418 came another battle with the English, and again in 1429 and yet again in 1441. The British were back yet again but this time it was 1944 and we were all on the same side.
Coun Huckle said,”Today we come in peace and as friends to spend a few happy days together, to learn about each other and to celebrate our friendship, our similarities and our differences. We look forward to welcoming you back to Weymouth next year to continue the celebration of this partnership”.
The following day we left Louviers and went over to the golf club for lunch.
After lunch it was off to a couple of barges on the river.
Evening official dinner.
No visits took place between March 2020 and April 2023
September 2023 Visit – Weymouth to Louviers via Granville and Fleur
Once again a very early 6am start in Weymouth for our short journey to Poole for the 8am ferry to Cherbourg. Once we arrived in Cherbourg we made the short coach ride to Granville on the Cherbourg peninsula for a two day stay prior to our visit to Louviers. This was a repeat of our visit to Granville staying at the same hotel as we did in 2018. This time we have a much larger and coach that did have some difficulty getting around the tight corners on the approach to the hotel. A badly position tipper truck didn’t help matters either. After out short break it was off to Louviers via Fleur, a town we hadn’t visited before.
A very warm church in Fleur
Weymouth Louviers Society 