Our French "Twins" have an eventful weekend
Click this link for the Thistle and
Shamrock night photo page
The French visitors arrived on Sunday, 16th March, to a warm welcome
from their host families. There were three TV journalists with the
party who made a film of the weekend visit for French TV.
There was a reception and supper that Sunday night in St. Colman's High
School which was sponsored by Down District Council.
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We were greeted by harp music played by two pupils from the Assumption
Grammar School and the Chairman of Down District Council, Harvey Bicker,
made a speech of welcome.
M. Antoine Solomone, Mayor of Lamorlaye replied to this speech and then
presented a mural to the people of Ballynahinch. This was painted by a local
artist, JJ Jusse and is a very beautiful image of "L'Hotel de Ville" in
Lamorlaye.
Then came a delicious meal, prepared and cooked by the ladies of the committee.
Afterwards there was a "disco" in the main hall of the school and this was much
enjoyed espicially by the younger visitors.
On Monday, St. Patrick's Day, the party set off early for Downpatrick to
take part in the parade.
Before the Parade started, they paid a visit
to the St Patrick's Centre and then were given a traditional Irish Stew
in a local Hotel which was hosted by Down District Council
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(Courtesy Down Democrat)
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(Courtesy Graham Smyth)
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The French people had a float entered in the parade and two of their
number had arrived a few days in advance to prepare and decorate the
float.
Very colourful it was too!
Six of the visitors were dressed in the National Costume of six
different regions of France and a lot of planning, and hard work went
into this.
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Some of their young riders took part too. Horse training is a very
important part of the way of life in Lamorlaye. Billy Alexander
arranged for four carriages to be made available for the use of the
French visitors in the parade
There were a wide variety of floats and a huge crowd of spectators and
it was a long tiring day but thoroughly enjoyed by all who were there.
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(Courtesy Down Democrat)
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After the day in Downpatrick, there was just time to change and then head back
to the Market House in Ballynahinch for a meal and a ceildh.
The entertainment was provided mostly by children and was of the highest
standard. First we had a troupe of local Irish dancers and they gave an
extremely lively and colourful performance. There was a traditional dance
group, but there were also solo dancers, one of whom is Ulster Champion.
Then some girls from Belfast, accompanied by a piper, entertained us with a
very colourful and highly skilled display of Scottish Highland dancing.
Then four very talented young musicians of the McCrickard family not only gave
us some lovely Irish traditional music, but they also played some Ceilidh set
dances. Some of us struggled to learn the steps with a great deal of hilarity
and a lot of bumping into one another. All around a very successful and happy
evening.
Tuesday morning saw an early start for the departing guests. They travelled to
Dublin by the "scenic Route" taking in the Silent Valley and the Mourne Country.
They crossed the border and stopped in Carlingford for lunch, then on to Dublin
Airport and Home. We hope our "twins" enjoyed their week-end as much as we,
the hosts, did.
Local children played a large part in the weekend. As well as most of the
entertainment, children from all the local schools provided the art-work which
decorated the various venues.
This project was very successful due to the hard work of a large number of
people. The kind folk who "hosted" our guests and the Lamorlaye Committee
who put in many weeks of planning and hard work. They should all give
themselves a well deserved pat on the back.
Lamorlaye visitors delighted by their trip
Our visitors from the French town of Lamorlaye have returned
home after a short visit to Ballynahinch on Saint Patrick's Weekend.
During their brief stay, some of them took part in the Saint
Patrick's day parade in Downpatrick and they were all guests of
Down District Council at the Saint Patrick's Centre.
They returned to Paris via Dublin on Tuesday the 18th March, and
shortly after their return the following e-mail was received. Thanks
to Nigel Patterson for the e-mail and translation.
Hello,
Just to let you know that we are home safely. The plane was delayed for an
hour but, otherwise no problems.
The whole group was delighted with the trip, the welcome from our Irish
friends and your programme of events. I had nothing but compliments.
A big thank-you for everything.
I hope you aren't too tired! (I am a little, it's always hard to go back to
work after such a trip)
You will be able to see the television broadcast from tomorrow on the
Internet: at www.france3.fr
go to Regions- the programme is called 'Picardie Premiere'
See you soon
Love Annie
To visit the French TV link mentioned above
'click here'
A photo page of the Lamorlaye visit with pictures of the Thistle and
Shamrock night at the Market House is now available.
Click Here
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