25 years of Newtown being twinned with Les Herbiers to be celebrated

Newtown Town Council is set to approve plans for a civic reception welcoming the Mayor of Les Herbiers in France to celebrate a quarter-century of town twinning.

Newtown Town Council will tomorrow night consider proposals to mark 25 years of twinning with the French town of Les Herbiers, including a public reception for visiting French dignitaries at September's Newtown Food Festival.

The Maire des Herbiers, M. Christophe Hogard, will visit Newtown with his Mayor's Aide and Regional Cultural Representative from Saturday 6th to Monday 8th September. 

The visit coincides with the annual exchange between the Newtown Twinning Association (NTA) and their French counterparts, who will run their popular 'French Village' at the Food Festival.

A report to council from the Town Clerk proposes a 45-60 minute public ceremony on Sunday, 7th September at 3pm within the French Village marquee. The event would include welcome speeches from both mayors, an exchange of gifts between the towns, and afternoon tea for approximately 30 guests.

The twinning relationship began with a proclamation signed between the mayors on 16th October 1999, establishing what the original agreement described as "permanent ties between the town councils to foster exchange between inhabitants in every area of life to develop a living sense of European kinship and better mutual understanding."

Since then, the Newtown Twinning Association has maintained regular cultural, social and economic exchanges between the communities, supported by an annual grant from the town council.

Council papers reveal the celebration would cost a maximum of £1,000, covering catering and a gift exchange. 

The report states the visit represents "a slightly belated opportunity to jointly and publicly celebrate the 25 years of twinning between towns" alongside welcoming the French delegation.

The Town Clerk's recommendations include authorising arrangements "to welcome publicly the Maire des Herbiers and his delegation to Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn at Food Festival and to celebrate jointly and publicly the 25 years of twinning between towns."

The French twinning group, approximately 12 strong, will stay with host families from Thursday 4th to Tuesday 9th September. They will join the NTA in hosting the customary French Village, selling French products, food and wine at the Food Festival.

The NTA has already planned a separate music and buffet evening for visitors and hosts at Hafan yr Afon on Sunday evening.

If approved, the event would represent the most prominent formal marking of the international partnership since its establishment.