40th Anniversary Celebration Weekend 6 - 8 July 2007

Friday 6 July - London Sightseeing affected by preparations for the Tour de France!

After several weeks of typical English summer weather - the wettest June on record -– the sun shone, if a little weakly, for all the important moments of the weekend. We set off from Braintree bright and early on Friday morning by Flag Finder’s coach. This was interesting because Steve Cook’s (who runs the coach company) father, Harry, had taken the first party from Braintree by coach to Pierrefitte in 1968. Those in the welcoming party going to meet the group of 34 French, which included the Mayor of Pierrefitte, Mme Catherine Hanriot, who were due to arrive by Eurostar at Waterloo, were Vice Chairman Brian Howarth, Secretary Diane Measom and David Barker from the Braintree Camera Club, one of the Official Twinning Photographers for the weekend.

The train arrived promptly on time at 11.00am and after the usual warm embraces of welcome, we boarded our coach for a short sightseeing tour of Central London. However, this proved more difficult than we had anticipated. Although we were aware that this weekend was to be the start of the Tour de France Cycle Race, we were unprepared for roads to be already closed on the Friday morning. Our three-quarters of an tour turned into two hours of moving slowly in traffic jams. By the time we returned to the Victoria Embankment Gardens, our planned dropping place for a picnic lunch, it was 1.30pm (2.30pm at French time!). This meant of course that everybody was very hungry after such an early start from Paris.

The picnic was therefore very rapidly consumed and then there was a need for a comfort call! Unfortunately the toilets in the gardens were under reconstruction. Therefore, armed with her “baguette magique” Diane Measom led off in search of an alternative. The plan was to walk through to Covent Garden and then rendezvous with the coach in the Aldwych outside the Waldorf Hotel. On passing along the side of the Savoy Hotel, enquiries were made as to where the nearest toilets could be found and a very charming employee of the hotel took the whole party inside, with the doorman holding open the door for them in a very grand manner.

Once the party was reassembled again outside the Savoy, they were led off into Covent Garden for a short look around and a photo call of everyone just outside. It was then back to the coach and a further short tour taking in the Tower of London and crossing and recrossing Tower Bridge before heading out via Canary Wharf and Docklands with views of the Millenium Dome. The coach then picked up the M11 and we arrived in Braintree just after 5.00pm.

There was a welcome in the Learning for Life Centre by the Vice Chairman of Braintree District Council, Margaret Galione and the visitors were introduced to their hosts before dispersing to their homes for a short moment of relaxation before the next part of the programme.

For photos see Photo Gallery

Civic Reception at the Discovery Centre, Great Notley

The Discovery Centre is situated on the south west side of Braintree just off the new A131 bypass road and in the area known as the Great Notley Country Park. The design and construction of the building employs the latest sustainable features such as solar panels for the hot water system, a wind turbine which generates a third of the Centre’s electricity needs, collection of rain water for the toilets and a natural reed bed for treating the outflow (see photo and Photo Gallery ).

This was the formal event of the weekend hosted by Lady Patricia Newton, Chair of Braintree District Council. Mr John “Skip” Papworth, Town Crier, acted as Master of Ceremonies for the evening and introduced each speaker and announced each part of the proceedings (see photo and Photo Gallery).

In her speech (see 40th Anniversary Celebration Speeches), Lady Patricia, who spoke in French and whose translation was read by Diane Measom, thanked all those who had worked so hard over the years to keep the link alive. She then presented Madame Hanriot with a framed print on silk.

See photo and Photo Gallery

Catherine Hanriot, Mayor of Pierrefitte, whose speech (see 40th Anniversary Celebration Speeeches) was translated by Philippe Roy, also spoke of those who have supported the link through the years, especially those who have acted as hosts. She presented Lady Patricia with a stained glass panel made by an artist from Pierrefitte. See photo and Photo Gallery

Ken Measom, Chair of Braintree Twinning Association, whose speech (see 40th Anniversary Celebration Speeches) was translated by Eleanor Marshall, introduced two former Chairs of Pierrefitte Twinning, Thierry Delalee and Pierre Machon and two former Chairs of Braintree Twinning, Les Mitchell and David Pullen. He also thanked Graham Butland, Leader of Braintree District Council, who was unable to be present, for all his help and support for this Civic Reception and Donna Walton for her hard work with the arrangements for the evening. He concluded by presenting Evelyne Dupont with a framed picture of the 40th anniversary logo and the coats of arms of the two towns.See photo and Photo Gallery

Finally Evelyne Dupont, Chair of Pierrefitte Twinning, whose speech (see 40th Anniversary Celebration Speeches) was translated by Mohamed Yahiaoui, spoke of the different kinds of exchanges which had taken place in the past and she hoped would continue until the 45th or 50th anniversary. She presented to Ken Measom an engraved glass plate with a design depicting the 40th anniversary made by the same local artist. There were also other gifts given including a painting by Denis Delalee (mother of Thierry) which was presented to Lady Newton (see photo and Photo Gallery). Evelyne Dupont also presented flowers to Lady Newton and Diane Measom (see photo and Photo Gallery).

To conclude the formalities, Lady Newton and Mme Hanriot signed two new charters, one in English and one in French, which reaffirmed the original Proclamation of Association. For photos see Photo Gallery .

Everyone was then invited to enjoy the marvellous buffet. Amongst those present at this Reception were Lord Tony Newton, husband to Lady Patricia and former MP for Braintree and Leader of the House of Commons. Also present were the current MP for Braintree, Brooks Newmark, the previous MP, Alan Hurst and the Chief Executive of Braintree District Council Allen Reid. For photos see Photo Gallery

After the buffet, Lady Newton and Mme Hanriot were called upon to cut the anniversary cake which had been made by Agnes Bishop and decorated by her daughter (for photos of cutting of cake see Photo Gallery). This was followed by a slide show (diaporama) given by three members of Pierrefitte Photo Club, Jacque Dupont, Jean and Pierre Prunier. This was of photos taken by Pierre and Jean at the time of the original signing in July 1967 with a sound track of speeches from that time. At the end of the slide show they presented both Mme Hanriot and Lady Newton with a photo album and CD. (for photos see Photo Gallery). This was a fitting finale to a very memorable evening.

Saturday 7 July

Fortune gave us another fine morning for those new visitors to enjoy a guided walk around the historical parts of Braintree given by David Possee, Secretary of Braintree Local History Society. This concluded with a roof top view of the town from the flat roof of Philers Cafe. There was also time for shopping and visiting the Twinning Anniversary exhibition in the Dome Gallery of Braintree Library. For photos see Photo Gallery

Everyone came together for a buffet lunch in the Learning for Life Centre provided by the Herb Garden Cafe. Then the choristers from Pierrefitte set off for a rehearsal at Felsted School Chapel and the rest of the visitors were entertained individually by their hosts. The rehearsal was the first opportunity for all three choirs to come together and practice the finale for the concert. The arranger of the music, Graham Marshall, was on hand with helpful suggestions.

40th Anniversary Concert at Felsted School Chapel

This was the highlight of the weekend’s celebration and the climax of over two years planning. Diane Measom welcomed everyone to the evening of music entitled “Back to the Sixties” and introduced Thierry Delalee who spoke about Colette Jourdain, former Vice Chair of Pierrefitte Twinning who died last year and to whom the concert was dedicated. For concert programme and welcome speech see 40th Anniversary Concert For photos see Photo Gallery .

The Braintree Male Voice Choir (see photo and Photo Gallery), under the direction of Elisabeth Miller, opened the programme with “Rhythm of Life” and sang other well known songs including “Yesterday” and “Moon River”. The Pierrefitte Choir (see photo and Photo Gallery), conducted and accompanied by David Lauer, processed on whilst singing in medieval French “Fi Marie de Votre Amour”. Their medley of popular French songs from the 1960s had the audience humming along and when they finished with three spirituals everyone joined in with the clapping.

After the interval Diane Measom took everyone back on a nostalgic and light hearted review of the events of 1967 . Unfortunately Malo Gervais had not been able to come with the party due to ill health but the organ playing of David Lauer showed his great ability as a prize winning organist and the splendours of the Chapel organ. This was followed by three pieces, two of which were in French, sung by the Braintree Choral Society conducted by David Shead (see photo and Photo Gallery). They finished with a spirited medley of songs from Lionel Bart’s musical “Oliver”.

All three choirs then took their positions for the finale entitled “Entente Musicale” (link to finale words and see photo and Photo Gallery). The words for this celebration of 40 years of Twinning were written by Graham Marshall’s wife Eleanor.

Finally, Diane Measom thanked all those who had given their time and worked so hard to stage this concert.(see 40th Anniversary Concert). The evening concluded with a buffet and time to socialise in the Lord Riche Hall. For photos see Photo Gallery).

Sunday 8 July

Unfortunately all good things must eventually end and 10.00am was the time to rendezvous for the coach at the Bus park in Braintree town centre. There were many hugs and kisses and last minute photos before everyone was on board for a tour of the local villages – Finchingfield and Thaxsted (for photos see Photo Gallery) – before a stop in Saffron Walden for a picnic lunch on the green (for photos see Photo Gallery ).

The coach then set off for London, arriving in time for another short sightseeing circuit before dropping our visitors at Waterloo in time for their 4.15pm Eurostar back to Paris.