'Friends of Tourcoing' and Les Amis de Rochdale celebrate 50 years of friendship

Mayor and Mayoress Surinder and Cecile Biant and Deputy Mayor of Tourcoing

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Rochdale Town Twinning Association Friends of Tourcoing celebrated 50 years of family twinning on a weekend of fun and friendship with 54 friends from Tourcoing.

Chairperson Ann Sutton welcomed Deputy Mayor of Tourcoing Didier Droart, Marie-Christine Lejeune Presidente of Les Amis de Rochdale and four council representatives from Tourcoing.

The tricolour was hoisted by the Mayor of Rochdale and Deputy Mayor of Tourcoing. The programme for the weekend included a reception with Mayor and Mayoress Surinder and Cecile Biant, a visit to Caldershaw School where the pupils had organised table games, a tour of the school, refreshments and a choir performance.

Caldershaw School is linked with Condorcet primary school in Tourcoing.

On Friday the groups had a day trip to Lancaster Castle and a meal at the Midland Hotel Morecambe.

On Saturday Friends of Tourcoing in partnership with Greater Manchester Fire Museum hosted a day of fun with Skylight Circus.

Saturday evening saw a celebration with 140 people at the 50th Celebration Dinner in Rochdale Town Hall in the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress. Chairperson Ann Sutton welcomed special guests Deputy Mayor of Tourcoing Didier Droart, Presidente of Les Amis de Rochdale Marie-Christine Lejeune and Deputy Lieutenant Ian Sandiford JP DL and Mrs Sandiford.

Gifts were presented to Dorothy Forshaw in recognition of 50 years membership of Friends of Tourcoing. Christopher Dobby received a gift having been a member of Les Amis since 1966 and at the age of 92 continues to take part in the exchanges. Jean-Pierre Collado was presented with a gift in recognition of his contribution to Twinning. This was his 115th visit to Rochdale. He began in 1971 as organiser of exchanges for schools and community groups and is remembered by many children now adults in Rochdale Borough. He continues to organise exchanges for groups in EU. The ladies received bouquets of flowers presented by the youth of both Associations. Remi and Paul Vampouille, Megane Milville, Emma Merciere and Ben Cooper.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Michael Bidny.

Entertainment was provided by the Lancashire Fusiliers Corps of Drums followed by singer/entertainer, Tom Collins.