‘Jubilant jumelage’ bridges the Channel

WHILST the future of the England’s place in the European Union is becoming a national talking point, the union between Thame and its twin town of Montesson in France, continues to grow and strengthen. Friends from Thame’s twin town of Montesson, near France, have been visiting the town for 14 years, hosted by Thame families, and last weekend proved to be one of the most memorable.

Inspired by last September’s arrival in Montesson, by members of the Haddenham Hillbillies Cycle Club who had cycled from Thame, four Montessonaise did the ride in the other direction, arriving in Thame on Friday evening, May 8, shortly after a coach load of their fellow townsfolk. Despite encountering the fiercest winds for many months, causing one of them to actually be blown off her bike- twice, they made it to Marlow on the fourth day, Friday, where they were met by a contingent of Haddeham Hillbillies and friends, and High Wycombe Cycle Club, and escorted over the Chilterns into Thame.

Elisabeth Charriere, from Montesson, receives a certificate and a kiss from Haddenham Hillbillie, Justin Shardlow

At a welcoming reception at Thame town hall, they were congratulated by Linda Emery, Chair of Thame and District Twinning Association, and later, the Mayor of Thame, Jeannette Matelot Green, and presented with a souvenir, framed certificate of their epic achievement, by Justin Shardlow of the Haddenham Hillbillies.

On Saturday, the French visitors were treated to a visit to the magnificent National Trust property and school, Stowe House and gardens, where they enjoyed a tour of the house with a French-speaking guide and explored the vast and magical gardens, created as ‘an earthly paradise’ with lakeside walks, bridges and temples. On Sunday, the Thame hosts and French visitors came together to share a communal champagne reception and lunch at The Three Horse Shoes pub in Towersey, before setting off back home via the Channel Tunnel.

Spokesperson for Thame Twinning, Julie Fitzsimons, was delighted with the way the work of her hard-working committee had paid off. She reported: “The Montessonais could scarcely have recovered from their return trip when they flooded my inbox with cheery emails, bursting with thanks for the lovely weekend and for the very warm welcome we gave them.

“This year’s group included several people who were visiting England (let alone Thame!) for the first time, and they were particularly touched by our generous hospitality.

“On behalf of the entire Twinning Committee I would like to thank all those who were able to be involved this year – the 14th year (!) of receiving guests from Montesson. We can take heart from this annual coming together of friends, both old and new. The notion of twinning might be considered an old-fashioned one, but making and maintaining links in this way is becoming increasingly important when the wider trend seems to be towards division and fragmentation.”

Plans are already being made to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Thame-Montesson ‘jumelage’, with another adventure – a walk from London to Thame next May, involving members and friends of both twinning associations.