France/ Twinning between Aigné and Tickenham. The der des der after 33 years of exchanges

The last official exchange between Aigné and Tickenham took place from Thursday April 18 to Saturday April 20, after 33 years of twinning. Many memories will remain with us forever.

The last officialexchange between Aigné (Sarthe) and Tickenham (England) took place from Thursday April 18 to Saturday April 20, after 33 years of twinning. Many memories will remain with us forever.

Off to Bagnoles de l'Orne

Only fourteen English people made the trip, each coming by their own means - car, plane or train - with staggered arrivals from Thursday to Saturday, the last arriving just in time for the welcome drink on Saturday morning in the Salle Harvengt-Lambert. Saturday with the families and departure at eight the next morning for Bagnoles de l'Orne for a guided tour, before the Michaudière farm for a meal and horse show. Free time on Monday, followed by the closing dinner in the evening. "We invited all those who took part in the twinning and who still live in Aigné," explains Michèle Saulou, who received a large bouquet of flowers to thank her for her years as president.

48 guests

In the end, 48 meals were served by the caterer. Musical entertainment with singers kept the guests entertained, and they were soon dancing the night away.

Stable membership

In the early days of twinning, some sixty people from Aigné made regular trips to Tickenham, and the number remained stable for 25 years before gradually declining. The decline was due to aging, relocation and the non-renewal of families on the English side. "We had families waiting for ten years, but we didn't have the English equivalence.

Means of financing

On the French side, an annual "randonnée gourmande" was organized to help families finance the project.e in the region), which enjoyed a good reputation, with many people on the waiting list each year, beyond the 350th registration. "The idea was to help one family, but everyone benefited.

Reunion planned

The fact remains that many friendships have been forged over the years, "especially initially with the children, some of whom are still in touch". Some families, however, have decided to continue their relationship. "All we have to do is agree on the date, which doesn't have to be in April, as was the case with the twinning. We discussed it over a meal with our English families," say Joël and Jean-Pierre.

In any case, many memories will remain engraved forever, as will the commemorative plaque donated by the English delegation.

Source: actu.fr/pays-de-la-loire/