Carnforth Visit to Sailly sur-la-Lys - 2009
Travelling to France on Good Friday the contingent of around 35 adults and children arrived during the early evening and attended a welcome reception hosted by the Twinning Association and Town Mayor during which a message from Carnforth Town mayor Mr Tony Johnson was read before the visitors returned to the homes of their hosts.
The following day a series of pre-arranged visits by the visitors and their hosts to local places of interest took place. In Wambrechies, west of Lille the morning and early afternoon was taken up by a visit to a distillery which produced an almost bewildering variety of alcoholic beverages including two varieties of French Gin spirits up to 50% proof, French malt whiskies and flavoured liqueurs, nearby a Toy Museum provided an interesting focus for a talk on WW1 history together with an opportunity to play on "hands on" games representing 100 years of history.
The day finished with a visit to "La Piscine" (swimming pool) in Roubaix, East of Lille. The swimming pool was built in a lavish Art Deco style in 1932 by industrialists who had made their money through textiles. La Piscine now houses a lovely collection of paintings, some gorgeous Galle and Lalique glass and a great collection of Picasso ceramics.
Sunday and Monday were days spent with hosts during which many groups of English visitors and French hosts came together to join in informal group activities, which included a barbeque and a trip to the seaside resorts around Boulogne whilst others enjoyed a trip to the historic city of Lille and an Easter fete at Cassel which included bands, beer and giants...
Another group visited the famous sand sculptures at Stella Plage, near Le Touquet, feasting on mussels (moules) and speciality pancakes (crêpes). A local area known as Trois Monts, (three mountains), which are actually small hills in an area otherwise known as being very flat provided the venue for an easy walk followed by leisurely food and drink on the terrace of a restaurant in the Spring sunshine.
The Twinning visit was concluded on Monday with an evening meal of local favourites Beef Carbonade and Potjevlesch which consists of cold chicken, rabbit and veal in a rich jelly held in the Polyvalente Hall. Entertainment was provided by "La Piposa" a group featuring traditional music of the Northern France and Flanders area.
During the evening it was announced by the Mayor of Sailly, Madame Annie von Cortenbosch and Twinning Committee President Rachida Bounoua, that one of the town public meeting rooms in Sailly sur-la-Lys is to be known as the "Tony Rimmer Room" in recognition of the respect with which the late Tony Rimmer one of the founder members of Carnforth Twinning Association is held. Mr Frank Barton was also announced as the honorary town crier of Sailly sur la Lys.