News

RIOTS FAIL TO DETER LOCAL ARMISTICE VISITORS

Rioting in France has prompted many visitors to cancel their bookings to the country but members of two local twinning associations went ahead regardless with visits to their twin towns, laying wreaths in memory of those who died in the First and Second World Wars.

The town of Evreux near Aviron

Twenty members of the Sandgate Twinning Association were greeted with a very warm welcome from residents of their twin town of Sangatte who revere Armistice Day.

Twinning Committee member Dave Bateman said: "The French pay great importance to Armistice Day, with old and young remembering those who lost their lives. 

"One of the most striking aspects of the ceremony is the number of children attending.

"We should share the good times and share the grief.

"There were no signs of the rioting and as it was a public holiday in France, the streets were very quiet. Security is obviously an issue but the riots must not stop us going about our normal business" Mr. Bateman said.

Meanwhile a contingent from Swingfield Twinning Association travelled to the village's twin town of Aviron.

Colin Tearle represented the Chairman of Swingfield Parish Council Roger Curd who was unable to attend the Ceremony.

Mr Tearle said: " We received a very warm reception and the residents appeared genuinely pleased that we made the trip with all the troubles going on. There were twice the usual number of people attending the ceremony. 

" I stepped in at short notice to act as Chairman of Swingfield Parish Council and laid a wreath at the memorial".

But in this difficult time for the French people trouble seems to never be far away and Mr. Tearle told the Gazette: "As we were about to leave we were warned to avoid a demonstration in Madeleine, a district on the outskirts of the nearby town of Evreux".

The same district had suffered rioting the previous weekend (5 and 6 November).