Ruthin 2004

This year it was Briec's turn to visit us and a party of 45 people from Briec, including the Mayor and 25 who were visiting Rhuthun for the first time duly arrived at Canolfan Awelon on the evening of Wednesday, 19 May. They were welcomed by Gruff Hughes, the Chairman of the Ruthin Twinning Association, and enjoyed light refreshments before meeting their hosts for the next four nights. The Committee was very pleased that this year we had seven new host families. On Thursday the party visited Ewe-phoria in Llangwm where they were given a presentation on breeds of sheep, watched a sheep shearing demonstration and saw a sheepdog at work gathering and sorting sheep. This was followed by an excellent meal of Welsh Lamb, of course!! After lunch the party visited the Brenig Reservoir where they had the choice of visiting the exhibition centre or walking across the dam and up to the top end of the lake to meet the coach. A large number chose the second option. On returning to Ruthin the members of the Briec and Rhuthun Committees held a short joint meeting to discuss various aspects of twinning. Evening meals were provided by the hosts. Friday saw the party leave for a visit to Chirk Castle and gardens where we enjoyed a picnic lunch before taking the coach to Froncysyllte. Again the party was offered the choice of either staying on the coach, walking across the aqueduct and then returning to Llangollen by coach or walking across the aqueduct and then to Llangollen along the canal towpath. This time a smaller number chose to do the walk! Friday evening the committee entertained the party to dinner at Ye Olde Anchor Inn. On Saturday morning the first time visitors were given a guided walk around Ruthin before spending the afternoon with their hosts. Saturday evening the party were entertained to a meal and entertainment by Côr Rhuthun at Clawddnewydd. This was the choir's way of thanking the people of Briec for the warm welcome they had received when they visited them last year and it was a fantastic evening. Following the renaming of a square in Briec last year the Ruthin Committee had arranged with the Town Council and the County Council for the roundabout near the Craft Centre to be officially named the Briec Roundabout by the Mayors of Rhuthun and Briec. This was followed by a Civic Reception by the Mayor of Ruthin and lunch at Ruthin Castle provided by the committee. After lunch the party departed from Ruthin Castle after what everyone agreed was one of the best visits yet by a party from Briec to Ruthin. On the return journey across the Channel they met different twinning associations from Brittany that had also been visiting their Welsh partners - Plogonnec (Llandysul), Plonéur-Lanvern (Llandybïe), Plouvien (Tregaron) and Plougastel (??) - and spent some happy time with them in the bar.