Ruthin 2008
Les Alouettes....
.....visit the Cuckoos!!!!
It's May 2008 and once again Ruthin is buzzing with the visit of 42 friends from the Pays Glazik. Regular visitors who have become good friends over the years were joined by several first-timers - and on the Ruthin side too this was the first taste of twinning and hosting for some.
As always, it was another wonderful few days of talking, laughing, dancing, singing and learning, with some fascinating visits - another small but significant step towards the understanding between different nationalities, cultures and languages.
"À la prochaine.....!!"
Our visitors arrive - for the first time they are received at the new Llanfwrog Community Centre. A warm reunion for some, a first-time meeting for others. The formal welcome was made by the Mayor of Ruthin, Cllr. Pat Astbury. This was followed by a convivial dinner for hosts and guests at the Llanfwrog Centre.
The next day - Thursday - the Breton party visited Anglesey - the highlights, apart from crossing the bridges, being visits to Beaumaris and to Llynnon Mill - the last working wind flour mill in Wales - and its neighbouring Bronze Age settlement reconstruction. Despite some difficult roads, Driver Joelle was still smiling.
In the evening Cor Rhuthun a'r Cylch entertained our visitors in Pwllglas. The quality of the music astounded the Bretons (though we in Ruthin know h0w good they are) - but the warmth of the welcome, the fun and the informality were equally enjoyed. (If you want to know more about our choir, do check out their website by Clicking Here)
On Friday we broke new ground - for the first time our visitors were treated to a trip in .... England!... though of course Liverpool has many cultural and other ties with Wales (and the Scousers drink our water). Arrival in the city had to be by 'Ferry 'cross the Mersey' to the impressive City Hall, where no less a person than the Lord Mayor laid on a civic welcome. A guided tour of the city was followed by a visit to the two contrasting cathedrals.
In the evening there was an opportunity to relax and enjoy a quiet (?) evening at home with hosts, and on Saturday too visitors and hosts arranged their own excursions all over North Wales. Many opted for an optional guided historical tour of Ruthin by Vernon, including a visit to the newly restored Nantclwyd y Dre (which you can learn more about by Clicking Here . Others followed Bill Evans to the top of Moel Famau for some altitude and fresh air in the afternoon.
On Saturday evening we were all reunited for a dinner to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the link between our two communities. The excellent meal was provided in the new dining hall at Ysgol Brynhyfryd, by their kitchen staff. Afterwards we moved to Theatr John Ambrose, next door, for a convivial evening of song, dance and laughter.
There was, too, a more formal side, with brief addresses from the two Mayors and the two chairmen, and an exchange of tokens of friendship between the two towns. The 'Alouette' and the 'Cuckoo' which are now firmly established in our annual celebration of song, are now immortalised in paint, by one of our visitors, Catherine.
And even the dragon joined in....
Finally, on Sunday we had to say goodbye, and our guests made their farewells in the grandiose surroundings of Ruthin Castle.
And so - 'à la prochaine...'