A delegation of nine visitors from Privas arrived at York Station late afternoon on Saturday, June 13th. They were welcomed by their hosts and whisked away to homes in Wetherby, Harewood, Bickerton and Boston Spa. The evening was spent with their host families. Sunday was Drovers’ Day in Wetherby, so the hosts and visitors met up at the Garden of Rest ready for the Mayor’s opening speech and welcome – and the first band of the day.
After a long day watching 20 bands perform, everyone met up again at the Black Bull for a traditional Yorkshire Sunday dinner prepared by chef Mark.
Monday morning proved to be yet another fine day. Nic from Wetherby Civic Society took some of our guests and hosts on a one-hour tour of Wetherby, ending up at the Black Bull, where we had eaten dinner the previous day. This was followed by the official welcome to Wetherby in the Town Hall by our Town Mayor, Cllr. Connor Mulhall. The speeches were interspersed with some wonderful singing by the Crossley Street School choir. The Mayor presented Francois Briffotaux with a beautiful print of the town showing some of the places the group had visited earlier.
After a delicious lunch in the Town Hall, we set off for the Petanque terrain on the Ings where we played several matches. Privas proved to have the stronger players so won the competition.
Later that day, we all met up again at the St James Church Centre where we enjoyed a fish and chip supper provided by The Frying Pan followed by wonderful desserts provided by our members. Then commenced the main part of the evening, a darts competition for the McGill Challenge Trophy. Again, Privas players proved to be the stronger, so the Trophy goes back to Privas once again.
Tuesday was a free day for our guests and their hosts chose a variety of activities and visits, meeting up again in the evening at the Bridge Hotel and Spa for a dinner and presentation of gifts and the McGill Challenge Trophy. Below, a smiling Francois Briffotaux receives the McGill Challenge Trophy from Wetherby Twinning Association Chair, Cindy Bentley
Wednesday was the day of our visit to the Civic Hall in Leeds to meet the Lord Mayor and have a tour round the trophies and other memorabilia presented to Leeds over many years. We met up in the beautiful tiled restaurant at the Art Gallery before walking round to the Civic Hall where we received a very warm welcome from the new Lord Mayor and had tea with him before being taken on a tour of the trophy cabinets and the council chamber. A very interesting afternoon for both our French guests and their hosts.
And so, the visit drew to an end. Thursday saw our guests depart from York station, albeit with a slight problem – they had to change trains at the last minute and were late leaving York. Fortunately, it did not affect their departure on Eurostar from London to Lille.
It was a very successful visit, the weather was not too warm and we had no rain, unlike some previous years when the weather has been atrocious. Thanks to everyone who took part in the visit.
