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The history of our twinning
In Spring 1981 a request was received by the Llantwit Major Town Council to consider twinning with the Breton town of Le Pouliguen. Le Pouliguen was already twinned with a German town, Kisslegg im Allgau but they were anxious to find a British town to revive the ancient Celtic ties of centuries ago. Llantwit with it's Celtic connections dating back to St Illtyd seemed an ideal choice. Lengthy discussions took place in
Llantwit and in summer 1981each town sent small delegations to visit each other
led by their respective Mayors. In the autumn the newly formed steering
committee of the Llantwit Major Town Twinning Association, together with the
Franco-British Twinning Committee started planning the inaugural twinning visits
and official signing of the twinning charter.
The charters, historic documents drawn
up by both committees and beautifully made by a craftsman in Nantes are
inscribed in four languages, English, French, Welsh and Breton. The charters
were signed by the two Mayors, Cllr Don Hardie and Dr Felix Monville and the
Clerk to Llantwit Major Council, Mr Eddie Lloyd and Mme Dannielle Touzalin, Vice
President of the Le Pouliguen Twinning Committee. In an exchange of gifts Llantwit Major presented Le Pouliguen with a brass miner's lamp with a lump of coal mounted on a wooden plaque. Le Pouliguen presented Llantwit with a model of a Breton lobster boat. On 22nd October 1982 the first AGM of the association was held and the first committee proper was elected. Since then alternate biennial visits have taken place with special celebrations for the 10th and 20th anniversaries. Exchanges and visits have included Llanilltud Fawr Comprehensive School, Life Guards, Choirs, Sporting Clubs, and many private visits. There have been many memorable occasions including the Llantwit coach breaking down en route to Le Pouliguen and the Le Pouliguen coach being stolen by a joy rider in Llantwit! Visits to castles, zoos, salt marshes, the Millennium Stadium, the Airbus factory ,boat trips, picnics, shopping and even to a water purification plant! The association has a thriving social and fund raising programme, which has included dances, wine tastings, Bastille day celebrations, participation in the Victorian Fair Day and Flower Festival, Jumble Sales, Coffee Mornings, Quizzes and many other events. The association goes on from strength to strength and is always anxious to welcome new menbers.
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Site designed and maintained by Ros Martin-Jones |
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people took part in the initial visit, including the Mayor and councillors,
representatives of local organisations and pupils from the Comprehensive School.
A warm welcome awaited, followed by 5 memorable days during which the first of the two identical
charters was signed in Le Pouliguen on Sunday 4th April 1982. Shortly after
the return home of the Llantwit party, 75 Bretons arrived and on Monday
12th April 1982 the second of the charters was signed. 