On Thursday 6th June Llantrisant had the pleasure of welcoming a party of 6 from Crecy en Ponthieu –
Christelle Richard – 2eme Adjointe
Olivier Sueur – Conseiller Municipale
Nathalie Dacquet – Administration
Cindy Demailly – headteacher Ecole Primaire
Faustine Paes-Cosme – teacher Ecole Primaire
and a retired teacher Lisianne Astarick.
Transport during the visit was kindly arranged by PC Mike Perry and Helen Liberty using the Explorer Scouts minibus. Both had visited Crecy in 2017 as part of a delegation visiting the annual commemoration the 1346 battle.
Teachers Mike Hurford, Tonysguboriau Primary School and Nicola Prewett, Llantrisant Primary School had visited the primary school in Crecy in June 2018 and a year on both Tonysguboriau and Llantrisant Primary School had prepared a warm Welsh welcome for our delegation. The day included performances from pupils and the opportunity for our visitors to talk to teachers and pupils and look through wall displays and workbooks. The Year 6 pupils were shown a short film made by the pupils of Crecy and had lots of questions to ask our guests. Now Year 6 pupils are eager to create their own film in exchange.
Our day at the schools further built on our educational links between France and Wales. The initial contact between two of our local teachers in 2018 was now expanding through both of our local schools as teachers at Tonysguboriau and Llantrisant met our 2019 delegation and explored ways the schools can work collaboratively to ensure pupils in both countries can share the understanding of each other’s culture, language and history. Exciting times ahead!
In the evening the delegation enjoyed a traditional Fish and Chip supper from our local chippy Scrumps. As guest of the Town Trust our delegation then went on to an evening’s entertainment at the Voices & Brass concert at Llantrisant Church.
Saturday saw another full day visiting St Fagans in the morning before attending the annual Big Picnic, on the Castle Green and completing a tour of Llantrisant that included the Billy Wynt, former Welsh School, Model House and the local shops.
It has become a tradition that visitors from Crecy enjoy an evening at the Cross Inn pub with the Llantrisant Male Voice Choir and this visit was not exception.
Sunday morning saw a lovely walk over the barrage from Penarth to the Bay before taking the water taxi to Cardiff Castle. There was time for a quick shop before heading back for our final meal together at the O’Sullivans Brasserie. French consulate, Madame Marie Brosseau- Navarro, based in Cardiff, joined our delegation together withMick Antoniw, AM.
The Council very much appreciates the support from so many in making this a memorable visit for us all.