Twenty members visited our twin town in France for the first official visit since the final signing of the charter in 2005 and stayed with our Chauvinois hosts. We were given a civic reception by the Mayor of Chauvigny, Gerard Herbert, on our arrival on the 16th May and from then on we were royally entertained as usual by our hosts.

There was an official programme which included a coach trip to Abbaye de Fontevraud. A conducted tour had been arranged with an English-speaking (and singing) guide.

The Abbaye is one of the largest and best-preserved abbeys of France. It was founded by Robert d'Arbrissel and consecrated in 1119. Robert was a radical founder and entrusted the running of the Abbey to an abbess with the result that it became a favourite sanctuary for the female aristocracy including, importantly, Eleanor of Aquitaine whose body and that of her husband, King Henry II of England, are buried there. Although not always on good terms with Henry, King Richard I (the Lionheart) requested to be buried at the feet of his father. Eleanor's daughter-in-law Isabella, wife of King John, is also buried at Fontevraud and the hearts of John and his son Henry III were also brought there. The picture shows the four recumbent figures of Eleanor, Henry, Richard and Isabella in the nave of the abbey church. The abbey church was particularly impressive with an immense nave with four domes and carved capitals (see picture).

Some of the more historically-minded of us were amused to hear the Normans and Plantagenets referred to as 'English' kings. Our hosts seemed to have forgotten that they had conquered us in 1066! We also visited the medieval town of Chinon, followed by a wine tasting at a vineyard where much wine was bought.

The abbey was taken over by Napoleon in 1804 and converted to a prison. It remained as such until 1963 and much of the interior decorations and fixtures were destroyed or damaged during this long period of prison use. A careful and comprehensive restoration programme was begun in 1963, a process which we observed during our visit as continuing.

On Saturday morning, the two committees got together to plan the year ahead. Our French friends will be returning to Billericay in July next year when John Baron MP has arranged to take us on a guided tour of the House of Commons.

On the Saturday evening, we had the official dinner where presents were exchanged. Billericay Twinning Association was presented with photos of the visit to Billericay last year by the Chauvinois. Cllr Marion Wilson, representing Billericay Town Council, was presented with a framed photo of the castle in the medieval old town in Chauvigny taken by the acclaimed Chilean photographer Luis Lazo.

Our gift to Chauvigny was a scale model of the Mayflower made by David Clark, Chairman of the Chauvigny Sub-committee. In his speech, David gave the French a history of the Pilgrim Fathers and the relevance of the Mayflower to Billericay.

The model of the Mayflower was particularly well-received. It was meant to be the main gift two years ago when the Charter was signed, but it took David three years to complete instead of the one year that he had originally estimated David was rewarded with a French double kiss, de Gaulle fashion; a bit embarrassing for him, but quite an honour! Our thanks go to John and Ros Kelk who transported the Mayflower in its display case across France on the back seat of their car. After the meal a choir made up of Chauvigny hosts and hostesses sang a traditional French ballad. The evening finished with the Marseillaise, God Save the Queen (the second verse was sung as a duet by David Clark and Marion Wilson, they being the only Brits who appeared to know the words!) and 'Land of Hope and Glory', (which brought the house down).

The photo below shows the handover; left to right, David Clark, Madame Nelly Teyant, President of the Chauvigny Twinning Association, Gerard Herbert, Mayor of Chauvigny and Cllr Mrs Marion Wilson. The small boy with the flag is the Mayor's son. The Mayflower will be on permanent public display in the Town Hall in Chauvigny.

The social side of the visit was taken up with long lunches and long dinners with groups of up to ten people, and visits to local places of interest of which there are many in this beautiful corner of France. A highly enjoyable visit which bears witness to the post-war ideal of European town twinning and to the success of our Association.

In a reciprocal arrangement to last year, Fishers are sending four students and two teachers to Billericay this June. The party will include two students and one teacher each from Hamilton South-eastern High School and Fishers High School. The visit will be from 13th to 20^th June. A full itinerary has been prepared which will include a full day in London, a visit to Kentwell Hall, Long Melford, a longboat trip on the Chelmer, a meeting with Billericay's Youth Council and a dinner on their last evening here. A full report will be in the next Newsletter.

John Baron's Fun Walk is becoming a regular event of the year. Regrettably the day, May 20^th, coincided with our visit to Chauvigny and several of the keen walkers amongst our members were in France. Nevertheless three members (Maralyn and John Buchanan and Coryn Hart) took part and the grand sum of £75 has been raised by them. In addition the Association will be entitled to a share of the corporate sponsorship fund. Our thanks go to the walkers, to Roger Hart for being a marshal and to John Buchanan again for the organisation.

There are three forthcoming events which you may like to take note and perhaps visit or join in.

Stall in High Street (outside D. J. Murray) on July 14^th to promote our Association.

Fun-day on Sunday on July 15^th at Sun Corner. We will have a stall at this event organised by Billericay Rotary Club. Games suitable for children and families will be offered.

Basildon Car Park on 22^nd September. Our Association will be manning the car park on that day and will be entitled to a share of the income. We are still wanting more volunteers (2-hour shifts are being arranged) and anyone willing to spend a couple of hours on that day should contact Patricia Clark on 01277 625448.