The Mayor of Nevers came to St. Albans on an official visit for the weekend of the  22nd/ 23rd/24th of July.  He was a guest of the Mayor of St. Albans and followed an intensive sight seeing programme of the local area.  Andrea Berry a committee member of the Friends of Nevers was asked to act as interpreter and took part in the weekend.  Some other committee members also joined in the official meal at Veer Dhara One.  Below is Andrea’s amusing account of the event, in rhyme.

The Mayor of Nevers came to town

With a delegation all of his own.

The aim: to further connections

Well before the next elections.

Business, school, indeed all organisations

Will benefit from improved relations

As Denis’ expertise in technology

Will combine with his methodology

To increase not only Anglo-French communication

But also global twin town job creation.

A morning of St. Albans history

Was followed by the mystery

Of an oh so English game of cricket –

The poor French not coping with the wicket

(For which there is no translation in either word nor deed).

Our efforts to welcome were well received

The Nivernaises above all relieved

To have time to shop at M&S

Before returning à l’hôtel to dress.

The finest local cuisine was savoured:

The Indian banquet amazingly flavoured.

Gifts were exchanged; and sad to part

The French left with St Albans within their heart.

23 people travelled to Nevers for our exchange visit in June this year, some to renew old friendships and 5 new people visiting Nevers for the first time.   We travelled by Eurostar to Paris, sharing taxis between Gard du Nord and Gare de Bercy, arriving at Nevers station early evening were we were greeted by our hosts who had all gathered to welcome us.

The Amicale had arranged a full day’s outing to the city of Bourges and we enjoyed an interesting guided tour of the Palais Jacques Coeur built in the 15^th century for the wealthy merchant.  It was the weekend of  the Bourges Medieval Fair, and after a typical French lunch, there was time to explore the cathedral and the market stalls.

Later, we were taken for a walk in the unique Marais district on the edge of the city centre, where allotments are separated by narrow water channels and the owners access their plots by punts, a haven for wildlife too.

During the weekend, we had two free days to spend with our hosts and to see the various attractions in Nevers itself and nearby.  The beautiful gardens of Apremont by the River Allier, the small medieval city of La Charite-sur-Loire and the costume museum in Moulins were among the places that people visited.

The evening dinner, held in a Nevers restaurant, was attended by visitors, hosts and other friends – about 60 people – and gifts were exchanged between the Amicale and the Friends of Nevers.

On the journey back to London, it became clear that new friendships had been made and the visit was voted a success.  We look forward to welcoming members of the Amicale to St Albans next year.

The Nevers Amicale arrived in St. Albans for their biennial visit  on Thursday 5th May 2016.

Friday was spent with their hosts, some visiting museums and Art galleries in London.  Whilst others visited local sights or walked in the English countryside enjoying the warm weather.

On Friday evening we had a delighful evening meal at Redbourn Golf club, which was attended by nearly 60 people including the Mayor of St. Albans.

On Saturday we visited Mapledurham house and below is a description of the day by one of our members.

We had a curious start to the day: setting off east on the M25 reminded many of us of how tricky reading road signs in Europe can be!

Once the problem was rectified we had an easy drive to Caversham, parking at a promisingly delightful mooring where our boat, The Caversham Princess,  was waiting. 

The gentle cruise from there to Mapledurham didn’t disappoint. We glided past river banks that were looking sumptuous in their early summer greenery and our visitors were delighted to spot strings of ducklings and cygnets following their watchful parents.
Arriving at Mapledurham was to step back in time. The house, originally owned by the Blount family, felt into disrepair over the years and more recently has passed to the Davis family: husband and wife are determined to restore the estate to its original state which they do on an entirely self-funding basis.

On arrival we were offered soup and sandwiches before meeting our lively and engaging guide, Corry Starling, who began the tour at the front entrance of the house. He managed to juggle his fascinating and informative talk with Micheline, spokesperson for the Nevers Amicale, who took on a sentence by sentence translation for our French guests.

The interior of the house was fascinating; we learned that the main reception rooms were on the first floor and the status of visitors dictated whether you were received in the first, second or third room: only the most impressive visitors gaining access to the furthest from the stairs!
Mapledurham is unique in that it boasts the last working mill on the Thames and in recent times has been fitted, via incredibly difficult challenges, with an Archimedes Screw Thread Turbine. Not understood by everyone, but we learnt that it is the largest of its kind on the River Thames, 8000 litres of water passing through it every second.

Unfortunately there was a film was being made in the mill and so we were unable to visit it, but the view across the lake was one fitting of a Constable painting and Corry’s delightful repartee was entertainment enough.

There was just time to wander a little in the grounds and churchyard before re-assembling for a cream tea and an easy ride home. It had been a thoroughly enjoyable day.

The Amicale left on Sunday morning after an action packed few days, and we look forward to seeing them in Nevers next year.