BRIDGNORTH TWINNING

There has been a major change of Council Members and Mayor in Thiers:

Following seven years as mayor, Claude Nowotny’s communist party has been

replaced by a non political organisation called Generation Thiers, with new mayor

Stephane Rodier.

Isabelle, who becomes a deputy mayor, explained that

“most members of the new Town Council have never been involved in politics,

what gathers us is our love of Thiers and our desire to make it feel and look better!”

What a great achievement for a town council to discard political bickering and to

concentrate on the important work of improving and enhancing the town!

Well done residents of Thiers!

We are please to hear that Claude will still be involved with Twinning in his capacity

as President. He is a strong supported of Twinning and was deeply involved with all

aspects of the Thiers Jumelage Committee, being present at every event organised

locally and internationally, over his seven years as the Mayor of Thiers. 

                                        A TRIBUTE TO JEAN-PAUL DUCHER

I met Jean-Paul and Jacqueline when the Jumelage between Thiers and Bridgnorth began

some forty years ago, and have spend many wonderful times in their company, at Festivals

in Schrobenhausen and Bridgnorth, and at their home at Les Hort. Jean-Paul would talk about

his experiences during many visits to the UK, (he knew more about England than I did!),

whilst Jacqueline prepared a tasty meal and then would join us to discuss family holidays,

grandchildren, politics, or twinning matters. It was a great pleasure for me to be in the

company of two very knowledgeable and caring people.

Whenever we met Jean-Paul always had a joke, or a trick to play on some unsuspecting person.

During the 2017 Christmas Market, he joined me for a “cup of tea and a scone” on the London

Bus that was parked in the Square for “British Produce Week”, when he decided to confuse

the “passengers” by conversing with me in the “Queen’s English”. The waitress was convinced

that she was serving two Englishmen, and commented on his french pronunciation, we left

the bus to the sound of all the passengers laughing with delight.

As well as mentoring numerous pupils, Jean-Paul was a revelation and inspiration for me

and I will miss his friendship.

This was the song that Jean-Paul and I sang together, over thirty years ago, at a party held in

Bridgnorth to celebrate Jumelage/Twinning friendships. I was surprised that a Frenchman

new the words to this Flanagan and Allen song, recorded sometime during the 1940’s, but as

I got to know him nothing surprised me because Jean-Paul had a wonderful combination of

knowledge, wit and humour, and when in the company of others was always ready with a

joke or funny comment. We performed that duet many times at twinning Festivals, each time

we would saunter up and down the room, one hand on a shoulder, just as the stars of the 1940s performed it.

          UNDERNEATH THE ARCHES

Underneath the arches, I dream my dreams away

Underneath the arches, on cobblestones I lay

Every night you'll find me, tired out and worn

Happy when the daylight comes creeping

Heralding the dawn

Sleeping when its raining

And sleeping when it's fine

I hear the trains rattling by above

The Pavement is my pillow, no matter where I stray

Underneath the arches, I dream my dreams away

Bless you Jean-Paul.

To Jacqueline.

With love .

Mike.

On behalf of the Bridgnorth & District Twinning Association.

https/youtu.be/ebH2GoEo6E8

The 2020 Schrobenhausen Festival has been rescheduled to 2021.

Dates to be published when available.

The 2020 International Council meeting will take place over the weekend commencing 31st October,

in Schrobenhausen. Because of the restrictions due to the pandemic, arrangements are being made

for communication via the Internet.

The Bridgnorth Twinning Festival will now take place in 2022.

The Association of Twinning Organisations pre-dates the European Union and is not politically motivated. It was set up in 1947 to promote friendship and harmony amongst nations, and twinning links have been made between most countries of the world. Bridgnorth's town twinning relationships with its partner towns of Thiers, France and Schrobenhausen, Germany are enshrined in charters signed by the respective mayors and town clerks.

Since the beginning of twinning in Bridgnorth thirty-six years ago, when six coaches, packed with three hundred residents, including a coach loaded with the Sealed Knot Militia from Worcester and their armour many strong friendships have been forged between the three Twin Towns that exist today.

Both Thiers and Schrobenhausen have geographical similarities with Bridgnorth. Both towns are positioned in rural areas surrounded by beautiful countryside, within easy access to other interesting and historic towns, including cities such as Munich, or Nuremburg, in Germany, and Clermont Ferrand, or Lyon, in France.

Schrobenhausen has a fine railway complex and friendships have already been made between rail enthusiasts, including two that have attics brimming with rare model railways. It is the main German town for the cultivation of Spargel (white asparagus). The town wall and moat date back to the 15th century.

Thiers is a vibrant town that, as Bridgnorth, has a medieval history, with a similar “low” and “high” town structure. It was the centre of cutlery manufacture for Europe and a number of factories still exist along the slopes of the Durolle river valley. As Bridgnorth, the manufacturing base has been replaced by tourism. However, you can still see the medieval architecture and visit the cutlery factories on board a small tourist train.

Twinning is no different to many organisations that are faced with non participation on the society’s committee, however that does not reflect the many personal and group friendships that exist with the Twin Towns and continue on an independent basis. I would suggest that a friendship that has lasted for thirty-six years has “stood the test of time”!

As with most things you are rewarded by the effort you are prepared to put in!

M. C. Proudman

Chairman