Weymouth and Portland twinning trek

The trio walked from Hope Square to the Nothe Fort to mark the 50th anniversary of the relationship between the borough and the town in Normandy.

Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Anne Kenwood walked with Portland mayor Richard Paisley and Roland Lienard, First Deputy Mayor of Louviers.

Civic macebearers Nigel le Sueur and Paul Whyte carried the borough maces in front of the three mayors in a rare civic procession.

Some 150 people joined in the procession, including 66 visitors from Louviers.

On arrival at the Nothe Fort, the procession was welcomed by Langton Herring town crier Doris Eastwood with a special ‘cry’.

Past president Andy Cooke welcomed the mayors on behalf of the borough’s chamber of commerce, which was hosting a special golden jubilee lunch.

He said that the business community welcomed the positive links with the mayors and the local authority.

Mr Cooke greeted the French visitors, who were staying in Weymouth for five days.

Coun Kenwood thanked the chamber of commerce for hosting the lunch and congratulated caterer Sarah Liddle.

Before lunch, the Nothe Fort’s gun battery had been demonstrating their gun drill and fired the traditional noonday gun.

The English and French parties enjoyed tours of the Nothe Fort – conducted in English and French – and were welcomed by Nothe Fort chairman Helen Rettie.

In the afternoon, the First Deputy Mayor of Louviers and some business members of the Louviers delegation, were taken on a tour of the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy followed by a cream tea at the Portland Heights Hotel.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s communication officer Jacqui Gisborne led the tour, together with Mr Cooke.

M Lienard, standing in for mayor Franck Martin who was unable to attend this year, said: “The dream of the charter signed 50 years ago was a Europe of people and fraternity, intending that the enemies of yesterday could keep the peace together.