Among the 34 visitors from Market Drayton’s twin town of Pézenas, in the South of France, were 13 students, pictured here with some of their hosts at the Twinning Association’s Gala lunch at Goldstone Hall, which rounded off their stay. During their visit earlier this month, they went to Ironbridge, Blists Hill, Bridgemere, Alton Towers and Powis Castle. They also visited the Taste of the Town exhibition, where the Twinning Association had a stall. On offer were sweets from Pézenas called “Berlingots”, white and red wine from just outside the town, and the famous “Petits Pâtés’, the recipe for which was given to the people of Pézenas by Robert Clive.
24 families from Market Drayton and the surrounding villages hosted the visitors from Pézenas. The Mayor and councilors of Market Drayton gave a Civic Reception, at which the Mayor presented the youngsters with framed pictures of Market Drayton. In return, Mayor Val Taylor was presented with a hand-made tea-set by Edith Fabre, Deputy Mayor of Pézenas. This can now be seen in the Town Hall. Madame Fabre thanked the Draytonians , remarking that even if the weather was chilly, this had been more than made up for by the warmth of the welcome the people from Pézenas had received. The occasion was enlivened by music from the Hales Street Stompers.
At Wednesday nights meeting of the Twinning Association, Chairman Peter Wallace thanked everyone who had helped to make the visit such a resounding success.
Next year it will be the turn of Draytonians to visit Pézenas. Anyone who might be interested in joining the Twinning Association, should contact Peter Wallace on 01630 654125.

View the Pézenas website