VISIT TO ANGERS, 20TH-27TH AUGUST

by Agnes Walker, Sunday, 7th September 2008

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Wigan's twinning with Angers (in the Loire valley of N.W. France) the Wigan Town Twinning Association arranged for a trip for around 250 people to visit the French city. Many organisations were represented in the 5 coaches which travelled to France for the momentous occasion. Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra, Parkside male Voice Choir. Over 50's Forum, Wigan Youth brass Band, Anvil Street Drummers and Moco (an instrumental group) - to mention but a few; and of course The Thistle Society of Wigan.

This is an account of the Thistle Society's exploits while in France. There were 26 of us in the party. Tom Mullen ably played the drums and the bagpipes. Brian Lightowler was our accomplished accordionist.

On the Wednesday we'd a good journey down to Folkstone, and we travelled via the Channel Tunnel to Calais. Our overnight stop was just outside Rouen. We'd an evening meal at our hotel, and encountered our first taste of the French cuisine and wine that were to delight us for the duration of the holiday.

After a superb breakfast on Thursday we drove to an hotel on the outskirts of Angers. In the evening the groups were congregated at the nearby school for a welcoming ceremony. There were speeches from local dignitaries and we'd aperitifs and then a buffet meal followed. Our piper performed and so did some of our Highland Dancers. We got a free table mat to commemorate the occasion.

Friday was our first full day in Angers. We walked to the Town hall for the official welcome. The deputy mayor spoke to us, and drinks and nibbles were provided. We were given a free blue and white engraved beaker as a souvenir of our Twinning visit.

In the afternoon our Scottish Country dancers performed at Espace Welcome. The weather was good for the dancing in the square. Also our Highland dancers performed between the set dances. Kathy Willitts, our translator, explained the dances to the assembled crowds. At the end of the display we did "Dashing White Sergeant" and got up some of the audience to join in. In the evening we drove to a fascinating place quite a ride out from Angers. The restaurant that we visited was in the bowels of the earth (Troglodyte connections). We'd several course to eat, plus the obligatory wine. It was a memorable, unique experience.

Saturday dawned bright and clear. In the morning we performed in the garden opposite the Town Hall. The audience were riveted by the Scottish Country dances performed and the Highland dancing not to mention stunning notes of our musicians. One of the dances was entitled "Away to the Hills". It was a dance devised by our very own Margaret Rowe. The dance was written to honour the memory of the late Donald Merchant. He was a greatly respected and stalwart member of the Thistle Society. Also, he was a member of the Town Twinning Association, and had visited Angers several times. Again we'd audience participation in the dancing of "Dashing White Sergeant".

In the afternoon we performed at a major concert in another part of the park. All the Wigan performers took part in this massive display, and each had their allocated slot in the varied programme. La Brise d'Anjou, a group of French dancers who the Thistle Society is twinned also performed. Afterwards we walked to their Headquarters for drinks and nibbles. The group speaks little English, and Kathy our translator was kept busy as they renewed acquaintance with their Wigan friends. Actually their officials were most insistent that our society join them at the end of September for their 50th anniversary. Several of our members are hoping to attend the celebrations, and to do dancing displays, etc. with them, and also with other dancing groups that they are associated with.

Sunday morning was free. Some of us attended mass at the magnificent St Maurice Cathedral, which together with the charming Chateau is one of the main landmarks of the city. In the afternoon we went to the public park of Lac du Maine for what should have been an alfresco buffet. As it was raining we ate inside. Our ardour wasn't dampened and we enjoyed the camaraderie. However it cleared and we were able to enjoy walking in the extensive grounds.

In the evening we went to the medieval Greniers Saint-Jean. The place had been a salt store in the 12th century. It had great character and was an ideal venue for all the groups plus the Angers Twinning group to congregate. An interesting film was shown depicting various scenes of Wigan and District and of Angers. The buffet provided was excellent. Our dancers weren't supposed to perform at this event, but an official requested it. Then some impromptu dancing ensued. Tom and Brian quickly got their instruments from the coach and gave a peak performance. The translating talents of Kathy were again brought to the fore as she explained to the large audience the significance of the dance "Salut Angers". The dance was devised some years ago (again by Margaret Rowe) points a striking picture of the rapport between the Thistle Society and la Brise d'Anjou.

On Monday morning we left Angers and made our way back to Rouen. We'd quite a few hours to spend in this fascinating city, and the weather was good too. Of course it is famous for being the place where Joan of Arc was burnt. Many folk took a ride on the tourist train and relaxed while savouring the historic sights and sites. The Cathedral, the grand Town Hall and the famous Gros Horologe (big clock) with its famous single hand are among the tourist attractions. We went to our hotel in Rouen after a long and full day. Suddenly, we'd come to the end of our Twinning visit, but what an unforgettable experience.

The Twinning Association of both Wigan and Angers had worked so hard to arrange a suitable itinerary for us. As had the leaders of the various groups who travelled to perform in Angers.

The Thistle Society were delighted to have received a grant from A4A Lottery Fund for this project and are grateful to the ATA and OCIA for all their hard work in organising the whole event.