International link with French town continues

International link with French town continues

8 February 2023

THE hugely successful twinning arrangement between the leafy French suburb of Lamorlaye just north of Paris and Ballynahinch is to be expanded.

A formal international link was signed 25 years ago and strong connections have been established between both regions and there have been countless exchange visits.

Last October, the international partnership was copper-fastened during a visit by a local delegation from the Rowallane and Slieve Croob Community Twinning Group to Lamorlaye, with plans unveiled to explore how shops and businesses in both regions can work together to cement the indelible link between them. 

Links between Spa and Lamorlaye golf clubs are also being explored, with the recent visit described by twinning group officials as “very worthwhile” and one that will hopefully boost tourism and business in the area. 

“This could be the beginning of an amazing partnership. The contacts and connections made between both businesses locally and businesses in the Chantilly/Lamorlaye region will prove invaluable going forward,” said group spokeswoman.

Last October, the twinning group organised a cultural, tourism and business visit to Lamorlaye which included representatives from a number of local businesses.

They included the Millbrook Lodge Hotel,  Montalto Estate, Finnebrogue Woods, the Kingfisher Gallery, Newcastle Coach Hire, Primrose Bar and Restaurant, Spa Golf Club, Downpatrick Racecourse, Lecale Harvest and the White Water Brewing Company.

Senior officials from Newry, Mourne and Down Council were also part of the delegation.

Downpatrick Racecourse — the oldest in Ireland — is hoping to include Chantilly and Lamorlaye in its reciprocal badge holders exchange and has offered to host a French delegation at a racing fixture later this year, while the WhiteWater Brewing Company is investigating a possible trading relationship with a brewer from Lithuania.

Newcastle Coach Hire has identified the opportunity to run organised trips to the Lamorlaye/Chantilly region and further afield in France. The twinning group has presented what has been described as an “innovative” five-year plan to the local authority which aims to develop cultural links and connections, tourism and trade potential in the agri, equine, speciality food, beverages, sports and arts sector.

The international partnership programme aims to enhance educational links to enable school exchanges, skill transfer links and work exchange placements for students. 

Twinning group members said the partnership also encourages a closer collaboration between local authority members in Lamorlaye and Newry, Mourne and Down, whereby best practice can be shared, and closer international relationships forged. 

The relationship between Lamorlaye and the Ballynahinch, Drumaness and Spa areas, has not only stood the test of time, but survived Brexit, Covid and political, economic change.

It was recently agreed between the Comite de Jumelage de Lamorlaye — the local authority in the French town — the Rowallane and Slieve Croob Community Twinning Group and Newry, Mourne and Down Council, to mark the 25th twinning anniversary and reconfirm the aims and objectives of the international partnership agreement.

Lamorlaye is situated in an important strategic location and in addition to being north of Paris, is within distance of Charles de Gaulle Airport which offers direct flights to Belfast with Easyjet. 

Twinning group officials say participants in the international partnership visit were carefully selected to form a “collaborative, representative group” which would reflect the cultural, tourism and trade potential of the Rowallane and Slieve Croob areas. 

The aims of the visit were to renew friendships and to provide introductions, to review the twining charter from 1997/1998 and agree on  complementary objectives to form the focus of the international partnership going forward. 

Other key aims included meeting the individual objectives of the participating companies, creating opportunities for networking between the twinning group and local council and explore the potential of creating up to five-day coach trips between Lamorlaye and the Rowallane and Slieve Croob area and northern and southern Ireland. 

During the October visit, the delegation had an opportunity to meet with members of the twinning committee in Lamorlaye along with the mayor, deputy mayor and some staff from the local authority, who have offered to provide support and possible connections, in tandem with ongoing support for the businesses involved in the visit. 

The delegation’s visit started with a tour of Lamorlaye town centre, which included civic amenities such as the festival hall, library, council chamber and visits to businesses which supply the equine sector as one of the key reasons for establishing the twinning link was the importance of the equine and equestrian sectors. 

The delegation learnt about social provision in Lamorlaye and visit a residential home for the elderly, with golf professional Patrick Cross welcoming visitors to an exclusive golf resort and also delivered a lesson to those interested, before conducting a guided tour of the impressive leisure facility. 

The local council hosted lunch at the golf club and it was here that the document with the complementary objectives for the twinning charter was signed before delegation and golf club members and guests were treated to a medley of Scottish and Irish dance.

Over the four days, the delegation visited the international Food and Beverage trade fair at Villepinte which was an opportunity to view the latest trends in the hospitality sector and meet with possible customers and suppliers.

A boat trip on the Siene was followed by dinner in a typical Parisian Brasserie and during the trip, a selection of local restaurants were chosen to showcase the hospitality sector in Lamorlaye, Gouvieux and Paris. 

A visit was also organised to Lamorlaye’s stunning chateau and old town and an ancient wine cellar and vineyard which provides the grapes for the locally produced wine. 

Before the short journey to Charles de Gaulle airport, the visiting delegation was treated to a local children’s pony race just outside the town, near the sports stadium and there was a visit to the chateau of Lamorlaye and park.

The visit was very well received, with connections formed between the participating companies, the French hosts and guests from Newry, Mourne and Down. And it’s hoped that the network will be expanded when a delegation from Lamorlaye visit Newry, Mourne and Down in June and September.