11th - 15th April 2025:
Bienvenue aux Amis de Buxton
Amis and friends catching up at the Welcome Reception in the Buxton Pump Room.
On Friday evening, 11th April our friends from Oignies arrived outside The Buxton Pump Room, where we held our Welcome Reception for this year's visit. It is always so lovely to see everyone, but very sad that some of our friends were unable to be with us this year.
Dominic Elliott-Starkey, deputy mayor and Councillor Jean Wharmby were there to represent the High Peak Borough Council. Dom valiantly and brilliantly gave his welcome speech in both French and English. We were very proud of you! We ate, drank, renewed friendships and made our way home; ready for a weekend of remembrance, fun and friendship.
After a short joint committee meeting at The Palace on Saturday morning, (many thanks to Sarah Shilcock, senior events director at The Palace) the ceremony on the slopes and at the Cenotaph was poignant. The sun shone and Fairfield Band played brilliantly. Fiona Sloman spoke some thoughtful words and a wreath was laid by High Peak mayor, Stewart Gardner and Maire de Oignies, Fabienne Dupuis. Lilly and Jack Flanagan laid the wreath for The Friends of Oignies. If I may say - So well done children!
Mayor Stewart Gardner and his wife Melissa representing Buxton with Mme. le Maire Fabienne Dupuis and M. Patrick Callot representing Oignies.
Lilly and Jack lay the Wreath of Commemoration at the baseof the Memorial.
Kim and Gareth, playing the Last Post
We returned to The Palace for a lunchtime of fabulous beer expertly brewed by our very own Chris Clegg and Peter Doyle and a buffet lunch. There followed the games. The Albert Boitrel trophy went back to France. The French claimed it back by only a small margin this year. Many thanks to Chris, Peter, and also to Jek and Sue for their expertise in organising the games.
The battle is joined for le Trophée Albert Boitrel
Our evening dinner dance was held, again at The Palace. A Scottish theme gave me the opportunity to play to a captive audience. My bagpipe playing was spirited and rousing. Not perfect, but really not as bad as it could have been!
Speeches were given, (Dom again splendidly trying out his French), presents exchanged and Northern Ceilidh and Joyce the caller managed to get us all dancing in some sort of order. It was a brilliant evening and I do hope that everyone enjoyed themselves.
A free day on Sunday gave us the opportunity to have a welcome to new members barbecue chez nous. A lovely convivial afternoon and evening for 50.
We all enjoyed our trip to Chester. Despite the Cathedral serving us the worst meal ever! we had a lovely afternoon walking round the walls, visiting the museum and shopping. The Cheshire Cheese pub was the venue for an evening drink before an early departure back to Oignies on Tuesday morning.
Thank you everyone: Les Amis de Buxton and The friends of Oignies for an amazing weekend. For making my first year as the boss both memorable and wonderful. Many, many thanks to all of you.
Vive le Jumelage!
Bisous, Helen
