Rain 7 oC| Mon | 8 ⇒ 21 oC | » Chance of Rain « |
| Tue | 8 ⇒ 24 oC | » Clear « |
| Wed | 11 ⇒ 27 oC | » Mostly Sunny « |
Mostly Cloudy 10 oC| Mon | 8 ⇒ 16 oC | » Chance of Rain « |
| Tue | 8 ⇒ 16 oC | » Fog « |
| Wed | 11 ⇒ 20 oC | » Mostly Sunny « |
Ron enjoys chicken dinner
When visitors from Brecon’s Breton Twin Town, Gouesnou, set off for Cardiff to enjoy the Grand Slam deciding match of this year’s Six Nations’ Championship, hosts and visitors alike agreed that ultimately there would only be one winner and that was “Friendship”.
Links between the two towns are very strong with a number of reciprocal visits each year. The link for the annual Wales v France matches started in 2006. Then the just a small group arrived in Brecon for a short visit to Cardiff for the match. Gradually the group has increased in size as each year the individuals return to Gouesnou with tales of the atmosphere and camaraderie at the stadium and between friends of the two communities. This year 20 members of the Gouesnou community arrived in Brecon on the Thursday before the match.
On Friday, hosts and guests joined together for lunch at the Star Inn, Talybont. There the majority of the group enjoyed a traditional meal of Cawl while some of the local ales were sampled. During the lunch gifts were exchanged, some on the traditional side and one which was rather special but appropriate for the occasion. Philippe Le Ney, on behalf of the Breton team, presented Ron Rowsell, who represented the Welsh team, with a cockerel by the name of Paupaul. Fortunately the French cockerel, although magnificently feathered, had seen better days and remained a quiet observer of all that went on throughout the visit.
On Friday evening after some time with host families the whole group met at Brecon rugby Club where they were joined by members of Aberhonddu Male Voice Choir. The Choir will be travelling to Gouesnou and Brest in July and will be singing at events linked with the prestigious Festival of Tall Ships.
The highlight of the visit arrived on Saturday when the group, accompanied by Paupaul, left early for Cardiff. For some of the older hands they knew what to expect but for some of the new comers it was an experience not to be forgotten. Although the French team finally were defeated allowing Wales to secure the Grand Slam the celebrations were equally spread across both Welsh and Breton contingents of the party. And party it was as the celebrations continued through the evening with plenty of Celtic singing and a supply of “Eau de Vie.”
Understandably, Sunday was a little quieter. The good weather drew people out for walks in and around Brecon before the friends parted company in the afternoon with the promise of meeting again in Gouesnou on a Twinning visit in June and of a return “match” in Paris next February.
Still Time - Visit Gouesnou in 2012
At the time of writing ( March 30th) there is still time to book your trip to Gouesnou this year.
The cost has been resolved at £130 per adult plus the cost of a cabin if you want one on the boat - this will be £39. Thus for a party of 2 adults with a cabin the total cost will be £299.
Children under the age of 16 are half price and if below the age of 4 they are free.
Contact Margaret as below for further details .
We plan to leave on Saturday 2nd June during the day and return on Wednesday 6th overnight.
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Brecon 622812 or leave a message.
An early response would be appreciated please.
Gouesnou Visit to Brecon 2011This is just my impression of the visit from my little corner let us have yours and some pictures too.It would be interesting to have particularly a description of the two visits that were made. Saturday Evening
The Gouenousiennes arrived at round about the allotted time I think, maybe a little later, at the Rugby Club in Brecon for the reception that Brecon had arranged including a buffet and some drinks. As there were 73 in their party including their coach driver plus the Brecon hosts who had called to pick them up, it was quite a busy, exciting scene , almost ‘heaving’ as the Welsh say or ‘noire du monde’ as the French. As the Treasurer I was stationed at the door to collect from those of the Hosts who wanted to eat too. A very pleasant evening was had with old friends meeting up again as well as quite a few first time visitors and hosts. We met Danielle , co-incidentally the Gouesnou Treasurer, who we were to host and collecting her luggage set off for Llyswen. It is not necessary for you to live in Brecon town itself to be a member and we even have some who do not technically live the ‘old Brecknockshire county’ even, but to host you do need to be able to get your guests to Brecon each day easily.
|
Brecon – Gouesnou Twinning Association would like to specially thank
Brecon town Council for its far sighted and continuing support in difficult times.
Visit their website at www.brecontowncouncil.org.uk
