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| “VIVE LE JUMELAGE”
About 40 people took part in this year’s visit to Laon, which took place over the bank holiday weekend, April 30th – May 3rd. Many of us are seasoned “twinners” but this year we were joined by Kate Morgan and some of her Clifton Singers who were to entertain us on Saturday evening. It was most encouraging that several new, and younger, members had joined the Association, along with their children, and were travelling with us for the first time. Most of us travelled to Laon by coach. Leaving Winchester at 8 am on Friday morning we had a very good journey to Winchester’s twin city, where we were greeted by our French hosts. On Friday evening our Chairman, Thierry De Nitto, and some of his committee, were invited to an official dinner by the Mayor of Laon, M. Antoine Lefevre. The new Chairman of the Laon twinning committee, Roger Malhomme, and some of his committee, also attended. It was a good opportunity to get to know the French committee, who have several new members.
After the official business we were treated to a most enjoyable concert by Kate Morgan’s Clifton Singers, and by a local Laonnois choir, “La Villanelle”. An informal champagne reception followed, giving people the opportunity to mix with their friends new and old. A “bring and share” supper at the Logis Abbatiale concluded the evening. Sunday morning involved an early start as our hosts had organised a very full day for us in the beautiful city of Reims, about an hour’s drive away.
On Monday morning we said goodbye to our hosts and boarded our coach. Stopping at the Cité Europe in Calais for lunch and some last-minute shopping we arrived in Winchester at 5pm. It was truly yet another wonderful weekend. Vive le jumelage!! We are very grateful to the City of Winchester for a generous donation from their “Community Chest” which helped fund the visit.
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Saturday
was free for us to be entertained by our French hosts. In the evening an
official reception was held at the Mairie, when M. Lefevre and M. Malhomme
welcomed us to their city and exchanged gifts with our Chairman. Thierry De
Nitto replied on behalf of the Mayor of Winchester. Unfortunately no
representative from the Mayor’s office had been able to attend due to election
commitments. 
Our
first visit of the day was to the Villa Demoiselle. This beautiful villa was
built for the director of the Pommery champagne house, who wanted a house that
could be used not only as a residence but also for receptions. The villa was
designed by the Parisian architect Louis Sorel, and work began in 1908. The
villa is one of the finest examples of its type, that demonstrates the
transition between “Art Nouveau” and “Art Deco” styles. In 1970 it was sold and
exchanged hands several times, and was eventually abandoned and inhabited by
squatters who caused much damage. In 1980 it was to be demolished, but
permission was denied and the building was listed. In 2004, Paul-François
Vranken, at the time president of Vranken-Pommery, bought the villa and over the
next four years it was lovingly restored. At very great expense, and is now the
headquarters of the Vranken champagne house. At the end of our visit we were
treated to a glass of Vranken “E.O.” champagne.
Lunch
was taken at “Les Sarments” restaurant on the other side of the city. After
lunch we returned to the Pommery champagne house, actually opposite the Villa
Demoiselle, for a guided tour of the champagne cellars. We were told how
champagne is made, and walked for what seemed several kilometres through the
vaults, all named after cities, including Le Havre, Berlin and Birmingham. No
sign of Winchester though! A final glass of champagne concluded the visit.
We
returned to Laon after a short stop in the city of Reims to admire its wonderful
cathedral.