France/ Why is the twinning committee linking Loire-Atlantique and England coming to an end after 50 years?
After half a century of exchanges, the Vallet-Alcester twinning committee will cease operations by the end of 2026. Here are the details.
It's a decision taken by mutual agreement between the French and British, in a climate of serenity, but which nevertheless marks the end of a human adventure deeply rooted in the memories of its members. In Vallet, the Loire-Atlantique twinned town, the emotion is palpable among those who have supported the twinning for years. For beyond the trips and events, it is above all a story of encounters, friendship and loyalty that is coming to an end.
After half a century of exchanges, the Vallet-Alcester twinning committee will cease its activities by the end of the year.
Couples, meetings, memories
We're happy to have experienced everything we have. We're lucky. We have no regrets about what we've been through.
Béatrice Gaborit, committee vice-president
The volunteers have seen several generations come and go, supporting school, sports and cultural exchanges, and forging strong links between the two communities over the years.
Two couples have even formed thanks to this twinning.
Yet the committee had managed to adapt to the changing times.
or a long time, its activities were based on a high level of collective energy: organization of trips, English courses, participation in local events, autonomous management thanks to income from its activities. But time has taken its toll.
Also Brexit and Covid
Older members are getting older, there's less and less energy, and "renewal is becoming difficult".
Added to this, the Brexit and Covid have further weakened exchanges.
Travel formalities have become more complex, costs have risen, and the spontaneous impetus of the early days has run out of steam.
But for a long time, twinning remained true to its raison d'être: to open up horizons, to introduce people to another culture, to encourage them to speak a foreign language and to cross the Channel in ways other than through school textbooks.
An emotional anniversary trip
Today, although the association is preparing to close, its members refuse to talk of a break-up.
The twinning, they say, will survive in other ways, through personal relationships, shared memories and perhaps new initiatives. "It's been a wonderful time meeting great people," says Béatrice Gaborit. And Daniel Hervouet, a member of the bureau for 37 years, adds:
It makes us less grumpy, because when we go abroad, we realize that it's not any greener.
Daniel Hervouet, committee member
The ties we forge don't disappear with a general meeting: they continue through friendships, informal exchanges, and the desire to start afresh one day.
The disappearance of the committee leaves a void, but it also says something about the times.
Ways of meeting people have changed.
Young people are traveling more on their own, communicating constantly and using other networks.
What remains to be done is to invent new frameworks to maintain the most precious aspects of twinning: curiosity about others, the pleasure of being welcomed and the desire to share much more than a simple stay.
An emotional anniversary trip
The Vallet-Alcester Twinning Committee is therefore preparing to turn the page with dignity and without bitterness.
An important page, full of memories, commitment and friendship.
And while the association may have disappeared, the spirit of encounter may yet find new paths.
Another highlight for the committee was its latest trip, from May 13 to 17, to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
The trip took on a very special dimension, both festive and moving, as it served as a reminder of how far the association has come since its creation, and of the importance of the links forged over the decades.
The 24 participants were able to celebrate the committee's 50th anniversary while shedding a few tears, and say goodbye, but not farewell, to their friends in Albion. Bye-bye, Alcester!
Source: actu.fr/pays-de-la-loire/
