Radlett celebrates Silver Anniversary for French twinning

Last weekend (23 to 25 October) Radlett welcomed 28 visitors from its French twin town, Louveciennes, including their Mayor, André Vanhollebeke to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of their twinning partnership. The Chairman of Radlett's German twinning partners in Lautertal also joined the celebrations. During a busy few days the visitors toured Bhaktivedanta Manor and Aldenham Church, attended a reception hosted by Aldenham Parish Council at the Radlett Centre and held a Silver Anniversary Dinner at Porters Park Golf Club. A highlight of the visit was the re-dedication of a lime tree planted on Aldenham Green in 1983 at the time of the original twinning and which is now one of the largest trees on the Green.

Clive Glover, Chairman of RAIFA, said that the visit was a tremendous success, reflecting the continuing support for twinning in the two communities. “Over the 25 years there have been around 80 official exchanges between Aldenham and Louvciennes, as well as many informal exchanges, particularly between families who have become firm friends over the years. It was especially nice that a number of the people involved in the original twinning arrangements 25 years ago took part in this visit, but it was also clear that a new generation of families are now taking over. We are planning more exchanges involving families with school-age children as these have proved very popular.”

Bhakdavidanta Manor, Letchmore Heath

Departure from Radlett

Fete des Fleurs 2008

Each year we send a teenage girl from Radlett to be a Maid of Honour at the Fete des Fleurs (Flower Festival) in Louveciennes. This year our representative was Berri Sandford who wrote this account of her experiences:

On September 20th I travelled to Louveciennes to take part in the Fête des Fleurs.I was very excited to be representing Radlett as a princess on one of the floats. Once we arrived I was taken off to try on my costume and meet the other princesses.These were a French girl from the village, German and Romanian girls who were also from twinned towns like me. When I first saw the float I was astonished to find that it was all made out of fresh flower heads and was a mermaid design.

The Saturday night was amazing we sat on the float and were paraded around the village followed by the local people who were carrying lanterns. At the end of the parade the whole village descended upon the local sports ground to watch a spectacular firework display.

The next day I was looking forward to doing the day time parade. I was made to feel very special and was taken to the Marie (Town Hall) for lunch first with the other girls. After we were shown to our float again but this time we were given 2 big bin bags of confetti. It was a lovely sunny day and it seemed like the whole town had turned up. The parade was made up of 2 bands and 8 floats plus people dressed up walking. It was traditional for us to throw confetti at the passing crowds but in return we got sprayed with ‘silly string’ and covered in confetti! It was so much fun.

It was upsetting giving my costume back and having to say bye to all the other princesses but I was so glad to have taken part in such a memorable experience.