Twinning and Charter of Friendship
Historic Welsh town of Llantrisant twins with the medieval French battle town of Crécy-en-Ponthieu
L to R: Ceri Harris, Llantrisant Community Council (LCC); Geraint Hughes. Twinning Committee & Vice President Llantrisant Male Choir (LMC); Veronica Nicholas, LCC; Alan Matheson, Chairman LCC; David Nicholas, LCC; Alison Jenkins, Clerk to the LCC; Ted Tidman, Chairman LMC & Twinning Committee.
“Decisions of importance are often the result of a chat over a pint of beer!”
Geraint Hughes
Vice President and Trustee
How it all began …
It was back in 2012 and Llantrisant Male Voice Choir were looking for a venue for their annual overseas tour. I was approached by Ted Tidman and he asked me for any ideas I might have for a tour to France. Having connections in the Picardy area and aware of the long-standing history between the Black Army and the people of Crécy-en-Ponthieu, I suggested that a week-end in northern France could be a possibility.
After much deliberation and organisation on both sides of the Channel, two concerts were arranged – one in the town of Abbeville and the other in Crécy itself. The choir excelled with two outstanding performances that were much appreciated by the respective audiences.
Staying in this part of France offered choir members an opportunity to visit the battle-fields of the 1914-18 Great War in Flanders. The most moving moment was at the monument to the fallen 4000 Welsh soldiers killed at Mametz Wood on the Somme. A wreath was laid at the monument to the ethereal strains of O Iesu Mawr, rho,d’anian bur’ and a full, hearty rendition of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. Goose-pimple stuff indeed!
During the visit the idea of twinning the two towns was mooted and the idea received support from both parties. On 1st March 2015 a delegation from Crécy arrived in Llantrisant to sign a Charter of Friendship between the two towns. Celebrations to mark the signing were organised and the choir featured prominently throughout the weekend.
There have been several reciprocal visits in the last few years in the hope of nurturing a lasting relationship between the two communities. Llantrisant Male Voice Choir has played a significant part in creating this bond.
The choir is steeped in the tradition of 130 years of music making by the men of Llantrisant. And to this day that Welsh tradition is at the heart of all that they do. One cannot but amaze at the enthusiasm, commitment, energy, camaraderie and no small musical talent that is the hallmark of Llantrisant Male Voice Choir today.
They are brilliantly led by the exuberant and talented musical director Matthew Nash and all held together by solid and unflappable hand of their industrious chairman Ted Tidman.
I’m not sure who paid for that initial pint in the Cross Inn which instigated all these comings and goings, but I am, along with our French friends, immensely grateful to Ted for opening our eyes and ears to the wonderful talent of this group of men!
During the visit, the idea of twinning the two towns was mooted and the idea received support from both parties. On 1st March 2015 a delegation from Crécy arrived in Llantrisant to sign a Charter of Friendship between the two towns. Celebrations to mark the signing were organised and the choir featured prominently throughout the weekend.
There have been several reciprocal visits in the last few years in the hope of nurturing a lasting relationship between the two communities and Llantrisant Male Voice Choir has played a significant part in creating this bond.
The choir is steeped in the tradition of 130 years of music making by the men of Llantrisant. That Welsh tradition is at the heart of all that they do to this day. One cannot but amaze at the enthusiasm, commitment, energy, camaraderie and no small musical talent that is the hallmark of Llantrisant Male Voice Choir today.
They are brilliantly led by the exuberant and talented musical director Matthew Nash and all held together by solid and unflappable hand of their industrious chairman Ted Tidman.
I’m not sure who paid for that initial pint in the Cross Inn which instigated all these comings and goings, but I am, along with our French friends, immensely grateful to Ted for opening our eyes and ears to the wonderful talent of this group of men!
Our first official visit to Crécy-en-Ponthieu, France
In 2013 the choir visited Abbeville and Crécy-en-Ponthieu to forge friendship between the towns of Llantrisant and Crécy and as a result of this long-standing connection between the towns, our Chairman, Ted Tidman, supported by our Vice President, Geraint Hughes and the Llantrisant Community Council instigated a ‘Friendship Agreement’ with a charter signed in the Llantrisant Guild Hall on 1st March 2015. Since then regular formal exchange visits have been undertaken spearheaded by the choir.
Presentation of the Council Medallion
Reges Lecuyer, Mayor of Crécy presenting the Medallion to Ted Tidman at the Crécy-en-Ponthieu Village Hall. This was the first step taken towards the formal Friendship Agreement signed in 2015. The bronze medallion, made by the council is presented to official visitors.
(L to R) Choristers Paul Cook, David Pearce, David Jones, Alan Jones & Karl Lampka raising a celebratory glass to toast the successful concert performance for the Crécy Council Reception.
Concert at Crécy-en-Ponthieu Church to celebrate the 1st official visit of a Llantrisant based organisation since 1346
Mametz Wood, Northern France
The Welsh Dragon Memorial, erected in 1987 commemorates the first Battle of the Somme in 1916 and the engagement of the 38th (Welsh) Division of the British Fourth Army.
Historic event seals the bond between Llantrisant and the northern French town of Crécy-en-Ponthieu
Llantrisant Community Council with the support of Llantrisant Male Choir and Llantrisant Town Trust have officially twinned with Crecy en Ponthieu in northern France.
A declaration of friendship was signed on St David’s Day, Sunday 1st March 2015 to officially mark the twinning of historic Llantrisant town and the French community of Crecy en Ponthieu. The mayor of Crecy-en-Ponthieu Gerard Lheureux and the chairwoman of Llantrisant Community Council Councillor Veronica Nicholas signed the declaration symbolising harmony and friendship, in the medieval Guildhall, Llantrisant.
More than 100 residents, business people and representatives of organisations witnessed the historic event as the charter was signed on the table alongside Llantrisant’s famous silver mace from 1633, older than the one used in the House of Commons.
Historian Dean Powell hosted the event with speeches by Llantrisant Town Trustee Martin Hooker, organiser Geraint Hughes and Councillor Allan Matheson. Young harpist Teilo Evans also performed a selection of Welsh airs.
March 2015
Signing of the Declaration of Friendship
The Guildhall, Llantrisant.
Le Maire, Gerard Lheureux with Cllr Veronica Nicholas, Chairperson of Llantrisant Community Council
August 2016
Signing of the Friendship Agreement at Crécy-en-Ponthieu, France.
By Le Maire, Gerard Lheureux and the Chairperson of Llantrisant Community Council, Cllr Alan Matheson
March 2015
Crécy Men at Arms at The Guildhall, Llantrisant.
(L to R) Frank Boucher Dept. Maire, Michelle Klapsia Crécy CC, Gerard Lheureux Le Maire Crécy CC, Reme Rousell Crécy Twinning, Joel Lefebure Crécy CC
A weekend of celebrations in Llantrisant to mark this historic occasion
Crécy delegation sing the La Marseillaise lead by VP Geraint Hughes at the Llantrisant Workingman’s Club, Llantrisant
Martin Williams, publican of the Cross Inn village pub, Llantrisant, preparing to welcome our Crécy visitors March 2015
Exhibition at the Musée de Crécy-en-Ponthieu, France
The Battle of Crécy, was an important English victory during The Hundred Years’ War. It was said that the Welsh longbowmen, under the command of Edward the Black Prince (created Prince of Wales in 1343) had played a pivotal role in acheiving this.
