In
June 2000 a group of adult students from Annonay learning English
paid a private visit to Chelmsford but with some liaison with the
TOWN TWINNING ASSOCIATION. A chance conversation meant the knowledge
that two of the French visitors, (Max and Nicole) were interested
in Folk Dance, as was Janet, one of the TOWN TWINNING ASSOCIATION,
so our first link was forged. June 2001 gave a further chance, when
Janet was to visit Annonay and was welcomed for a day with Max and
Nicole, knowing then that Nicole was president of the Folk Dance
Group, Les Pas Perdus (Lost Steps) from Vernosc les Annonay, a village
some miles outside Annonay. During the following months, correspondence
continued, and in May 2002 Chelmsford folk Dancers were able to
welcome fourteen members of LES PAS PERDUS in Chelmsford for participation
in the Cathedral Festival, and a Playford (18th Century Period)
Ball in the Shire Hall as well as seeing something of our town and
country with the host families.
In June 2003, 12 Chelmsford Dancers, 2 musicians and other members
and partners travelled to France to be met at St. Etienne airport
with cars to take us to Vernosc Les Annonay. In a lovely region
of the Rhone valley. After a Welcome" reception we were taken to
the homes of our host families, some with those who last year had
been guests, others not. Some spoke some French or hosts spoke some
English, while others found communication was more than just language!
The next day, many went, again in a convoy of cars to the mountain
village of St. Symphorie de Mahun, with steeply terraced houses,
a simple but lovely church to visit, and then across the valley
to the 12th century Priory of Veyrines. Before a typical Ardechois
meal. Others spent the morning with their hosts as wished. That
evening we all met at the Mairie in Vernosc to be welcomed by the
Mayor, were shown the new Central Library for the Department of
Ardeche, only opened earlier this year to service all the town village
and mobile libraries of the region, not for public borrowing, but
also an archive for Ardeche. Back then to the Mairie for an aperitif
before going to a buffet, then an informal dance joining together
in dances from both groups, but CHELMSFORD FOLK DANCERS also learning
dances to perform with LES PAS PERDUS.
Saturday was the opening of one of Annonay's main festivals, celebrating
the anniversary on 4th June 1783 of the Montgolfier brothers first
balloon flight. Hot air balloons take advantage of early morning
and evening when conditions are best. So 6 am was the time to be
at the Parc Deomas for the launch. I'm told 54 balloons in all took
off, where I stayed was under the flight path for many, so we woke
to a spectacular sky of with maybe 20 in view at once and so lots
of photos, including Chelmsford's balloon. That morning hosts and
guest went as wished, many visiting the historic old town of Annonay,
before a picnic by a dammed lake, which provides water to be purified
for the Annonay basin. Attempts to play Boules/Petanque gave lots
of laughter if little expertise on our part.
Then
the two groups were to dance at the evening opening of the Festival,
in Annonay each group alone, then finishing together. Sadly the
weather then had changed, two balloons were briefly inflated, but
wind was too strong. They were packed, all others remained packed!!
Our evening combined into Sunday morning when after
a supper together we joined in a public Folk Ball with a local group
playing. On Sunday, a morning re-enactment of the first Balloon
ascent takes place in the main square.
Balloon teams all take part wearing costumes of two centuries ago,
processing into the square to line inside the barrier rails. Members
of the Montgolfier family pull the cart with the packaged balloon,
and though our costumes LES PAS PERDUS peasant version and our Victorian
peasant everyday style were much later, wee were privileged to follow
this procession. With wind on the day, the balloon, made of paper
duly reinforced and now much patched inflated to some extent, ropes
were held to control its shape and position and straw was lit below
the envelope to complete the inflation for a tethered lift to roof
height and the tall buildings round the square. We were then to
dance again in a smaller square against the walls of the old town
before returning with hosts to Vernosc for a village "fete", the
occasion of one of a series of "pedal car races" leading eventually
to a national championship.
Not a grand prix event, but four hours of pedalling homemade vehicles
- one young lady going alone for four hours, but most changing drivers.
After presentation of awards for this, once again our dancers gave
displays before most of us gathered on the terrace of Max and Nicole's
home for a picnic, and an evening to unwind after hectic days. A
final night with our hosts, no plans for Monday morning, but nice
to relax before a final gathering and goodbyes, convoy of cars needed
for the return to St. Etienne airport en route for Stanstead and
home.
Anyone who knew little of the Twinning prior to this experience
really had a chance to know the joy and sharing cultures "improving
an entente cordiale" and making lasting friendships in a way which
cannot be equalled. SUN and SCENERY.
