A 57-YEAR-OLD union was praised as Weymouth and Portland welcomed visitors from its twin town of Louviers.

Mayor of Louviers Francois-Xavier Priollaud was unable to travel with the 45-strong French delegation so Councillor Christian Wuilque, spokesman for international relations, led the visit.

Talking at a civic reception he said: “Our twinning and exchanges with Weymouth have thrived since 1958 – it still has relevance and great value 57 years later in the present day.”

He was responding to the welcome expressed by Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Christine James, who noted that 1958 was the year she was born.

She added: “I know many friendships will be reaffirmed tonight and probably a few more made. I congratulate members of the Louviers Society on their successful and lengthy relationship. I am looking forward to visiting Louviers in September.”

Cath Irving, chairman of the Weymouth twinning committee, spoke of widening exchanges, including the visit of a group of Louviers musicians in the future.

“We welcome the exchange of any group with interests in common,” she said.

Jacqueline Hamon, chairman of the Louviers twinning committee, thanked their English hosts for their warm welcome, saying: “We are pleased to be among this celebration between English and French friends." We will look forward to welcoming you to Louviers in September.”

The civic reception and twinning dinner was held at St Aldhelm’s Church hall, attended by about 100 French and English twinners. After dinner, WOW Musical Theatre’s cabaret troupe gave a rousing rendition of Beatles songs and got a standing ovation.

The menu included Dorset produce, with a choice between steak and ale pie and pork with cider and apricots as the main course. Dorset cheese and biscuits headed the dessert menu, while together with banoffi pie or lemon & raspberry meringue. dinner began with smoked haddock mousse served with Dorset bread and butter. The next day Lord Digby welcomed the party to Minterne House.

where he explained the history of the Churchill and Digby families, who had lived in the house. Lord Digby diplomatically said little about the massive painting of the Battle of Trafalgar in the hall, depicting his ancestor Captain Sir Henry Digby in HMS Africa, who had helped defeat the French navy in 1805. A superb English high tea was served in the Dining Room- plans to serve tea on the lawn being abandoned due to light rain. Lord Digby circulated among the French and English delegation, shaking many hands.

The twinning link between Weymouth and Louviers began in 1958, 57 years ago. Louviers is in Normandy, 22 miles south of Rouen. The reciprocal visit to Louviers begins on 2 September.