On 23rd June 1957 Bridgwater Mayor Oscar Coates signed the Twinning agreement in La Ciotat with the French Mayor Jean Graille. 60 years later a group of Bridgwater La Ciotat Friendship Society members, Town Councillors and the Mayor of Bridgwater, Graham Granter, visited the French town to re-sign a document committing them to future links.
To find the history of the link click here.
Travellers;- Cllr Graham Granter (Mayor of Bridgwater), Mrs Kay Granter (Mayoress) Cllr Derek Alder and Mrs Doreen Alder (student exchange organisers 1975-2005) Cllr Brian Smedley (Leader of Bridgwater Town Council and present day organiser of Bridgwater La Ciotat projects) Cllr Leigh Redman (former Mayor of Bridgwater) + Mrs Tracey Redman Mr Keith Giles, Diana Giles and Hayley Giles (La Ciotat Friendship Society members)
Thursday 22 June ;-
Bristol airport 0740 Easyjet flight EZY6107 to Marseille.
Flight arrives Marseilles 1035.
Transfer to La Ciotat by vehicles provided by La Ciotat.
Accommodation Hotel Rose Thé, 4, Boulevard Beaurivage 13 600 La Ciotat
Dinner at a nearby cafe
Free time.
1900 welcome and dinner at ‘Maison du Jumelage’
Friday 23 June ;-
Breakfast
free morning
1130 quick lunch at Rose The
1430 official ceremony of re-signing the treaty of friendship and exchange of gifts.
1900 evening event celebrating the anniversary
Saturday 24 June
Breakfast
1045 boat trip around the cliffs, Ile Vert and harbour
dinner in the city
1700 re-marriage ceremony for Doreen and Derek at the Mairie
1830 anniversary celebrations for the re-marriage
Evening event at the Bastide Marin
Sunday 25 June
Breakfast
1000 Brunch at the home of Nathalie MacAndrew
1200 transfer to Nice Airport by 1425
for 1625 departure to Bristol Easyjet EZY6114 arrive Bristol 1735