After an early start from Noyon our guests made good progress and boarded the ferry around 7.30 UK time, arriving in the early evening of Friday 6th June.

On Saturday 7th June in the morning there was an civic reception in the Winter Gardens of the Queen Elizabeth High School, courtesy of Hexham Town Council. The Mayor of Noyon, Sandrine Dauchelle, and her husband were visiting us for the first time, together with Philippe Llose, the Deputy Mayor. The Mayor of Hexham, Derek Kennedy, greeted his opposite number and all the guests. Image: the Mayor of Hexham, Derek Kennedy, with the Mayor of Noyon, Sandrine Dauchelle. 

Three songs were performed by Hexham Male Voice Choir under the musical direction of Ray Taylor, see group image. The opening number Willkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome from the film Cabaret covered three twin towns, since we are also twinned with Metzingen in Germany. The choir ended by blending into the audience for a communal rendition of 'Frère Jacques'in three-part canon!

The coach took hosts and guests to Newcastle for a guided tour of the quay area in the afternoon, starting at the Guildhall and ending in the Baltic Centre. The evening and most of Sunday were free to show people around Hexham or go farther afield.

On Sunday evening hosts and guests gathered for an formal supper in Hexham Masonic Hall. Pizza with salads for 75 people were followed by strawberries and cream. There was a presentation of gifts by the mayors and a corresponding exchange between the town twinning associations of Noyon and Hexham. An new connection was marked by the exchange of flags between Nadine Duval of Noyon Rotary and Norman Wicks of Hexham Rotary. Music was by Whinbury, followed by a play by Hexham Village Mummers and a performance by Hexham Village Clog Dancers. Hosts and guests then took to the floor themselves for several dances.

Early on Monday 9th June it was time to wave good-bye to our friends from Noyon. Now we look forward to seeing them next year in their home town! Below, Hexham Courant covered the weekend both online and in print.