After an early departure by coach from Hexham, we had plenty of time for the channel crossing. Soon we were with our hosts in Picardy. On the Saturday morning in the town hall of Noyon, members of the association met their French opposite numbers. Our Chair, Marianne Corder, gave her first address in this role. The Mayors of Noyon and Hexham were present, with music provided by members of Hexham Village Band. The Mayor of Noyon, Sandrine Dauchelle, and the Mayor of Hexham, Derek Kennedy, together planted two gingko trees today, marking thirty years of our towns' twinning. (The image on the right shows the civic reception in Noyon on the Saturday. Image © G. Parkinson).
On Sunday there was a visit to Saint-Quentin, the capital of Upper Picardy, which has a fine range of architecture, ranging from Gothic to Neo-Classical, through Art Deco. Saint-Quentin Town Hall, whose superb Gothic-style façade overlooks the main square, is adorned with 173 finely hewn sculptures illustrating scenes from the life of the town. After that there was a visit to the 'Museum of Yesteryear', with something of interest for everyone. On the Sunday, our final evening, the Noyon hosts organised a supper and ceilidh in the Théâtre du Chevalet with two live bands, one of which included players from the Hexham Village Band.
Those taking part in our first visit since the pandemic described it as a wonderful weekend, with some regret on leaving Noyon early on Monday morning. Members are looking forward to when friends from Noyon come to Hexham next year.
Click on any of the thumbnails below for a larger image and further information.
-
At the civic reception in Noyon on the Saturday. Image © G. Parkinson
![270822 cgparkinson orig]( "270822 cgparkinson orig")
At the civic reception in Noyon on the Saturday. Image © G. Parkinson
-
In the Museum of Yesteryear in Saint-Quentin. Image © C. Booth
![280822musofyesteryear ccbooth]( "280822musofyesteryear ccbooth")
In the Museum of Yesteryear in Saint-Quentin. Image © C. Booth
-
Inside the Basilica of Saint-Quentin. Image © M. Corder
![basilicaofsaintquentinchurch cmcorder]( "basilicaofsaintquentinchurch cmcorder")
Inside the Basilica of Saint-Quentin. Image © M. Corder
-
Member of Noyon's twinning committee spoke at the civic reception. Image © P. Giddings
![frenchcommembers270822 cpgiddings orig]( "frenchcommembers270822 cpgiddings orig")
Member of Noyon's twinning committee spoke at the civic reception. Image © P. Giddings
-
Young man at the supper and ceilidh on the Sunday evening. Image courtesy of the Ville De Noyon
![fromvilledenoyon facebook orig]( "fromvilledenoyon facebook orig")
Young man at the supper and ceilidh on the Sunday evening. Image courtesy of the Ville De Noyon
-
Anglo-French table decoration at the supper and ceilidh. Image courtesy of the Ville De Noyon
![fromvilledenoyon facebook3]( "fromvilledenoyon facebook3")
Anglo-French table decoration at the supper and ceilidh. Image courtesy of the Ville De Noyon
-
Supper and ceilidh in the Théâtre du Chevalet with two live bands, organised by our French hosts. Image courtesy of the Ville de Noyon
![fromvilledenoyon facebook5 orig]( "fromvilledenoyon facebook5 orig")
Supper and ceilidh in the Théâtre du Chevalet with two live bands, organised by our French hosts. Image courtesy of the Ville de Noyon
-
Young members of Hexham Town Twinning making friends and having fun in the games room of the 'Village of Yesteryear' Museum in Saint-Quentin. Image © M. Corder
![htta noyonphoto1 image m corder orig]( "htta noyonphoto1 image m corder orig")
Young members of Hexham Town Twinning making friends and having fun in the games room of the 'Village of Yesteryear' Museum in Saint-Quentin. Image © M. Corder
-
The Mayor of Noyon, Sandrine Dauchelle, and the Mayor of Hexham, Derek Kennedy, together planted two gingko trees in the company of HTTA member. Image © J. Lambert
![httanoyonphoto2 image jan lambert orig]( "httanoyonphoto2 image jan lambert orig")
The Mayor of Noyon, Sandrine Dauchelle, and the Mayor of Hexham, Derek Kennedy, together planted two gingko trees in the company of HTTA member. Image © J. Lambert
-
Music at the civic reception was provided by members of Hexham Village Band. Image © C. Booth
![httanoyonphoto3 ccbooth orig]( "httanoyonphoto3 ccbooth orig")
Music at the civic reception was provided by members of Hexham Village Band. Image © C. Booth
-
Our Chair, Marianne Corder, gave her first address in the role. Image © C. Booth
![mcorderinnoyon ccbooth orig]( "mcorderinnoyon ccbooth orig")
Our Chair, Marianne Corder, gave her first address in the role. Image © C. Booth
-
We enjoyed pâtisserie in Noyon. Image © M. Corder
![noyonpatisserie cmcorder orig]( "noyonpatisserie cmcorder orig")
We enjoyed pâtisserie in Noyon. Image © M. Corder
-
The two committee members who organised the trip, Danielle Esposito from Noyon and Gerry Parkinson from the UK side. Image © C. Booth
![organisers desposito and gerryparkinson ccbooth orig]( "organisers desposito and gerryparkinson ccbooth orig")
The two committee members who organised the trip, Danielle Esposito from Noyon and Gerry Parkinson from the UK side. Image © C. Booth
-
In Saint-Quentin for lunch on the Sunday. Image © C. Booth
![saintquentin280822 ccbooth orig]( "saintquentin280822 ccbooth orig")
In Saint-Quentin for lunch on the Sunday. Image © C. Booth
