FRENCH 'TWIN' SYMPATHISES WITH PEOPLE OF OMAGH
French 'twin' sympathises with people of Omagh
THE Mayor of Omagh's twin town, L'Haye-les-Roses, has pledged that its links with Omagh will not only continue, but will be stronger than ever, in the wake of the bombing seven weeks ago
Mr. Patrick Seve, who is a member of the French Parliament, spent two days in the town last week, along with his chief executive, M. Jean Gautheron, and the head of the French Twinning Committee, Mme. Jacqueline Geyl.
The Mayor presented to the district council a marble plaque engraved with a message of sympathy and solidarity from the people of L'Haye-les-Roses to the people of Omagh.
In a short address, M. Seve expressed the sense of shock and sorrow experienced in his town on hearing of the tragic events of August 15.
"Immediately, the Townhall was inundated with phone calls from local people asking how they could help, and requesting that a book of condolences be opened," he said.
He explained that the local schoolchildren wrote poems and reflections on the tragedy, and expressed the hope that pupils from their twin town would come to visit them.
Condolence
The delegation handed over the book of condolence, along with a selection of the children's writings to the council chief executive, Mr. John McKinney, and the chairman and vice-chairman, Mr. Sean Clarke and Mr. Allan Rainey.
It is understood that the remainder of the poems and reflections from the young people of L'Haye-les-Roses will be sent to Omagh at a later date.
M. Seve said: "We have come to show the people of Omagh how much we care, how deeply all of us in L'Haye-les-Roses have been touched by your tragedy, and how determined we are that our twinning link will not only continue, but will be stronger than ever."
The Mayor also indicated that his council intended to name a civic amenity or an area of the town after Omagh, "so that the name 'Omagh' will also have happy connotations".
Expressing his appreciation, Mr. McKinney said the plaque and the writings would be displayed as part of the permanent memorial hopefully to be established in the new Arts Centre in the town.
He assured the delegation that Omagh was equally determined to strengthen the twinning link as part of the vital work of regeneration.
"We are encouraged in our endeavours by your friendship, which is evidenced by your presence here among us," he said.
Before leaving, the French delegation spent several hours in the town centre. They stood in silence at the barriers in Market Street to pay their respects to the dead and injured, and later walked up High Street.
There, they recalled their last happy visit when they viewed the French theme window displays, which had formed part of the celebrations of the signing of the twinning agreement in 1996.
"We have been here in happy times," said M. Seve. "It is fitting that we should also be with you in your time of sorrow."
THE Mayor of Omagh's twin town, L'Haye-les-Roses, has pledged that its links with Omagh will not only continue, but will be stronger than ever, in the wake of the bombing seven weeks ago
Mr. Patrick Seve, who is a member of the French Parliament, spent two days in the town last week, along with his chief executive, M. Jean Gautheron, and the head of the French Twinning Committee, Mme. Jacqueline Geyl.
The Mayor presented to the district council a marble plaque engraved with a message of sympathy and solidarity from the people of L'Haye-les-Roses to the people of Omagh.
In a short address, M. Seve expressed the sense of shock and sorrow experienced in his town on hearing of the tragic events of August 15.
"Immediately, the Townhall was inundated with phone calls from local people asking how they could help, and requesting that a book of condolences be opened," he said.
He explained that the local schoolchildren wrote poems and reflections on the tragedy, and expressed the hope that pupils from their twin town would come to visit them.
Condolence
The delegation handed over the book of condolence, along with a selection of the children's writings to the council chief executive, Mr. John McKinney, and the chairman and vice-chairman, Mr. Sean Clarke and Mr. Allan Rainey.
It is understood that the remainder of the poems and reflections from the young people of L'Haye-les-Roses will be sent to Omagh at a later date.
M. Seve said: "We have come to show the people of Omagh how much we care, how deeply all of us in L'Haye-les-Roses have been touched by your tragedy, and how determined we are that our twinning link will not only continue, but will be stronger than ever."
The Mayor also indicated that his council intended to name a civic amenity or an area of the town after Omagh, "so that the name 'Omagh' will also have happy connotations".
Expressing his appreciation, Mr. McKinney said the plaque and the writings would be displayed as part of the permanent memorial hopefully to be established in the new Arts Centre in the town.
He assured the delegation that Omagh was equally determined to strengthen the twinning link as part of the vital work of regeneration.
"We are encouraged in our endeavours by your friendship, which is evidenced by your presence here among us," he said.
Before leaving, the French delegation spent several hours in the town centre. They stood in silence at the barriers in Market Street to pay their respects to the dead and injured, and later walked up High Street.
There, they recalled their last happy visit when they viewed the French theme window displays, which had formed part of the celebrations of the signing of the twinning agreement in 1996.
"We have been here in happy times," said M. Seve. "It is fitting that we should also be with you in your time of sorrow."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1251
Published Date: 01-Oct-98
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