FRENCH TWIN TOWN DELEGATION PAYS VIST TO OMAGH
French Twin town delegation pays visit to Omagh
We have come to show the people of Omagh how much we care, how deeply all of us in L'Hayes-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."
This was the message of Patrick Seve, mayor of Omagh's twin town and member of the French parliament, on the occasion of his recent two-day visit to the area.
The mayor who was accompanied by his Chief Executive, Jean Gautheron and by Jacqueline Geyl, head of the French Twinning Committee, presented to Omagh 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 he expressed the sense of shock and sorrow experienced in his town on hearing of the tragic events of August 15th. "Immediately", said Mr. Seve, "the Townhall was inundated with phone calls from local people asking how they could help and requesting that a Book of Condolences be opened." In the schools, children wrote poems and reflections on the tragedy and expressed the hope that pupils from their twin town would come to visit them. The delegation presented the Book of Condolences and a selection of the children's writings to the Chief Executive, the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Omagh District Council.
The remainder of the poems and reflections by the young people of L'Haye-les-Roses will be sent to Omagh at a later date. 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, the Chief Executive, John McKinney said that the plaque and the writings would be displayed as part of the permanent memorial 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," said Mr. McKinney.
Before leaving, the French delegation spent several hours visiting the town, where they first of all stood silently at the barriers to pay their respects to the dead and injured. Later, while walking up High Street, they remembered their last very happy visit there to see 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 Mr. Seve. "It is fitting that we should also be with you in your time of sorrow."
We have come to show the people of Omagh how much we care, how deeply all of us in L'Hayes-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."
This was the message of Patrick Seve, mayor of Omagh's twin town and member of the French parliament, on the occasion of his recent two-day visit to the area.
The mayor who was accompanied by his Chief Executive, Jean Gautheron and by Jacqueline Geyl, head of the French Twinning Committee, presented to Omagh 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 he expressed the sense of shock and sorrow experienced in his town on hearing of the tragic events of August 15th. "Immediately", said Mr. Seve, "the Townhall was inundated with phone calls from local people asking how they could help and requesting that a Book of Condolences be opened." In the schools, children wrote poems and reflections on the tragedy and expressed the hope that pupils from their twin town would come to visit them. The delegation presented the Book of Condolences and a selection of the children's writings to the Chief Executive, the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Omagh District Council.
The remainder of the poems and reflections by the young people of L'Haye-les-Roses will be sent to Omagh at a later date. 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, the Chief Executive, John McKinney said that the plaque and the writings would be displayed as part of the permanent memorial 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," said Mr. McKinney.
Before leaving, the French delegation spent several hours visiting the town, where they first of all stood silently at the barriers to pay their respects to the dead and injured. Later, while walking up High Street, they remembered their last very happy visit there to see 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 Mr. Seve. "It is fitting that we should also be with you in your time of sorrow."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1176
Published Date: 01-Oct-98
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