Dorchester-Bayeux Society

Last update to this page: Thursday 26th September 2024

Twinning Trip to Bayeux, 2024

What a brilliant weekend and we were lucky with the weather!

After a smooth journey to Bayeux on Friday 13th September, we spent the evening with our hosts.

The next morning, we were welcomed by Bayeux's mayor at a civic reception at the Hotel du Doyen. Speeches were made, some with the able assistance of Gareth Jones, our chair. Then members of Bayeux's L'Orpheon choral society gave a great rendition of our national anthem, as well as other items including La Mer.

On Saturday evening, we attended a celebration dinner at the Hotel de Paris, Isigny-sur-Mer. Not only was the meal delicious, but we were delighted to have Dorchester's own Town Crier with us, Anthony Harrison. His cry, given in French, was met with praise and surprise - especially in the car park where he rang his bell. Transcripts of Anthony's cry shown with the photos; for videos, see our Facebook page. Our mayor received a special gift for the town of Dorchester: a commemorative stone engraved with thanks to mark this year's D-day 80th anniversary. One has been given to each town associated with the Normandy landings.

On Sunday 15th September we visited the British Normandy Memorial de Ver-sur-Mer. This was a memorable and very moving experience for many, with the uncle of one of our members listed on the pillars amongst the 22,000 who lost their lives between 7th June and 31st August 1944.

After lunch with our hosts, we met again for a very interesting visit to the new Museum of Débarquement (Landings) at Arromanches. The group photograph was taken outside the museum.

Monday 16^th September

After what is always an emotional visit to the British Cemetery in Bayeux, we enjoyed a short, guided tour of the caramel factory at Isigny.

We then made the most of lunch at The Wok Sun buffet restaurant in Cherbourg before catching the ferry home.

Vivre à Bayeux

The latest copy of a community magazine published by Bayeux town council called 'Bayeux à Vivre' can be found here. The September edition is now out. The Dorchester-Bayeux Society featured in the one-hundredth edition, see extract below.

The December 2023 issue includes an interesting article celebrating the history of Bayeux, with 2024 marking the 1,100th anniversary of its connection to the Duchy of Normandy and eighty years since the Normandy Landings (see page 12).

The magazine can be downloaded (télécharger) or viewed online (consulter).

Boules match 2024

Dorchester-Bayeux v Dorchester/Lubbecke

The 2024 match took place on 10th August and there were a number of very exciting moments in the games with some superb throws showing great skill in most cases and amazing luck for some of us. There were definitely some talented players on both sides! Special thanks go to Dorchester Town Council for arranging to have the changing room toilets at the Sport Centre fixed so they were available for use.

Thanks to members and their guests for coming along and CONGRATULATIONS go to the Dorchester/Lubbecke society who take away the coveted trophy this year.

Dorchester Town Council 50th Anniversary Celebrations

What a great time we had on Saturday 29th June 2024 helping Dorchester Town Council to celebrate their 50th birthday in the beautiful Borough Gardens. There were lots of activities for all the family including an historical display, with duels, weapons and armour from the Company of the Wyvern Re-enactment. Our gazebo proved popular and it helped raise awareness of the society.

Huge thanks to those who helped put up and man the gazebo and to all who visited during the day!

Boules for Bastille Day?

Poole-Cherbourg Twinning Association is hosting a 'battle of the boules' on 14th July in Upton Country Park.

1.30 for 2pm.

We have a team together and will report back on how we get on!

£15 per team of three.

80th Anniversary D Day Commemorations

Mme Lydie Poulet, maire-adjointe in Bayeux and her husband, Jean-Pierre, invited Ian and Barbara to Bayeux for the 80th Anniversary Commemorations of the D Day landings and the liberation of Bayeux just one day after.

June 5th : Lydie, Barbara and Ian attended a very moving Remembrance Service at Bayeux Cemetery. During the service The Princess Royal read a Charles Causley poem and veterans read out their memories. So humbling.

Later that day we were privileged to attend the service at the Cathedral in Bayeux. The closing singing of Amazing Grace, by Emma Brown, then continued with three pipe bands playing. Très émouvant!!

Meanwhile, M. Poulet was in St Lo amid the tight security surrounding M. Macron. Jean-Pierre's mother had been just 10 years old in June 1944. Bad weather had blown warning leaflets away so she had witnessed the Allied bombing of St Lo firsthand. Jean Pierre was able to introduce her to President Macron.

June 6th: Another ceremony at Bayeux Cemetery. More stirring of emotions through the words of veterans, the lyrics of 'You'll Never Walk Alone', by Emma Brown, splendid speeches emphasising the democratic freedoms of today built on those actions 80 years ago. The thunderous fly past of the Red Arrows was truly emotive.

One of the thousands of graves at Bayeux marks the fall of Private C E Coleman ... Ian's uncle. There are many of the Dorset regiments buried here too. Perhaps in September we can mark their graves with a commemorative poppy. If, like Ian, you know of someone buried at Bayeux we can add their names to those we wish to particularly remember.

At 19:44 that evening all the church bells rang.

June 7 and 8th were also marked with ceremonies to remember the liberation. Lydie and Jean Pierre attended a speech by President Macron at La Place de Gaulle. June 7th 1944, just one day after D Day, President de Gaulle gave his liberation speech.

That evening, representatives of British Tank and Armoured Divisions led a service to remember the roles of The Essex (The Pompadours) and Sherwood Rangers at their commemorative plaques beside the Musée de la Bataille at Bayeux.

Nearby, at St Vigor, another commemoration. June 7 and 8 1944 witnessed the building of an airport for 150 Spitfires within 48 hours. One Canadian Spitfire pilot was present to hear beautiful speeches and memories from children and dignitaries alike. Among the dignitaries were those from Congo Brazzaville. This emphasised the part Congo Brazzaville and neighbouring Central African countries played as both de Gaulle's capital of 'Free France' and as a source of many soldiers who fought alongside the Allies. The area continues to forge strong links with Congo Brazzaville.

2023 exchange visit

What a fantastic weekend we all had! See the Photographs page for photos.

Earlier this Autumn, Members of the Dorchester Bayeux Twinning Society were pleased to host a weekend visit from over 40 of their French twinning partners from Bayeux. This was the latest in a long series of reciprocal twinning visits that have taken place every year since the 1960s and this year it was this turn of the Dorchester side of the partnership to host our Bayeux friends for this return visit which had been delayed due to COVID.

The importance of maintaining the twinning relationship is recognised by Dorchester Town Council who gave an excellent civic reception in the Victorian Hall of Dorset Museum, with a welcoming address from the Mayor, Alistair Chisholm, and a response from Bayeux’s Maire Adjoint, Madame Lydie Poulet, and the French twinning President, Patrick Benoist.

The day continued with an afternoon visit to Sherborne castle where more than 80 hosts and guests appreciated a very informative and well-presented tour of this magnificent castle which was once home to Sir Walter Raleigh.

The evening was spent catching up with friends and family news at the homes of the hosts. The Dorchester Bayeux society was delighted to welcome new Twinning Society members from Poundbury who were hosts for the first time, and which afforded them the opportunity to show their French guests this distinctive part of Dorchester.

After a leisurely Sunday morning, the Twinning Society committee laid on an excellent three-course meal in the delightful Pengelly rooms at Kingston Maurward house where guests and hosts enjoyed a traditional English roast Sunday lunch with which our guests were suitably impressed.

Finally, on the Monday morning our French friends gathered in Poundbury where they sampled the wide range of refreshment opportunities and were able to find souvenirs and stock up on some of their favorite English foods before setting off to catch the ferry home.

Gareth Jones, Chairman, Dorchester Bayeux Twinning Society