Abingdon welcomed over 40 visitors from Argentan in Normandy today (Saturday 22nd August 2026) as the two towns celebrated 70 years of friendship and twinning.
The anniversary celebrations began in the Roysse Room at the Guildhall, where the visitors were formally welcomed by the Town Crier. Cllr Andrew Skinner, Mayor of Abingdon-on-Thames, and Cllr Emmanuel Flouvat, Mayor of Argentan, then addressed the gathering.
The Mayor of Abingdon spoke in French, while the Mayor of Argentan spoke in English. The two Mayors then signed a document to celebrate 70 years of twinning history.
The formal proceedings were followed by a talk on the history of Abingdon, given by Elin Bornemann from the Abingdon County Hall Museum.
The visitors then enjoyed refreshments at the Guildhall, followed by traditional Morris dancing from Mr Hemming’s Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers. The visitors also carried flags bearing the words ‘Tous Normands depuis 10 ans’ – ‘Normans for 10 years’, marking the tenth anniversary of the reunification of Haute-Normandie and Basse-Normandie as the region of Normandie in 2016.
Visitors from Argentan joined the dancers for one of the dances.
Many of the Abingdon people and Argentan visitors were wearing T-shirts carrying the town crests and the words ’70 ans d’amitié 1956–2026′ – ’70 years of friendship.’
The group then made a visit to the County Hall Museum with a chance to enjoy the views.
After lunch, the visitors explored more of Abingdon through guided walks. Smaller groups visited St Helen’s Church and its bell tower. The day’s programme (will end | ended) with dinner at Tiffins Indian Restaurant in Bath Street.
Who pays for all this?
For many years very little has been spent on twinning and civic matters more generally. Up until the 1980s the civic budgets were much more generous but now councils feel obliged to underplay the civic side for fear of being seen to be “boozing on the rates;” very sad. It is our traditions which make the town what it is.
Almost every member of the large group from Argentan was freely hosted by individuals and families in Abingdon, many of whom had experienced warm and generous hospitality from townsfolk in Argentan over the years.The many special t-shirts were brought as a gift from the town of Argentan.
If it was paid for out of the common purse, it would probably cost us no more than a quid each.
Nice to see Abingdon’s No1 traditional Morris team ,Mr Hemmings entertaining the visitors from Argentan.
Didn’t realise you were out on Sunday, Les.