Denton Town Twinning

Events 2006

Marché de Noël

A party from Denton attended this amazing Christmas Market, which is held each year in the historic Ferme du Manet in Montigny during the first weekend in December. It is attended by many manufacturers, artisans and guest visitors from various parts of Europe including those from Montigny's twin towns.

The Civic Mayor of Tameside Councillor Margaret Sidebottom photographed after having just received a commemorative gift from the mayor of Montigny, Michel Laugier.

Champagne Celebration

On Saturday evening 2nd December our friends in Montigny hosted a dinner to mark their appreciation for the work done throughout the year by the twinning association from their twin towns. The evening was marked by the presence of the Civic Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Margaret Sidebottom, the mayor of Wicklow in Ireland and the mayor of Marostica in Italy . There were also delegations from Kierspe in Germany and Lunca in Romania .

During the evening, Harry Hallows from Denton was presented with a bottle of champagne by Michel Laugier, the mayor of Montigny-le-Bretonneux, It was presented in order to celebrate Harry's 80th birthday and also to thank him for his outstanding contribution, since 1993, to the development of the firm friendship that exists between Denton and Montigny.

Carnival Day

Sunday, 10th September was Carnival Day in Denton. This year we invited our friends from Montigny-le-Bretonneux to visit us and to take part in the carnival. We asked them to act as goodwill ambassadors in order to raise awareness of the twinning between our two towns and to do this by meeting as many people from Denton as possible. Consequently a party of thirteen persons led by Marie-Thérèse Andre travelled over from France to spend the weekend in Denton.

Our French friends did an excellent job. On carnival day, three members of the party worked on Denton Twinning Association's Stall in the market square, talking to passers-by and answering questions about Montigny. The remaining members of the party walked behind a 'goodwill banner' in the carnival procession accompanied by members of Denton 's Twinning Committee. Our French friends frequently stepped out of the procession to shake hands, to exchange a few words of greeting, and generally to make the acquaintance of the people of Denton.

The weather was fine. The carnival was a great success. Everyone, including our visitors, entered into the spirit of the occasion.

Beatle's Magic - Will it Ever Fade?

When our friends from Montigny came over to take part in Denton's carnival they landed at John Lennon airport on the previous day, Saturday 9th September. In advance they had asked: 'Can we visit the Cavern?' So we hired a bus in order to pick them up at the airport and, before returning to Denton, we spent a few hours in Liverpool. Photographed emerging from the cavern are seven members of the party from Montigny. Left to right: Moncef Chaouch, Bernard and Marie-Thérèse Andre (Brian Booth from Denton) Florence Boutes, Marie-Thérèse and Jean Loup Lepat, and Liliane Guilloto.

Performing Arts Project - Students have a Marvellous Time

Students from Ashton's 6th Form College recently returned from a 12 day visit to Montigny, Denton's twin town, near Paris. They were accompanied by Diane Roache from Denton Town Twinning Association, which arranged the visit. The purpose of the visit was to contribute to the creation of a unique theatrical performance. They have reported that they got on extremely well with the families who accommodated them as well as with the students from France and those from Montigny's other twin towns in Romania, Italy, Germany and Ireland. When they were not in rehearsal, all the participating artists enjoyed some true French hospitality. The French do make excellent hosts and the individual families were happy to show the students the sights in and around Montigny.

The show that resulted from the Performing Arts Project lasted for around an hour and a half, it was staged at the Jaques Brel Theatre in Montigny on the evening of 13th July in front of a sizeable audience. It represented a unique interpretation of the theme of 'love'. It used as its main medium, rhythm and dance. The Germans offered funky jive, the Italians ballet and from the Denton group, modern tango. Even the dialogue, naturally comprising a mix of languages, was delivered in a rhythmically metered style accentuated by a wide variety of percussive instruments. It was amazing how the accompaniment really helped to communicate the multi lingual message to an appreciative audience.

After the show, Michèle Parent, deputy mayor of Montigny-le-Bretonneux, expressed her appreciation of the hard work that had led to the high standard of performance from all concerned. She said how much she had enjoyed the show and that she was delighted by the way in which groups of artists from different cultural backgrounds had worked together in order to stage successfully such a challenging production. Finally she said that she hoped to see this type of cultural arts project continue, perhaps in each of Montigny's twin towns.

After the show, as it was the eve of the anniversary of Bastille Day, a national holiday in France, the performers were treated to a fireworks display which took place on the lake in the centre of Montigny. Late into the evening they danced with the crowd to the music of a band that had been hired for the occasion.

Each member of the party from Denton admitted to having had a marvelous time and to being thrilled by the experience. When it was time to say goodbye at the airport there was hardly a dry eye amongst the students.

La Cavalcade

Details of our visit to Montigny to take part in 'La Cavalcade' on 16th June 2006.

Date to be confirmed

Work will start this year, with our twin town, to launch the first phase of a European Culture Centre. When complete this project will benefit language and other communications and cultural skills amongst all groups, here and on the continent. It will be of benefit especially to young people in the educational, private and commercial sectors.