Twinning Otford - Precigne, France

29 January 2008
We hosted a 15 year old boy from Precigne, near Le Mans, last autumn for 6 weeks, in 6 different families, while he attended a local school. Both he and his hosts enjoyed the experience. Also pupils from St Michael’s School have been exchanging correspondence and small gifts with a Primary School in Precigne.

During the weekend of 9-11 May 2008 we shall be welcoming a group of 12 visitors from Precigne to Otford. If you, your family or organisation would be interested in meeting our visitors that weekend or in visiting Precigne or in making contact in the future please contact Jane Lawrey on 01959 522360, as soon as possible please, so that we may finalise our programme.

14 October 2007
There will be a Quiz Evening with a French flavour on Friday 16 November in the Club Room of the Village Hall at 8pm. Please apply for tickets @ £5 per head to include ploughman's supper to Jane Lawrey on 01959 522360 and bring your own bottle and glasses.
There will also be a Power Point presentation by two teenagers who recently visited Precigne, near Le Mans, France and an opportunity to see photographs of the visit to Precigne by adults in May.
We do hope you will support this international venture to ensure its success in bringing together young people in particular.

1 September 2007

A glass of wine and some French cheese - un verre de vin et du fromage francais - no, you don't have to speak French, but do come and hear more about Otford's twin village near Le Mans in France and future plans in the Club Room of the Village Hall on Wednesday 26 September 8pm - 10 pm.
Tickets at £3 from Jane Lawrey (01959 522360)

3 July 2007
Would your family like to host a 15 year old French boy from Precigne, September to Christmas, who will be attending a local School for the Autumn Term. For further details please contact Jane Lawrey. 01959 522360.

1 July 2007
WHERE WERE YOU? During the May Bank Holiday weekend a group of 12 Otfordians were featured with a photograph and article in the French newspaper Ouest France enjoying three days of warm hospitality in the French village of Precigne, near Le Mans in Anjou, Western France and visiting the medieval village of Asnieres sur Vegres, the Benedictine Abbey of Solesmes sur Sarthe for Gregarian plainchant Vespers, a factory manufacturing thermoformed plastic parts for the automotive industry, two Primary schools, the local Medical Centre and a local organic beef cattle and pig farm.
These visits were interspersed with good food and wine and playing the local game of Boule de Fort.
There will be opportunities for further contacts when Otford hosts a similar visit next May 2008, followed by teenagers coming to camp in Otford. There is also a generous invitation for two English girls (1618) to spend time in Paris and Precigne this summer, all expenses paid, apart from travel.
Please contact Jane Lawrey (01959 522360) for further details as soon as possible, if you are interested.

15 February 2007
Following the first full, and very successful visit, by Monsieur Francois Cerbelaud–Salagnac and his wife, a primary school teacher from Precigne to Otford at the end of November the first Delegation from Otford will travel to Precigne, near Le Mans, on Saturday 5 May returning Monday 7 May. Please contact Jane Lawrey, 01959 522360, if you are interested in participating and she is also very keen to hear from any local organisations, particularly youth, with any suggestions for future contacts.

9 December 2006
M Francois Cerbelaud Salagnac, his wife Madame Geraldine Cerbelaud Salagnac and M Gilles Rousselet (an English teacher) from Precigne, France were very appreciative of the welcome they received in the Village during the weekend of 25/26 November and thank all those who made them so welcome.
There were 17 Otford residents at the Gatehouse for the formal meeting and many more were able to meet them as they went around the Village.
There has been a Review of the visit for those who expressed an interest and it is hoped that the School children will start exchanging correspondence and that it may be possible for a group of Otfordians to visit Precigne in 2007. A full report of the visit (in French) and a summary of the meeting in the Gatehouse as well as the post visit Review (in English) will be available in the Heritage Centre.