St Albans plays host to twinning delegation from Nevers

Visitors on a twinning trip to St Albans from Nevers were given a whistle-stop tour of heritage, cultural and leisure attractions during their recent stay.

The delegation from the French City had a packed itinerary that included tours of St Albans Cathedral as well as the Roman hypocaust and Amphitheatre.

They learned about the transformation of the old Town Hall into a museum and art gallery as well as the development of the award-winning Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre.

The visitors also squeezed in a visit to a quintessential English pub, a curry and a trip to a traditional cricket match at Victoria Playing Field. There, the Mayors of Nevers and St Albans opened the batting for a team of District Councillors playing against the Friends of Victoria Playing Field.

Following the cricket match, the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Councillor Mohammad Iqbal Zia, hosted a dinner for the visitors from Nevers.

The Nevers delegation was led by the City’s Mayor, Denis Thuriot, and Deputy Mayor, Mrs Corinne Mangel.

Cllr Zia said: “Twinning visits are important in building ties with countries overseas and have potential to benefit both the visitor and local economies.

“This was a great opportunity to show our visitors from Nevers a taste of what of our historical City has to offer. As well as seeing local attractions such as the Cathedral and our Roman heritage, the visitors also experienced local culture and enjoyed a cricket match. Cricket is not played widely in France, but the Mayor of Nevers was so impressed with the game, that he’s now thinking of putting a team together!”

The link between the City and District of St Albans and Nevers was established in 1974. Nevers is located in the heart of Burgundy and is a cathedral city, with a history dating back to Roman times. It is a place of pilgrimage, being the resting place of St Bernadette. More information is available on the Council’s website.

The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Councillor Mohammad Iqbal Zia
Contact for the Mayor’s office:
Alison Orde, the Mayor’s Civic Officer
Tel: 01727 819544
Email: mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk

Contact for the media:
Amanda Wilkinson,
Senior Communications Officer
St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 819317
E-mail: amanda.wilkinson@stalbans.gov.uk
www.stalbans.gov.uk
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/StAlbansCouncil

Photos:
Above - The Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Councillor Mohammad Iqbal Zia, greeting the Mayor of Nevers, Denis Thuriot.
Playing at the cricket match: The Mayor of the City and District of St Albans, Councillor
Mohammad Iqbal Zia, and the Mayor of Nevers, Denis Thuriot.