On 11th November 2008, two of us from the Twinning Association attended the ceremonies in Armentières marking the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I. As well as ouselves, there were representatives from Osterode-am-Harz, Armentières' twin town in Germany,
Comines-Warneton in Belgium, just across the border from Armentières, and, of course, Armentières itself.
At the Bonjean Military Cemetery, we laid wreaths on the graves of British, French, German and Belgian soldiers, while pupils from different school in Armentières sang the four national anthems.
It was pupils from Desrousseaux High School, all wearing poppies, who sang God Save The Queen. The French anthem, La Marseillaise, was sung by pupils from Léo Lagrange Primary School, who exchange visits every year with St. Paul's C. of E. Primary School, Stalybridge.
Here is a photo of the Desrousseaux pupils:
 To see the field of poppies planted by the Royal British Legion by the side of the Menin Gate in Ypres, for the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I, go to www.lastpost.be ,click on 'Pictures', then on 'Poppyfield Royal British Legion'.
Many of the current pupils at Desrousseaux High School formerly attended Léo Lagrange Primary School and visited St. Paul's C. of E. Primary School, Stalybridge. On moving to High School, they have asked their teachers if they can continue to have a link with Stalybridge. Desrousseaux High School is extremely keen to form a link with a High School in Tameside, and we are trying to find a school that is willing to explore this possiblility with Desrousseaux.
If you are a Tameside High School that is interested in forming a link with Collège Desrousseaux, contact us: svta@firenet.uk.net
© emm - svta 2009 |