History

The Poem of William WORDSWORTH "Daffodils" learned in school well before the War, contributed in large measure to the choice of Cockermouth as our twin town.
Our first thoughts were of a beautiful part of rural England, on the fringe of the wonderful tourist area of the Lake District, similar to our own Lozère. First contact was made through a telephone call to David Bertram, Secretary of the Twinning Committee...
The thought that this would be the prelude to a relationship which would still be a feature of everyday life 17 years later did not enter my head at that time. He told me he would be coming to visit in the very near future, together with two friends, and so an official group, led by the Mayor, awaited their arrival on the station platform on the appointed day. We were expecting three very British dignitaries in frock-coats and bowler hats, like those who go to work every day in the City of London !...

But imagine our astonishment to see three casually dressed young men, just like any of us, alight from the Paris train... Phew ! It's much better that way. The current flowed at once.
The great friendship between our towns was born at that moment .

A FLYING VISIT

Just three days in which to get an idea of the place and its people and to gauge the chances of a successful twinning between our two communities. We even found time to visit the surrounding area by car : in particular the Aubrac, with Madame Ginisty at Laguiole, who taught them to appreciate our "aligot".

At the end of the meal, Jim Hully, Mayor of Cockermouth, even managed to execute a few dance-steps of the Auvergne bourree... and David took his first steps in getting to know our local dialect. What progress he has made since then and his rendition of "Lou coucut" is now a veritable vocal tour de force.

SOME TIME LATER IN COCKERMOUTH
In high summer it was our turn, with a few Marvejolais, to visit Cockermouth. We travelled by train and the journey remains engraved in our memories. This short visit allowed us to get to know the area and its people.

It was concluded on 27 October 1983 in Marvejols Town Hall with the Declaration of Friendship.

The date has been kept ever since -alternately in Marvejols and Cockermouth- to mark the commemoration of our twinning.

Three of the signatories to that precious document are still with us, hard at work : Mr Les Lytollis, Mr David Bertram and Mr Jean-Pierre Nogaret... which only serves to accentuate our sadness over the loss of Mr Jules Roujon, Mayor of Marvejols and its Senator for Lozère.

He takes credit for presiding over the first steps of the twinning, which he encouraged with all his might. We still keep his words of support very much in the forefront of our mind.