Masnieres connection on display at Guille-Alles
COLOURFUL Christmas pictures of Santa Claus and the Guernsey flag designed by schoolchildren of a French town connected with St Peter Port are on display in the Guille-Alles Library.
The parish has been twinned with the French town of Masnieres since 2019, thanks to the efforts of the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Trust.
More than 20 hand-drawn pictures and Christmas messages have been designed by young pupils at the Hostetter Elementary School.
‘The display of pictures in Guernsey now in 2024 is another wonderful example of how our relationship has developed and we look forward to building on this for our futures,’ said RGLI chairman Chris Oliver.
‘The trust has not just focused on commemorating the valour of the men of the RGLI. Work has been ongoing since the 100th anniversary in 2017 to build solid relationships and cultural diplomacy between our two communities.’
The pictures represent a selection of those presented to the Lt-Governor, the Bailiff and other local officials during a visit to commemorate the town’s defence in 1917 by the RGLI.
‘We received a wonderfully warm welcome from people of all ages, who were all very interested and well-informed about Guernsey and the RGLI, and proud of their town’s unique relationship with the island,’ said Lt-Governor Lt General Richard Cripwell.
The centrepiece of the visit was a service of remembrance led by the Dean of Guernsey in French and English at the RGLI memorial in Les Rues Vertes, where 453 Guernsey soldiers were reported killed, missing or wounded over the two-day battle. The Lt-Governor laid the first wreath with French senator Guislain Cambier, watched by French military veterans and residents.
Local children attended the service carrying Guernsey flags they had made specially for the occasion at school.
Education, Sport & Culture president Andrea Dudley-Owen said it was fantastic to have the artwork of the children displayed in the Guille-Alles, giving another facet to the value of the exchange.
‘It’s an important reminder of the strong historical ties between our communities, as well as bringing a touch of festive joy to the library during the Christmas season,’ said library head of marketing and customer service Adam Bayfield.
The pictures will be on display close to the Children’s Library in the Guille-Alles library until Friday 3 January.
