Provost remembers Veterans at St Valery-en-Caux

Provost Jimmy Gray, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Inverness City Committee, visited St Valery-en-Caux last weekend to renew and strengthen bonds of friendship with the city’s French twin town.

Inverness has a long tradition with St Valery. Many Invernessians served in the 51st Highland Division, who were instrumental in the liberation of St Valery-en-Caux in 1944 along with the other allied forces.

Provost Gray took the opportunity during his visit to lay a wreath with Mayor Mauger at the Military Cemetery as tribute to those who gave their lives. “All of Europe owes an enormous debt of gratitude to our fellow countrymen,” said Provost Gray, “who lie in this small graveyard in St Valery.” Mayor Mauger agreed, saying, “We have tremendous respect and affection for the people of Inverness and the Highlands for the part they played to help us and their part in liberating France.”

The friendship between Inverness and St Valery-en-Caux dates back to 1987, when the town twinning agreement was signed. Provost Gray and the Mayor reinforced their twinning agreement by signing an eTwinning Charter which commits both communities to encourage, promote and support communications in schools using the benefits of information communications technology.

The visit to St Valery-en-Caux by Provost Gray greatly enhanced relationships between the two communities, resulting in plans to develop Citizenship meetings and exchanges as well as new contacts to cultivate economic trade between the two regions.