French town twinning for Ballina
Meetings took place in France recently to progress a town twinning arrangement between Ballina/Killaloe and Basse-Goulaine.
Ballina/Killaloe were represented by Marcus O'Connor, Director of Nenagh Municipal District; Rosemary Joyce, District Administrator; and Ballina councillor Phyll Bugler, Cathaoirleach.
Basse Goulaine has a population of 8,100. It is located in the west of France, close to Nantes. The representatives from Ballina/Killaloe met with the twinning committee from Basse-Goulaine. Their twinning organisation is called 'Comite de Jumelage de Basse-Goulaine'.
The aim of the twinning is to promote tourism, heritage and school exchanges between the two towns. The twinning committee in Basse-Goulaine is involved in the following: Exchanges between the towns of Theley (Germany) and Briviesca (Spain); Organisation of local events - members of Ballina/Killaloe attended the Christmas market in Basse Goulaine on December 3rd/4th; Organisation of English and Spanish classes; Involvement with other associations such as choirs, hiking, tennis, cycling, football clubs and walking.
Representatives of the Ballina/Killaloe twinning committee visited the secondary school in Basse-Goulaine to progress a student exchange programme with St Anne's Community College, Killaloe. The locsal committee was given an extensive tour of this secondary school and met French, English and Maths teachers, and the principal. Second level education in Ireland/France was discussed in detail with regard to curriculum, teaching methods and assessment for entrance to third level education. The committee was warmly received in this secondary school and hopefully the student exchange discussions will commence shortly.
The Ballina/Killaloe group also visited the local authority in Basse-Goulaine and met the mayor. The operation of the local council in Basse-Goulaine, the number of council meetings, budgets, etc, were discussed.
It is proposed that the twinning committee in Basse-Goulaine will visit Ballina/Killaloe from April 6-9th 2017, when the Kincora Traditional Festival will take place.