French Inter Club visit 2012

Chateau du Loir Inter Club visit 2012

The "Entente Cordiale" has received a boost as visitors from a French Rotary club have just enjoyed a visit to the Isle of Wight, staying with members of the Ryde Rotary Club. Over the Jubilee weekend they were entertained by a series of special events, visiting Carisbrooke Castle and Osborne House and watching the firework display in Ryde. At a Gala Dinner, attended by 60 Rotarians and guests,  to mark the visit, Jean-Christophe Maleval, President of the Rotary Club of Chateau du Loir, said how much the republican visitors had enjoyed these royal events. Mark Clegg, President of the Rotary Club of Ryde (the two clubs  are celebrating the 49th anniversary of their twinning association this year) reminded everyone of the major project which the two clubs had completed last year to provide an ambulance for the French Red Cross.  Also at this dinner were Sally and Steve Peake, who had hosted two French horticultural students while they were working at Ventnor Botanic Gardens, in a project arranged by the two Rotary clubs.  The visit by Rotarians  is an annual event, with the clubs taking it in turn to visit each others' countries and helping to promote the work of Rotary International, which includes the worldwide drive to eradicate polio.

French Rotarians, with President Jean-Christophe Maleval third from left and Amaury Salome, incoming District Governor in France, centre. On the right is Chelsea, a student from the US who has been staying with the French club this year as a Rotary Scholar.

Our French guests

French and English Rotary Officers

Pictured L/R are Mark Clegg, President of Ryde Rotary Club.

Jean Christophe Maleval, President of Chateau du Loir Rotary Club.

Mary Pike, Rotary Wessex District Governor.

Neil Gurney, President Elect, Ryde Rotary Club.

Amaury Salome, Rotary France 510 District Governor.

Jean Cleaude Tissot, President Elect of Chateau du Loir Rotary Club.

NG