Rye College recently visited Montreuil-sur-Mer as part of a reciprocal exchange arrangement with Lycée Eugène-Woillez. The aim was to establish good friendships with the students, to learn more about school life in France, to understand the history of the town (which was a key strategic location in the first world war) and to enhance their French language skills.
Rye students were very warmly welcomed by their French friends, who proudly showed them around the town, which is very much like Rye with some cobbled streets and timber framed buildings, where nearly all the businesses are small, family owned ones and there are some good restaurants and sports facilities. Enroute they also stopped at Le Touquet.
Rye’s lead French teacher said:” This has been a fantastic trip! The French were very welcoming and our students created some beautiful new international friendships.” In June, Rye will be hosting students from Montreuil-sur-Mer, with a visit to the town hall, a welcome from the town crier, a mystery treasure tour of the town, a trip out to Battle Abbey, and a farewell supper at the Mermaid Inn.
The association with Montreuil was initiated after a conversation with Lord Astor, whose grandfather was Lord Haig of the British forces in the first world war. He has a statue in the market square of the town. In addition to the schools trip, a small contingent will be going from Rye in September to help them celebrate 80 years since liberation, and the Mermaid Inn are creating pathways for their staff to have reciprocal swaps with hotels and restaurants in the French town. We want to look at more ways the two towns can continue the esprit de corps, possibly through the arts or sports.
Image Credits: Amy Biddle , Rebekah Gilbert .
And how can one get involved in the exchange project? To help?