New Beccles exhibition marks the start of a season celebrating friendship
Former mayor of Beccles Pauline Wooden opens a new exhibition organised by the town's twinning association. PHOTO: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher
The first of a summer of events celebrating friendship between the English and the French has been launched in Beccles.
Former mayor of Beccles Pauline Wooden with supporters at the opening. PHOTO: Nick Butcher - Credit: Nick Butcher
The town’s museum is hosting an exhibition put together by the Beccles Twinning Association, with help from the U3A Medieval History group.
It covers the 41 years from the battle of Agincourt to the trials of Joan of Arc and her eventual pardon - and shows how people in both Beccles and its twin town, Petit-Couronne, lived at the time.
It also shows the history of the twinning association, from the first proposals up to the most recent visit.
Association chairman Michelle Golding said: “I think European unity has taken a bit of a knock this year and it’s important to show people that the things we share are more important than the things that divide us.
The key to Petit-Couronne which features in the exhibition. - Credit: Nick Butcher
“I hope people will come to the exhibition, find out a bit more about how Beccles was in the period of Agincourt to Joan of Arc and maybe ponder a bit on war and peace.”
Pupils from Sir John Leman High School also lent a hand at the exhibition - which runs until September 4 - by making a trail, children’s activity corner and merchandise.
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An art exhibition in St Michael’s Church in Beccles will run from August 23 to September 4, featuring an artist from Petit-Couronne, and a group from the town will be visiting from August 25.
On the day they arrive, a scultpure by David Alexander Cross will be unveiled, followed by an archery demonstration tournament on August 26. An art competition for Beccles schools will be judged by artists from both Beccles and Petit-Couronne.
And the association hopes that the project will lead to a bilingual booklet being produced.
The association would welcome contributions - comments, observations, original research, photographs, drawings, poems or anything else relevant to the project and the periods 1415 to 1456, or 1976 to now.
Anyone who would like to contribute has until October 31 to do so and should email twinning.beccles@gmail.com for more details.
