In 1981 Dollar became twinned with La Ville aux Dames, a small town just outside Tours in the Loire Valley of France. The Touraine area has a lot to recommend itself to visitors. It is famous for its many grand chateaux along the Loire and its tributaries, some of which have strong links with former rulers of Scotland. They are proud of their links with Scotland and Mary Queen of Scots in particular. Indeed, one of the streets of La Ville aux Dames is named after her. The climate and geology make it ideal for the cultivation of vines and this area has often been referred to as the "Garden of France". As a result, food and wine tasting are very important pastimes in the area. Tours itself is an important city with an enchanting old quarter as well as a thriving modern economy. With modern shops side by side with interesting historical buildings, Tours has something for everyone.
For more information about La Ville aux Dames why not try their website www.ville-aux-dames.com where you will find photos of some faces well known to some of us in Dollar. Dominique Leclerc the senator-mayor was one of the original group who set up the twinning nearly 25 years ago. Nathalie Smeets, their council member responsible for cultural activities, is the current president of the twinning committee. In addition, Serge Loulergue, Patricia Lacassagne and Christiane Ruflet, all community councillors, have been supporters of twinning over many years and have been frequent visitors to Dollar.
The members of the twinning group in Dollar are ordinary folk of all ages. We work hard to organise visits to La Ville aux Dames, and to receive the citizens of our twin town. We go to France and welcome the French in alternate years. We also meet in Dollar several times a year for social gatherings with a French theme.
To participate, you do not have to speak French, nor do you have to be in a position to put up French people in your home, although this obviously makes hosting groups from La Ville aux Dames easier to organise.
Keep up to date with all our events by checking the site regularly or ask to be placed on the distribution list for our quarterly newsletters. Click here to download the latest issue of the newsletter.
For more information contact:
Secretary, Mrs Caroline Davies
Phone: 01259 742153
EMail:
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The aims of the SWRI are to advance the education and training of women who live and work in rural areas and to promote home skills and good citizenship. We also aim to promote the preservation of Scotland’s traditions and its rural heritage. We offer useful information at meetings and events to encourage worthwhile recreational and leisure time occupations.
Wardlaw House is an Abbeyfield House, opened in 1971. Abbeyfield-Scotland is a charity providing housing and support for older people. The Abbeyfield way of life is a balance of privacy and companionship in a family sized house where residents have their own bed-sitting room, furnished with their own treasured possessions, and have their own bathroom facilities. They lead their own lives, coming together for the main meals of the day, provided by the housekeeper. This helps to postpone or prevent the onset of high dependency. The Society in Dollar was initiated, and is mostly run by volunteers from all walks of life.