Page 44 - IT'S A RUM LIFE BOOK FOUR Volume 1 "Northcote 1984 to 1998"

The breakfast at Hesdin was truly formidable with a huge table laid out with everything one
could desire hot and cold. From warm rolls to cold ham, eggs, cereals, prunes, nuts and
fruits and much more.

LOCAL LIFE IN FRESNAY
We duly arrived in Fresnay and went as directed to the Mairie or Town Hall to meet the
Mayor M. Vielle.

Those of you not used to the French way of life may not be aware that in France the Mayor
has total control.
He holds the purse strings for every activity in the town from schools to road repairs. He is
also, with the aid of his co councillors responsible for all planning permissions and
development in the locality.
If one needs to do anything, one must firstly consult the Mayor!

It was a Saturday morning, and the Mayor was about to perform one of his most important
tasks, conduct a marriage.
Weddings in France can take place in church but they do not have to.
What they do have to do is be conducted by the local civil authority, The Mayor.

M. Vielle explained what was about to take place and asked us to join him. He firstly
placed his badge of office, an elegant tri colour sash over the shoulder of his elegant grey
suit and we followed him into the council chamber.

We sat at the back behind the Mayor and watched as the wedding party entered. The first
thing that struck us was that the bridegroom was wearing jeans and a casual shirt, the
bride, a simple dress and scarf.
The guests and family relations were little better and to our acute embarrassment M. Vielle
began by explaining that the wedding party were fortunate to have as extra guests the first
visitors to the town from their prospective twin town in the UK.

We duly stood and greeted all concerned. After the fairly brief ceremony the wedding party
all trooped outside into the town square for various family cameras to be brought into
action and record all and sundry.
They then departed for their celebratory meal and that was it.

M.Vielle was careful to point out that this wedding had been an exception, he explained
that most wedding groups did make a very special effort with their wedding garments and
especially the ladies with their dresses.

We spent an eventful week in the town and its environs being conducted and entertained
by Serge Letort and his wife who both worked at the Moulinex factory located in the town.