Link with Port-en-Bessin

As some of you in the benefice may be aware, a number of residents in Amport had suggested looking at the possibility of forging links with Port-en-Bessin in Normandy. Hugh de Port (who was gifted the forerunner of Amport parish by William the Conqueror) took his name from this village - this was the basis behind the suggested link. With the backing of Amport Parish Council, it was decided to investigate possible options. 

Recently, four Amport residents had the pleasure of being invited to this delightful fishing port in Normandy on the first weekend of October. We received a warm reception from the mayor and his delegates. Our hosts were most generous, providing us with a beautiful period gîte and typical local dishes accompanied by good wine. We were given a full guided tour of P-e-E (in English), and were later taken to see the Normandy coast, its beaches and the US cemetery at the Omaha landing site. On the Sunday morning we visited the local market, with its range of local specialities - notably cheese and fish. 

The French representatives were receptive to our ideas, and were interested to learn about our village and the local area. A formal meeting took place on the Saturday, where both parties presented ideas about how to pursue and develop links between the two communities. As a parting gift, we left the mayor with a copy of Marigold Routh's book ' Amport - the Story of a Hampshire Parish'.