The Mayor of Salisbury, Cllr John Abbott, in his role as president of Salisbury Saintes Twinning Association, gave an official send-off to a party of 31 young players aged 11 and 12 from Salisbury Rugby Club to spend a sporting weekend in Saintes.
The excited youngsters, wearing their club shirts, were accompanied by 19 adults, including coaches and some parents.
Before leaving, the Mayor gave a Salisbury coat of arms for the boys to present to their host club in Saintes, along with a card of greeting for the Mayor of Saintes, who they will meet at a reception on their first evening. For a picture, please look in our gallery.
Thanks to generous support from Reeve the Baker, SSTA was able to ensure that none of the group was going to be hungry, at least for the first half-hour.
We presented each traveller with a bag containing a cheese straw, sausage roll and doughnut.
It is no coincidence that Gary Reeve coaches the very youngest members of Salisbury Rugby Club.
Before the rugby party left, Mayoress Mary Abbott was presented with some flowers as a token of appreciation for the support that she and John have given to SSTA during the past year.
