Tynwald has welcomed personnel from three of the French Navy’s training ships (bateaux-ecoles) Eglantine, Glycine and Jaguar, visiting the Isle of Man on navigational training exercises.
Hon Juan Watterson MHK, as Armed Forces Champion, hosted a tour of the Tynwald Chambers for the crews, including the vessels’ commandants Captain Dominique Le Pen, (Eglantine), Major Nicolas Schrack, (Glycine) and Lieutenant Arthur-Francois Debieuvre (Jaguar), together with the Isle of Man French Honorary Consul Mrs Annie Nedellec.
Mr Watterson said: ‘It is always a pleasure to share with visitors the history of Tynwald but this particular visit took on special significance given the Island’s strong maritime heritage and its commitment to support the Isle of Man’s Armed Forces Community Covenant that seeks to foster enduring and productive links between those who serve and the Manx nation.
‘I was also delighted to join our visitors and others later that day on board Jaguar for a reception that included Infrastructure Minister Hon Laurence Skelly MHK, newly elected Mayor of Douglas His Worship Councillor Stan Cain and representatives of the Island’s French community.’
Photo - Juan Watterson and Annie Nedellec are pictured with personnel from French naval training ships Eglantine, Glycine and Jaguar. (Photo Paul Dougherty, Tynwald Seneschal).
