Tributes to tireless twin-town organiser
A group in Pitlochry has paid tribute to the woman who helped many residents enjoy trips to France.
Jacqui Hellegouarc chaired the French side of Pitlochry’s twin-town partnership with Confolens.
The Friends of Confolens group has said it is “greatly saddened” to hear of her passing.
Jacqui had made many trips to Pitlochry, with her husband Jean Claude and other Confolentais.
Most recently, she organised a highly successful group visit to
Pitlochry in September 2017, then she generously hosted a series of individual visits from Pitlochry to Confolens over the following two years.
Before the pandemic struck, her plans were welladvanced for a group visit to Pitlochry last summer to mark the 20th anniversary of the twinning. Sadly there never came a time that both towns were out of lockdown.
It is no exaggeration to credit Jacqui with singlehandedly sustaining the partnership through the various ups and downs of the committees in both locations. Her dynamism was infectious and led to many memorable moments during twinning visits.
Her fluent command of English averted any mishaps from our rusty French capabilities.
The Vale of Atholl Pipe band greatly enjoy their trips to Confolens. They have played the worldrenowned Festival De Confolens twice, while groups of pipers and dancers also visited to play the spring fair, memorial services, castle concerts and ceilidhs.
Gillie McNab recalls: “We were always looked after like royalty. Jacqui would rush around, slotting in sixcourse dinners, trips on the Velo Rail, market visits and Boules, between our piping engagements.
“When she heard there was a keen fisherman in the band, she even set up an early morning fishing trip.
“She and Jean Claude welcomed me into their home and she worked tirelessly for us. She was an inspiration.”
Tom McEwan, acting chair of Friends of Confolens, added: “When Sandra Cairncross and
I visited Confolens in October 2019, we enjoyed similarly generous hospitality, culminating in a magnificent Sunday dejeuner with over 20 of the local Pitlochry enthusiasts.
“We’ll all miss Jacqui - her passionate commitment, and ability to balance the objectives of many different people, are the main reasons that our partnership still exists.
“Jacqui’s memory inspires us to make our Jumelage (twin-town) prosper once again, as the pandemic abates.”