HISTORY was made when Dart­moth­ians from both sides of the pond joined in a celebration of friendship and unity at a gala dinner on Saturday night.

A sister city signing ceremony was attended by 110 people at the ballroom in the Guildhall when Dartmouth UK played host to visitors from its namesake in the USA.

The official sealing of the compact marked a bond of friendship established between the two towns and paves the way for the forthcoming Mayflower 400 celebrations planned for 2020.

A delegation of 15 guests from Dartmouth Massachusetts had spent last week in Dartmouth Devon exploring the town and surrounding area. It followed a visit by our mayor and mayoress Rob and Di Lyon, sister city chairman Gina Coles and town’s dignitaries to Dartmouth Mass in 2014.

In his welcome on behalf of Dartmouth Town Council, Cllr Lyon told the gathering: ‘This is, indeed, a significant day for the two towns of Dartmouth, Devon, and Massach­usetts.

‘According to Gina, our sister city chairman, it has been 18 years. But all good things that happen need patience and this, we believe, is a very good thing.

‘I am confident that this sharing of goodwill in educational, cultural and historical aspects will enhance both communities in the years to come and will be passed on to each subsequent generation.

‘During my first year as mayor of Dartmouth, we were invited to take part in the celebration of the 350th anniversary of the founding of Dartmouth, Massachusetts in September 2014.

‘This was a great honour and Di and I and our fellow travellers received the kindest of welcomes from everyone. The visit culminated in the anniversary parade and this certainly lived up to expectations.

‘So from this visit in 2014, we are now at the stage of exchanging signatures on a sister city compact that will seal the connection between our towns and ensure that our friendship continues.

‘You will always receive a sincere welcome from the town and we look forward to the many exchanges that we will have in the coming years.

‘My thanks also go to both sister city committees. They have worked extremely hard on this project and it is good to see it come to fruition.’

Toasts were given by Vince Murphy, assistant cultural attache to the United States Embassy, and Rear Admiral Robin Shiffner.

Responses came from Stanley Mickelson, chairman of the Dartmouth Massachusetts select board; David G Cressman, town administrator; Sheila Koot and Jane Carreiro, sister city co-chairmen.

Dartmouth Rock gave a rousing start to the proceeding by performing a selection of pieces, including – to rapturous applause - the Bee Gees famous hit, Massachusetts.

Among those present were town, district and county councillors, civic leaders and business people.