AN INVITATION FROM THE MAYOR OF SALEM (AUTUMN 2025)

 




An article in the August/September edition of East Budleigh with Bicton Parish News revealed that the Mayor of Salem would like to forge ‘an official connection in some way’ with East Budleigh. This follows the visit of a delegation from the American city, organised by East Budleigh’s Roger Conant Club. On Wednesday 25 June, 2025, a letter from Mayor Dominick Pangallo, was delivered to Cllr John Tresidder, Chairman of East Budleigh and Bicton Parish Council in the light of Salem’s forthcoming 400+ celebrations. 

Pictured above are Salem resident Karen Scalia and Cllr Tresidder with Mayor Pangallo’s letter. 

Photo: Anthea Downes

It was, wrote Mayor Pangallo, ‘an invitation for our two communities to become “Sister Cities”, united by the story of Roger Conant, who was born in your historic village in 1592 and became a pivotal figure in the founding of Salem in 1626’. 

For the Mayor, the link between Salem and East Budleigh was 'a connection that transcends centuries and continents’. He added: ‘The timing – again coinciding with our 400th anniversary – makes this opportunity particularly meaningful and poignant.’ 



The motto on Salem’s seal ‘Divitis Indiae, vsque ad vltimvm sinvm’ has been translated as ‘To the farthest port of the rich East’. It reflects Salem's historical connection to maritime trade and its ambition to reach dis tant markets. You could say that Sir Walter Raleigh, also born in East Budleigh—with his quest for Eldorado—had similar ambitions.  

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