The Midsomer Norton and District Twinning Association are hosting a party of guests from Ambares et Lagrave in France as part of the annual exchange from 18th to 25th August.

At the heart of twinning, conceived after the Second World War in 1947, is the principle of fostering friendship and understanding between different cultures and between former foes as an act of peace and reconciliation, and to encourage trade and tourism.

On Tuesday was the Civic Reception in the Town Hall, where Paul Myers, Mayor of Midsomer Norton, presented a silver tray to the French Mayor, engraved to commemorate the centenary of women getting the vote in the UK in 1918.

This was followed by an afternoon in Bath visiting the Assembly Room and the Fashion Museum, with a guided walk through the city to places including the Circus and Royal Crescent. The Mayor of Bath, Ian Gilchrist, hosted a reception in the Guildhall to welcome the guests, before they went on to round off the visit with a tour of the Roman Baths in the early evening.

On Wednesday, the group will be going on a day trip to the Black Country Living Museum at Dudley. On Thursday, there will be a boules challenge and picnic at Norwest, followed by an evening at the Museum in Radstock. The week will conclude with a Dinner Dance at Farrington Park Golf Club on Friday.

Looking to 2019, the Midsomer Norton and District Twinning Association is keen to encourage new members to join this much-loved exchange on a week-long visit to the South of France. Anyone interested can contact the Town Clerk on: 01761 418701.