Travellers in Bordeaux can now enjoy a journey on 'Midsomer Norton', following a tram-naming ceremony in France earlier this week. The ceremony took place as part of a civic day to celebrate thirty years of twinning and the signing of a new Charter with Midsomer Norton on Monday.
At the ceremony was a large contingent of local people from Midsomer Norton and the surrounding district, who are currently on the annual exchange visit to Ambarès et Lagrave.
The tram not only carries the Midsomer Norton name, but the new civic emblem of the town, as it travels on one of the world's most technologically advanced tram networks. In order to reduce the impact of unsightly overhead power lines, usually associated with traditional networks, the Bordeaux electric trams take their power from a third central rail – a system now being adopted in other Heritage cities across the world.
The Mayor of Midsomer Norton presented Ambarès et Lagrave with a fine piece of handmade Bristol Blue Glass which was well received and will be displayed in the French Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall).
"Twinning is a fantastic way for people of all ages to form links with other countries and exchange new ideas and ways of thinking.
"However, if such cultural exchanges are to continue into the future, we need to open up the benefits of twinning for more people to enjoy – particularly to the young and members of our many community groups," said Paul Myers, Mayor of Midsomer Norton.
Later this week, discussions are due to take place between representatives of the French and English Town Councils on the future of twinning. Ideas to use new technologies such as Skype to provide links between schools and exploring a joint Anglo-French Twinning Charter with a town in China are just two of the proposals on the agenda.
Editor: All Midsomer Norton Town Councillors attending are members of the Norton Radstock Twinning Association and have personally funded their own expenses for this trip!