Last week, the Midsomer Norton and District Twinning Association hosted twenty-six guests from Ambarès-et-Lagrave in France as part of the annual exchange.
At the heart of twinning, conceived after the Second World War in 1947, is the principle of fostering friendship and understanding between different cultures, encouraging peace, trade and tourism. In the light of the recent Brexit vote, there was the potential for apprehension as to how it would feel.
In the event, the spirit of twinning showed as soon as families met on Monday, 22nd August that the bonds of friendship between the two communities run much deeper than links with the European Union. The welcome event on Monday launched the week with warm speeches from the President of the Twinning Association and the Town Mayor. In the evening, the group went to Westfield Pétanque Club at Norton Hill Recreation Ground where the French and English went head to head in a Boules match.
The week was a whirr of activities. On Tuesday, there was a hands-on textile workshop followed on Wednesday by a group day trip to Exmouth, which included a land train ride around the town, a boat trip with cream tea and rounded off with a meal at a restaurant on the way home. On Thursday, there was a visit to Farrington’s Farm Shop and farm tour followed by lunch and skittles at Farrington Village Hall.
Finally, Friday was the Civic Day, which included a trip to Ammerdown House and Gardens followed by a lunch in the Town Hall where there was an exchange of civic gifts – Midsomer Norton Town Council giving a framed montage picture commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Battles of the Somme and Verdun. In the evening, the week’s visit closed with the Twinning Dinner Dance at Farrington Golf Club.
Looking to 2017, 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 in August. If you are interested in finding out more about twinning, please contact Twinning Association Secretary, Sue Hall, on: 01761 434544.