A GROUP of 15 friends from Lapford and North Tawton have just returned from a visit to their twin town of Grainville Langannerie in Normandy.

On arrival at the “salle de fetes” (town hall), they were given a civic reception during which Peter Henshaw, chairman of the English twinning committee, and Chantal Lefèvre, his counterpart from Grainville-Langannerie, renewed the charter uniting Lapford and Grainville-Langannerie.

This visit celebrated 50 years of twinning between the two towns.

At the welcoming ceremony Chantal Lefèvre, chairman for 42 years, retraced the history of these exchanges.

“Their origins date back to September 9, 1974,” she explained.

Mr Potel, then mayor, had received a circular from Mr Destors, vice-president of the General Council, proposing twinning with a town in Devon.

This initiative took shape during the conference of English towns in Devon twinned with those in Calvados, which Mr Potel attended on October 12, 1974.

It resulted, in April 1975, in a merger with the town of Lapford, "chosen because of its population of around 700 inhabitants and its agricultural and commercial activities, perfectly suited to Grainville-Langannerie."

Since then, Grainvillais and Lapfordiens meet regularly, most often during May half-term, alternating between Lapford and Grainville-Langannerie.

Over the years, the partnership has been enriched by numerous official visits, school exchanges and private meetings between families. These exchanges have strengthened the human and cultural ties between our two nations.

This four-day exchange continued the tradition: with a visit to Bird Hill (municipal gardens reclaimed from an ancient landfill site) and the castles of Caen and Vendeuvre; an afternoon of games; and a barbecue evening with dancing which included an old English favourite of the “Hokey Cokey”.

Plus, other excursions to places around Caen and the D-Day beaches with our particular hosts.

We hope that our French friends will come and visit us in England next year.

If you feel like getting involved and are happy to host some of our French guests next year, please contact Marion Pratt via email: [email protected].