Forty French made the trip from Fontaine-Henry in Normandy. The Devon Twinners had prepared a full programme of local entertainment to keep them busy.
No sooner had their feet touched the ground, the visitors were escorted through Buckfastleigh to the town’s Millennium Green. There, Buckfastleigh mayor Huw Cox was waiting to inaugurate a new bench, a gift from the French, with his French counterpart Cyrille Rosello.
That evening everyone converged on Buckfastleigh Town Hall for the traditional vin d’honneur reception. Shrugging off the effects of the journey, the French were soon dancing a conga to the foot-tapping rhythms of Buckfastleigh’s own “Bad Knees Blues Band”.
Their heads barely touching the pillow, the French headed up to Dartmoor the next morning for visits to two adjacent farms. A chance to meet Lakemoor’s alpacas and then, after a short tractor and trailer ride, an introduction to Dartmoor hill farming at nearby Bowden Farm Organics.
A well-earned sit-down for a traditional Sunday roast lunch, and then it was off to the Buckfastleigh Bowls Club. Guided by local bowls club members, the French were introduced to the niceties of English bowls – no throwing, no running on the green, and definitely no stiletto heels.
Some of the plucky French even had the energy to run in the Scoriton Flower Show’s two-mile cross country on the Bank Holiday Monday. Joining a field of 70, the visitors made a creditable showing. Several have their sights on the podium in 2025.
All in all, a very successful trip, greatly enjoyed by French and English alike. We look forward to making the return trip to Fontaine-Henry in 2024 and renewing our close ties with our Norman neighbours.
