VISITORS from France were welcomed to the Whitchurch area for the 35th anniversary of a twinning link.

About 30 people from Neuvic sur L’Isle spent six days in Testbourne Parishes. They enjoyed a traditional cream tea reception at Barton Stacey Village Hall, before going to stay with their host families from May 6 to 11.

Activities for the guests included a visit to Whitchurch Silk Mill and a tour of Laverstoke Park Farm, where they met the resident buffalo.

An English-themed evening was also held to entertain the visitors, with cheese, fruit cake and wine being sampled.

The visit culminated at Testbourne Community School, where a celebratory meal of local produce, including smoked trout from Chilbolton and roast lamb from Northington, was enjoyed. Original members of the twinning were recognised for their continued association.

The twinning link was set up in 1979, and many people living in Whitchurch have enjoyed valued friendships with their compatriots in Neuvic sur L’Isle, in the Dordogne region of France.

Colin Follett, chairman of the Testbourne Parishes Twinning Association, said: “We are a longestablished twinning group with strong connections between our respective communities. We wish to maintain this link for many years to come and are always on the lookout for new members, of any age.”

Membership is available to anyone living in Testbourne Parishes who is interested in establishing a friendly connection with a French family.

For more details, visit testbourne twinning.org.uk or call Mr Follett on 01256 326909 or email chairman@testbourne twinning.org.uk.