A GROUP of residents from Whitchurch have had a French experience taking part in the annual exchange trip with Whitchurch’s twin town in the south west of France.

Members of the Testbourne Parishes Twinning Association visited Whitchurch’s twin town Neuvic sur l’Isle last month, staying with hosts from the town during their annual exchange trip.

The group’s 38th trip to the town at the beginning of May saw a group of 18 residents from Whitchurch experience French cuisine with a Périgordian buffet laid on by the hosts, described as being like a local savoury cream tea. They also visited France’s only remaining slate mine, ‘Les Pans de Travassac’, and they had a guided tour of a family-run chocolate factory ‘Chocolats Bovetti’, ending with a sampling of the specialties of the factory, including a Grand Cru chocolate.

They then got a taste of the region’s specialty product, with a walnut-themed evening where all the dishes were flavoured with walnut. The visit concluded with a gala meal which was attended by the mayor of Neuvic, François Rousel. Neuvic is located in the Dordogne region in the south-west of France.

Chairman of the Testbourne Parishes Twinning Association, Beth Shearing, said: “This year’s visit to our twin town of Neuvic was particularly memorable because we were there at such an important time for the French nation, the election of a new President. As always, the food, entertainment and trips around the beautiful countryside were immensely enjoyable.”

The group will now welcome their friends into Whitchurch from Neuvic next year and are looking for new members to help host their French guests for their visit and help out in the exchange programme.

For more information contact secretary@testbournetwinning.org.uk.