French students from Basingstoke's twin town enjoy visit to Civic Offices

Students from Marguerite de Navarre High School, in Alençon, were greeted by the mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor Paul Frankum at the civic offices, in London Road.

Following an introduction in the Mayor’s Parlour, the 19 students studying health and social care attended sessions delivered by council officers.

The group were told how local authority support is available to young people and families, what is being done to help the homeless in the area.

Cllr Frankum said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome the Alençon students to Basingstoke and provide them with some information about how things are done in England when people need help from local government.

“They were engaged during the sessions with various council officers and said they found it useful to compare our services with those provided by local government in France.”

The visit was part of the group’s five day trip, which also included visits to London and Oxford. During their time in Basingstoke, the girls also toured the Top of the Town, visited the Discovery Centre and Festival Place, and attended Fairfields Primary School to find out what is being taught to British primary school children.

The trip was organised by Tailored Languages director Annie Taylor, who herself had moved to Basingstoke from Alençon.

Mrs Taylor said: ““I was delighted to put this programme together for the students – for some, it was their first time in England and I am always excited to share my love for this country.

“I left Alençon 27 years ago and I have been in Basingstoke ever since.”

Teacher Audrey Rialland, from Marguerite de Navarre High School, added: “The visit to Basingstoke was very productive – it provided our students with a better understanding of the various health and social care structures in Basingstoke and how the system works.”

To find out more about the borough’s town twinning, now in its 49th year, visit: basingstoke.gov.uk.