Letter: 25 years of twinning

Your readers may be interested to know that over 40 people came over to Ludlow from La Ferté-Macé, its twin town in Normandy, to celebrate 25 years of town twinning.

They were hosted at Ludlow Brewery by the town council and welcomed by the outgoing mayor, John Aitken, and newly-elected mayor, Tony Pound.

Young people from Ludlow Foyer provided all the catering and everyone received an anniversary bottle of Ludlow Gold beer.

La Ferté-Macé was represented by its mayor, Jacques Dalmont, and the chairman of its twinning association, Bernard Blondeel.

Over the weekend the French visitors stayed with Ludlovian families to renew friendships and make new ones.

A social evening was held at Knowbury Village Hall, and a coach tour took everyone to Much Wenlock and Bridgnorth, where guests were able to enjoy a diamond jubilee-inspired re-enactment of Queen Victoria's visit there, complete with steam engines.

Both twinning associations renewed their commitment to support exchange of young people between the towns. To this end the Ludlow association will be working with the Royal British Legion to raise funds to help deserving young people to spend time in France for education or work experience.

We are particularly pleased that Ludlow town council has renewed and strengthened its commitment to town twinning at a time when other councils in the country have decided to sever ties with their twin towns. We welcome new members. Next year we shall be going to France, so it's a good time to join up!

See www.ludlowtwinningassociation.co.uk

Tim Mawson

Chairman, Ludlow French

Twinning Association