Beaconsfield urged to reciprocate French twin's hospitality (From Bucks Free Press)

Beaconsfield urged to reciprocate French twin's hospitality

2:48pm Monday 8th February 2010 in

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BEACONSFIELD has been urged to “reciprocate” the hospitality offered by its French 'twin'.

Last week town councillors were given a short presentation about Langres, its twin in north east France, and urged to join the Twinning Association.

Beaconsfield councillor Deborah Sanders is already a member, but she wants others be more enthusiastic about the French connection.

She said: “When we go over to France the councillors there all entertain us. I would like to see us offer the same hospitality back.

“There's been a lack of involvement and when we try and do a civic reception very few councillors turn up.”

“There was some positive feedback [after the presentation] but I was disappointed that no one asked the question 'how are we as a council going to help' - that was a shame.”

In France many twinning groups receive grants for their activities. But Cllr Sanders said the Beaconsfield association had been forced to pull out of projects because it couldn't secure funding.

She hopes the support of the town council will help the association apply for grant money.

The association has been successful in organising three visits between the towns this year, with a choir visiting from Langres for a concert at St Mary and All Saints Church on May 13.

A Beaconsfield ballet school is due to travel to Langres in June and Mayor Ken Brown is also set to visit the town for Bastille Day on July 14.

Cllr Sanders said: “It's an awful lot of fun and you can learn so much from it. We are always looking for new members and you don't have to speak French.

The towns were paired in 1996 and the Twinning Association encourages the forging of ever closer links between residents.

It hopes to involve as many people as possible and "several cultural and educational links" have already been made.

If you want to get involved and "immerse" yourself in some French culture then contact the chairman Alan Walters on 01494 672718.