Kingsclere renews connection to twinned village Cormicy with French trip

cameron.blackshaw@newburynews.co.uk

Published: 03:00, 14 November 2024

Kingsclere renewed its connection to a French village with a trip to the continental destination earlier this month.

A group of 23 Kingsclere residents visited Cormicy – Kingsclere’s twinned village in the north of the Champagne region of France – on the weekend of November 2.

A group photo of the Kingsclere group with their Cormicy hosts

A photo of Kingsclere, a gift to the town hall. On the left is Caroline Woods, who was interpreting, along with Cormicy mayor Chantal Lantenois, chair of Cormicy Twinning Association Claudine Villaume and chair of Kingsclere Twinning Association Sue Watson

They were welcomed by their French companions at a special inauguration ceremony at the town hall that was complete with speeches and an exchange of gifts.

To mark the strength of the friendship between the two villages, a video conferencing room in the hall was named the Kingsclere Room.

Twinning association committee member Sarah Davis said: “Covid meant that we had not visited Cormicy for five years, so it was marvellous to renew old friendships and make new ones.

Inauguration of the Kingsclere Room in Cormicy Town Hall

Lucy and William Read, chair of Kingsclere Twinning Association Sue Watson, Cormicy mayor Chantal Lantenois, and chair of Cormicy Twinning Association Claudine Villaume in front of the door of the Kingsclere video conferencing room, after the cutting of the ribbon

“Altogether it was a memorable weekend. We now need to start planning for Cormicy’s visit to Kingsclere in 2025.”

Throughout the weekend, members of the twinning association saw all the changes which had taken place in Cormicy since their last visit.

These included a new sports pavilion, a restored château, improved streets and pavements, the newly-decorated town hall and a woodland walk.

Supper on Saturday, November 2 at the salle polyvalente (village hall equivalent). The Kingsclere visitors were served saucisses rougail, a dish from La Réunion, a French island in the Indian Ocean

On the morning of Sunday, November 3 on the steps of the town hall, before the Kingsclere group bid its hosts goodbye

The Kingsclere visitors were also treated to two delicious suppers in the festively decorated community hall and there was a guided walk around the village and woods.

They also visited a “Champagne experience” at Pressoria in Ay-Champagne, where the entire process of Champagne making was brought to life in a very modern, multi-sensory way, followed by tastings of Champagne or fruit juice.

The Kingsclere Twinning Association is organising a Bistro on Saturday, November 30, in the Village Club in George Street.

Those interested in taking part in the evening should contact Sue Watson for more details on (01635) 298940 or email kingscleretwinning@yahoo.co.uk

All photos courtesy of Gareth Martin

All Hampshire News Newbury Cameron Blackshaw