HALF a century of friendship and twinning with a town in Northern France was recently celebrated in Holsworthy.

A civic reception held by Holsworthy Town Council, and attended by its mayor, Cllr Jon Hutchings was held in honour of the occasion to mark the anniversary of 50 years of twinning between Holsworthy and Aunay Sur Odon in northern France.

Town twinning, also known as sister cities, is a formal agreement between two or more towns or cities, usually in different countries, to foster closer relationships and promote cooperation in various areas like culture, education, and business. The practice started after World War II in a bid to build bridges and promote cultural understanding in the hope it would contribute to international peace.

In attendance at the event were a number of French guests who had participated in the event over the last half a century, with some having taken part for the full duration of the twinning between Holsworthy and Aunay Sur Odon.

Cllr Hutchings said the event was an ‘emotional’ one for all involved, with the French representatives and guests at the event telling their own stories of their involvement in the last 50 years.

A translator was on hand at the event, which proved useful for the mayor, who attempted some French language in his speech.

Cllr Hutchings said after the event: “We had the pleasure of welcoming guests form our Twin Town, Aunay Sur Odon in northern France. The twinning celebrated its 50th anniversary.

“The town council welcomed everyone at a civic reception where a new charter to mark the 50th anniversary was signed. I even attempted a small bit of French in my welcoming speech!

“It got a laugh hopefully because of the content not because of my dodgy French accent! Good job we had a translator!”