IT has been a busy start of the year for members of Bude and Stratton Twinning Association.

Activities were underway on New Year’s Day with some French conversation. On January 18 a delicious lunch was enjoyed by members at Elements Hotel and on January 23 a promotional event was held at Bude Library when three new families joined the association.

On Wednesday, Febuary 24 a successful quiz night was held at the Brendon Arms. Mayor Lea Deely, who is president of the association, entered a team and presented the winning team, the Vanstones, with their prize of a bottle of wine each.

The association is now busy preparing for the visit in May of 38 twinners from Ergue-Gaberic, including six children — their primary school is interested in forming links with schools in the area.

The twinning between Bude-Stratton and the town of Ergue-Gaberic in Brittany was established by charter in 1979. To commentate the inauguration of twinning, Bude presented to Ergue-Gaberic a red telephone box, which is still standing in the town square and association members have been informed by their friends in Erbue-Gaberic that their council is to give it a facelift.

As a result of friendships built up through the twinning, many private visits take place across the channel.

The group meets on the first Friday of each month from 3.30pm to 4.30pm at Waves, Lansdown Road, and anyone is welcome to come along. If you would like to find out more about the twinning tel Robert on 01288 350697 or visit www.bude-stratton-twinning.org.uk