MORE than 200 ‘twinners’ from both sides of the Channel celebrated 35 years of friendship between Launceston and Plestin-les-Grèves during an action-packed four days last month.

Two coaches and several private cars took over 80 twinners from Launceston for the special weekend which included; a welcome reception hosted by the mayor of Plestin; a tree-planting ceremony; a Sunday celebration meal with traditional music and dancing; and organised visits – as well as plenty of time having fun with host families.

According to the Launceston twinning chairman, Jill Whitechurch it was testament to the enduring appeal of the twinning link that the ages of the Launceston travellers ranged from six to 86 and the party included some of the original founder members.

The formalities started late on Friday afternoon when everyone assembled outside the An Meur Dour hall. A long procession followed the flags of Brittany, Cornwall, France and the UK from the hall to a special area in the park that has been dedicated to Launceston-Plestin twinning. It was at the centre of this green space the mayors of Launceston and Plestin planted a white camellia.

Everyone returned to the hall for a welcome drink hosted by the mayor of Plestin, M Christian Jeffroy, who said that it was important that the twinning association should put down strong roots.

Launceston mayor, Margaret Young, said it was ‘important that the twinning should stay strong in these uncertain times’ and she hoped the link would continue for many more generations.

The next day, there were two coaches, picnics and two different itineraries to explore the history, culture and scenery of Brittany.

In between the organised activities, there was plenty of time to enjoy time with host families. Sight-seeing, shopping, and eating meals with family and with French friends were all part of the fun.

On the final evening everyone was together and 200 children, teenagers and adults sat down for a delicious three-course meal with music for all ages provided by an excellent Breton band who soon had twinners on the dance floor and linking hands in the traditional dances.

During the speeches of thanks, Plestin president Bruno Phillippe suggested that twinning should try to involve the colleges of the two towns in the exchanges.

Ms Whitechurch, said: “Attracting families was a way forward for twinning and that we were lucky to have the support of Plestin twinners in this. The turn-out has been absolutely brilliant and we have been growing massively, which isn’t the case for all local twinning groups. The hosts were wonderful over our jam-packed days.”

After this late evening, some twinners had to be up at 5am on Monday to catch the morning ferry, while the others enjoyed a more leisurely day in Landerneau, followed by shopping at Géant, a meal in Roscoff before boarding the night ferry for Plymouth.