A CARVED wooden bench celebrating the links between Chepstow and its French ‘twin’, Cormeilles, has been officially unveiled at Chepstow Castle.

The oak bench was commissioned by the Chepstow-Cormeilles Twinning Association following the 950th anniversary of the castle in 2017.

The bench was carved by craftsman Chris Wood of Caerleon near Newport and features the two towers of Chepstow Castle at either end, an apple tree representing the orchards of the two towns, the facades of the towns’ churches and the coat of arms of the two twinning associations.

The bench was presented to Mayor of Chepstow, Cllr Tom Kirton, on behalf of the town, by the Chair of the twinning association Mrs Isabelle Roberts.

Cllr Kirton said: “It is a very impressive piece of work and is well placed in the middle bailey of the castle to allow people to rest after coming up the hill.”

Mrs Roberts said: “After the 950th anniversary celebrations, the association decided to commission this bench and we are delighted with the results.”

The relationship between Chepstow and Cormeilles is one of the oldest in Europe, going back to the earliest days of the Norman Conquest.

The castle was started in 1067 by William Fitz Osborn, the cousin of William the Conquerer who had strong links with Cormeilles.

The twinning arrangement dates back to an initial meeting in 1972 and the twinning oath was signed in Cormeilles in 1976.