YOUNGSTERS from a French coastal town have had a whistle-stop tour of Coleford as part of a Coleford Twinning Association exchange visit just before Christmas.

Iain Baird, chair of the Coleford Twinning Association said: “The group were only in Coleford for two and a half days, but they managed to visit Puzzlewood, Hopewell coal mine, Speech House, Symonds Yat and Gloucester Cathedral as well as exploring Coleford.

“They also tried out skating at Whitemead Park and tested their bowling skills at the 10-pin bowling in Gloucester with some of the young people from the Mount of Olives Church in Coleford.”

The group of 11 young people travelled from a youth club in St Hilaire de Riez, the town in the Vendee in the Pays de la Loire region of France that has been twinned with Coleford since August 2016.

Iain added: “We organised a farewell fish and chip supper at the Main Place in Coleford on the last night, attended by Mark Harper MP, members of the Coleford Area Partnership and representatives from the twinning committee. The youngsters were treated to a traditional British supper, wrapped in paper, arranged by Paul Kay, Mayor of Coleford Town Council. Sandrine Avrilla, the deputy mayor responsible for the youth service in St Hilaire gave formal thanks. This first visit was a huge success”.

Anne Lounineau, the group leader, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the hospitality that the people of Coleford have shown us. The Forest of Dean is a very special place and we are so pleased that this twinning has been created. We are looking forward to welcoming groups of Coleford youngsters to St Hilaire this year.”

It is hoped that a visit from Coleford to St Hilaire de Riez will take place in May 2017. The twinning association is keen to welcome more members and is running weekly French conversation sessions. For more information visit the official website at www.colefordtwinning.org