French twinning visitors arrive in Ross-on-Wye following two year delay due to pandemic

Ross-on-Wye has been twinned with the French town of Condé-sur-Noireau in Northern Normandy for nearly 45 years. Every other year up to 50 families, individuals and couples from Ross or from Condé make the trip across the Channel to spend a weekend practicing their language skills and getting to know their hosts, the town, the culture and the food and drink.

Sadly the pandemic has postponed the trip to Ross for two years, but today, Thursday 26th May, the french visitors finally arrived in the town.

The families arrived to a warm reception at the Larruperz Centre where a delicious buffet and drinks were waiting.

The Deputy Mayor of Ross-on-Wye, Cllr Bev Pope, welcomed the visitors with an emotional speech where she said the twinning and their arrival was the sign of normal life returning following covid.

Cllr Pope also talked about Brexit and how important the twinning relationship was. She said: “I think Brexit was the most stupid political decision in my lifetime. It is up to us to keep our nations friendly and safe.”

A busy weekend is ahead for the visitors with trips to Oxford, St Fagans and a cream tea planned.