Last week, the Ashby Twinning Association welcomed 14 members from Pithiviers, France for five days of exploring the area, showcasing local heritage and connecting with new friends.

On Thursday 4^th June, fourteen members of the Pithiviers Twinning Association arrived to the homes of members of the Ashby Twinning Association where they were to stay for the next 4 days, to share in family life, take part in social events and visit places of interest.

This year's visits all took place within the National Forest, showing how the area has been dramatically converted from the devastation caused by the extraction of coal, clay and lime into a landscape of forest rich in wildlife. The area now has great public access to woodland, wetlands, leisure amenities, and housing for the 21^st Century.

At Sharpe's Pottery Museum in Swadlincote, the visitors enjoyed a presentation by Louise Driver, Director of Operations at the National Forest, explaining the impetus for the forest project and its continuing development.

A tour of the museum then showed how the early manufacture in this area contributed to sanitary ware world wide as well as to local domestic ware.

After a fish and chip lunch in Acresford, the group moved on to Rosliston Forestry Centre to witness handlers working with Birds of Prey.

On Saturday morning, Ivanhoe School hosted a Civic Reception organised by Ashby Town Council.

An address by the Mayor of Ashby was followed by a response from the Maire Adjointe of Pithiviers, and the presentation of prizes to a selected pupil of French from each of the Ashby Secondary Schools.

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At the civic reception, students at Ivanhoe School Lacy and Jake were presented with an award by Sandra from Pithiviers and Amanda Hack MP in recognition of their achievements in French.

A highlight of the weekend was a dinner at the St. Helen's Community Centre with catering by Edith James Catering and entertainment by magician Freddy Vipond

On Sunday morning, Ashby's u3a French Conversation Group invited the visitors and their hosts to an informal gathering, with coffee and biscuits and an opportunity to practice their language skills.

Lively conversation continued as this group joined other members for lunch at the Belper Arms in Newton Burgoland and an afternoon of Petanque.

Monday morning began with a guided tour of the 1620's House at Donington le Heath, followed by lunch at the Birch Tree in Bardon and another reminder of our industrial heritage at 'The Coal Miners' Story' at Snibston.

A convivial evening of farewell drinks rounded off a busy but wholly enjoyable visit, with new friendships made and old ones renewed.

The Ashby group look forward to continuing the relationship with a visit to Pithiviers next year.