Taking Coal to Newcastle - Heimbuchenthal Visit to Thury

Nathalie was clearly intrigued by the concept of English white wine

Thury-Harcourt celebrated the 20th anniversary its twinning with the Bavarian town of Heimbuchenthal between May 21-24 and invited representatives from Seaton to join them during the Germans four day visit to France. Clare and Graham Jones, Secretary and Vice-Chairman of the Seaton Association attended and took full part in the varied program that the hosts put on which included visits to the picturesque town of Honfleur and to the fashionable resort of Calbourg, a canoe trip down the river Orne, and a cider tasting. The 20 anniversary itself was celebrated by a dinner and folk dance as well as more formal presentations including exchanges of gifts between the two towns and dedication of a bench on the town’s scenic footpath called the Chemin des Jumlages (Twinnings Way). The new bench complimented the existing one dedicated last year to celebrate 25 years of twinning with Seaton.
As well as taking greetings from the Seaton Association, Graham and Clare also presented a gift of bottles of white wine to the French mayor, Paul Chandelier. The wine was a gift from Seaton Town Council to the people of Thury-Harcourt on behalf of the people of Seaton and came from a Devon Vineyard. Paul Chandelier was both delighted and intrigued by the gift which he accepted on behalf of Thury Harcourt. Nathalie Casas, president of the French twinners said that there would be a special tasting at a future date, but before Thury visits Seaton in August.