VISITORS from Okehampton?s twin town Craon were welcomed en Angleterre last Friday with a sherry reception in the council chamber. Mayor of Okehampton Cllr Frances Luxton delivered a speech in both languages to members of the twinning association. She was joined by her opposite number, Mayor of Craon Paul Chaineau, who said he was very pleased to be back in Okehampton after work commitments meant he was not able to make the last trip to Devon. ?We are very pleased to see so many people here this morning,? Cllr Luxton said. ?We are all good friends. France has at last starting eating English beef again and I have always thought that the French wine is really the best in the world,? she added. Cllr Luxton said twinning was a council-led initiative having been established by the town council in the late 1970s. She said she was pleased that links were now being built between the two primary schools, encouraging young people to develop greater understanding. Monsieur Chaineau said it was ?always a great pleasure? to come to Okehampton. Mr Chaineau said 2007 would be a special year as it will be the 30th anniversary of twinning with Okehampton, as well as Craon?s 10th anniversary of linking with its German sister town Brandberg. ?I have a dream of organising a great meeting between Okehampton, Brandberg and Craon. It would be wonderful to realise my dream, and be, for a few days, the King of Craon!? he remarked. Mr Chaineau said he was pleased there were new young members in both communities joining the twinning to ensure cross-Channel links for years to come. Mr Chaineau told the assembled members: ?I hope to see you all next year. I want to see you all for the 30th year!?
