THE football teams of Horrabridge and Tilly-sur-Seuilles from Normandy celebrated 25 years of friendship and twinning at the Easter weekend.
It was the turn of the French to visit England this year and they arrived early on Good Friday morning at Plymouth Ferryport to be taken to a welcome breakfast at Horrabridge village hall.
Their party included many people involved since the beginning, among them ex-president of the club, Guy Renault, organiser of the exchanges Michele Lebailey, and, making his first visit, Claude Lemaitre, current vice-president of US Tilly-sur-Seulles who said he was overwhelmed by the warmth and friendship of the English.
Friday was spent with the host families, as was Saturday, participating in various different activities with the annual 'soiree', a three-course meal and disco, taking place at the Elfordleigh Hotel, Plympton, in the evening with 114 past and present members attending. Trophies were exchanged and scrolls in English and French, along with commemorative gifts, were presented to the French party.
The evening was tinged with sadness as this was the first Easter visit without the late Stan Pollard, who, along with Tony Allen, set up the football twinning for Horrabridge back in 1975.
Sunday saw the annual football match for the Stan Pollard trophy. The game was fairly even throughout, but two late goals eventually saw Horrabridge run out 4-2 winners, a result that even the French seemed fairly happy with, saying they were glad Stan's cup would start the new millennium at Horrabridge, but hoped they would win it back again next year.
Madame Bethe Panier presented the cup to Horrabridge captain, John Ireland, at a farewell reception at the village hall.
The French returned with everyone looking forward to the next 25 years of friendship between the two villages.