CALLINGTON Town Council and Callington and District Twinning Association were delighted to host 70 French and German families from their twin towns of Guipavas, France and Barsbüttel, Germany for a five-day twinning event recently.

The visitors were taken by coach to explore Dartmoor and for the Sunday morning river cruise from Saltash to Calstock and back. There was an opportunity to discover even more of the area with their host families.

On the Saturday night 140 people sat down to a communal meal in Callington Town Hall preceded by a welcome drink provided by the town council and entertainment by Canticorum Singers. Guests enjoyed a variety of music played by Callington Town Band, many of whose members have visited Barsbüttel and Guipavas to play at similar twinning events.

The mayors of each town expressed delight that the visit was so well supported, with portreeve Karen Gold wishing a warm welcome to all the visitors. Barsbüttel's Bürgermeister, Thomas Schreitmüller, was delighted with his first visit to Callington, while Alain Queffelec, mayor of Guipavas, was particularly happy that the French group had been accompanied by 21 young people and three accompanying adults who were taking part in a school exchange with students from Callington Community College.

This exchange has been in existence since the early 80s but had not taken place in the last two years due to organisational problems so it was particularly pleasing to welcome the young French contingent on this occasion,' said Mrs Gold. They spent an extra few days at the college and with their host families before returning to France on Thursday.