MEMBERS of Dawlish Twinning Association say they were ‘blown away’ by the warmth of a Breton welcome during their recent trip to France.
The group enjoyed a long weekend in their partner town Carhaix-Plouguer in Finistère.
The weekend began with an official reception, where Marie-Laure Cloarec, president of Carhaix Twinning, Marie-Antoinette Quillerou, town councillor responsible for international relations, and the mayor, Christian Troadec, welcomed their guests.
The towns have been partnered for 47 years.
Mayor of Dawlish, Cllr Lin Goodman-Bradbury, gave a speech delivered entirely in French, appreciated by twinners from both sides of the Channel.
The two groups then exchanged gifts – from Carhaix, a pictorial map of the town and surrounding area and a Breton flag: from Dawlish a unique Ditto house specially commissioned for the occasion, created by local craftsman David Hardie and author Diana Townsend.
![Dawlish Twinning Assocation exchanging gifts with French hosts](https://www.dawlish-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/06/21/13/31/DTA-Breton-flag.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
The miniature buildings feature in a series of children’s books and in a trail around Dawlish.
Two pupils from Collège Saint-Trémeur presented Cllr Goodman-Bradbury with penfriend letters and A3 posters for their counterparts at Dawlish College, marking the beginning of what their respective teachers hope will become a flourishing link.
![Mayor of Dawlish Cllr Lin Goodman-Bradbury with two students from Collège Saint-Trémeur presenting letters and A3 posters for their penfriends in Dawlish College](https://www.dawlish-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/06/21/13/00/DTA-school.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
Cllr Goodman-Bradbury was hugely impressed with the quality of the children’s work, as well as the boys’ eagerness to converse.
She said: ‘It was as if, through me, they felt were talking to their new friends.
‘It was a lovely connection.’
The remainder of the weekend was divided between time spent with host families and group activities.
![Twinners enjoying a meal at L’Auberge de l'Est à l'Ouest in Poullaouën](https://www.dawlish-today.co.uk/tindle-static/image/2024/06/21/13/08/DTA-meal.jpg?width=669&height=445&crop=669:445)
DTA secretary Val Mawhood said: ‘The hospitality from host families and the group as a whole was tremendous.
‘My host’s husband speaks no English but he was so enthusiastic and determined to communicate in any way he could. It was lovely.’
Cllr Goodman-Bradbury said: ‘They gave us such a warm welcome. It was the best of days. I was proud to be able to represent the town I love in an official capacity and be shown round the area by people who love their community too.
‘We communicated through a mixture of broken French and Franglais but communicate we did and that’s what it’s all about.’