Headley Twinning hosted 32 friends from Corné for the weekend of May 18 to 21.

Great fun was had by all after the French visitors arrived on the overnight ferry on the Thursday and spent the day sightseeing in Arundel before arriving in Headley at 6pm.

There was a brief reception for them with a welcome speech, sparkling Cava or a soft drink and canapés before they left with their host families for an evening meal and to settle in to their accommodation.

On the Friday the visitors – and their hosts if they wished – went up to London for sightseeing. Some stayed as a group and others who had visited London before chose to visit other attractions or galleries.

On the Saturday the hosts entertained their own guests. Some were taken to Guildford, Guildford Castle, Churt Sculpture Park, Petworth House, the Devil’s Punchbowl and Gibbet Hill. Some even had a brief visit to Grayshott Pottery and all were interested in the local area.

In the evening the committee had arranged a meal at the village hall with different breads, dipping sauce, lasagne and salad supplied by the local Holly Bush pub, followed by gateau. Red and white wine and soft drinks were served at the tables.

The French guests had brought with them a generous gift of Anjou Rouge wine and the hosts added red, white and soft drinks. The hosts decorated the village hall and the white table cloths and red and blue napkins reflected the colour scheme of the French and British flags.

Squinty McGinty and his band played barn dance music and had a caller who gave instructions in both English and French. It was great fun and the French visitors were very enthusiastic and all joined in. Mistakes were made and much laughter was shared.

On the Sunday morning the hosts took their guests to Headley Village Hall and waved them off as they left for Portsmouth, the ferry and their drive back to Corné.

It was an excellent weekend and the Headley Twinning members were very pleased with how it went as it was the first time visitors from Corné had come since Covid. Next year they plan to take a coach from Headley to Corné where they will be hosted by French families from May 16 to 19.