West Wilts Randonneurs, a walking group affiliated to the Bradford on Avon Twinning Association, played host to 18 members from the walking group of their French twin town Sully sur Loire.

It celebrated the 20th year of the walking group’s yearly get-together.

After spending the arrival evening with their hosts, members of both groups met outside Westwood Manor the next morning for a round trip walk covering the five-and-a-half-miles from Westwood to Winsley via Avoncliff.

Both groups then had lunch in Westwood village hall followed by a short two-and-a-half-mile walk around Midway Manor where Alf Moreton gave a short talk on the Shrapnel family and in particular Henry Shrapnel.

The evening saw the regular “banquette” dinner, held at the Farmhouse Inn, Southwick.

The next day the guests and hosts went to the ancient city of Wells where they visited the cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace.

During a walk around the market the visitors were treated to a welcome by the Wells town crier. After lunch both groups went on a muddy four-mile walk around the Kings Wood.

The following morning saw the guests surprised by a competition in French, set up by Gillian King, guiding them around Bradford on Avon.

The weekend ended with a 20th birthday party at Rode village hall decorated with French and English flags, red, white and blue bunting and balloons.

The visitors were officially welcomed by the deputy mayor of Bradford on Avon, Alison Craddock, who spoke of the delight she and the members of the town council had about the camaraderie and friendship which has developed and grown stronger over the years.

Traditional English food and drink was supplied by the hosts and superb entertainment provided by a local banjo band.

The evening, and indeed the weekend, were completed by the chairman of both groups cutting the birthday cake, made by local member Dorna Daw.