ON the evening of Friday, November 13, a large group of members of the Trowbridge French Twinning Association enjoyed a very convivial social evening of French food and wine. It was Saturday morning before most of us heard the news of the terrible atrocities in Paris. Trowbridge’s twin town, Charenton-le-Pont, is situated at the south-eastern edge of Paris, less than half-an-hour from the centre of the capital. Like all of your readers, we were shocked and outraged, but with an added personal connection.

As chair of the Association, I sent a message of support, solidarity and deepest sympathy to several friends in Charenton, including those at the Mairie. Whilst feeling for all the casualties and fatalities, we were naturally anxious to hear that that our particular friends were safe. I quickly received the following reply from Jean-Marie Brétillon, long-standing Mayor of Charenton, who has visited Trowbridge several times. I thought your readers would like to share it.

“Un grand merci pour votre message de soutien amical et affectueux. C’est vrai que pour nous la nuit a été longue et l’incompréhension totale devant ces actes aveugles, stupides, sans aucune portée stratégique. A l’heure qu’il est, aucun Charentonnais a été signalé blessé ou mort. Les mesures de sécurité que je dois prendre en tant que maire vont perturber la vie locale, mais je ne veux pas non plus que la peur ne l’emporte – ce serait la victoire des terroristes.

“Amicale pensée, Jean-Marie Brétillon, maire de Charenton-le-Point.”

“Many thanks for your friendly and affectionate message of support. It was certainly a long night for us and one of total failure to understand these acts that were indiscriminate, stupid and completely random. At this point in time, no-one from Charenton has been reported injured or dead. The security measures that I must take as Mayor will affect life locally, but I do not want fear to carry the day – that would mean victory for the terrorists.

“Kind regards, Jean Marie Brétillon, Maire of Charenton-le-Pont.”

Liz Summerson, Hilperton Marsh