Twinning guests add a Breton flavour to Torrington Mayfair events
Torrington has hosted 11 guests from Brittany in France as part of the town’s twinning links with Roscoff
There was a Breton flavour to this year’s Great Torrington Mayfair as the town’s twinners welcomed some of their counterparts from Brittany in France.
Torrington is twinned with Roscoff and the visit of 11 Bretons was hosted by the local members of the Torrington Roscoff Exchange Group (TREG).
The Bretons were officially welcomed by the then Mayor, Councillor Phil Cloke at the town hall and were present at all the Mayfair events including the crowning of the May Queen, the Round the Tree Race and the Fancy Dress Music Festival walking carnival.
They enjoyed the opportunity to relax in Torrington’s pubs and cafes and their hosts also took them on visits to Bideford, Appledore and Instow.
On the eve of their departure the Breton guests joined a bring-and-share supper party held at the Scout Hall in Gas Lane.
It transpired several of the guests were accomplished musicians and they had brought their instruments - diatos (accordians), bombardes and binioùs (Breton folk oboes and bagpipes), so the evening enjoyed plenty of entertainment.
In return, they were treated to some English folk music and dancing, with Winkleigh Morris providing the dancing and local musicians Liz Nabb, Rob Darch, Mark Knott and John Golightly providing the sound.
Jay Nicholson, chair of TREG, said: “The Morris dancers invited us and the Bretons to join in a stick dance. The Bretons also entertained us and demonstrated their own style of circle dancing.
“As the evening wore on, Bretons and Winkleigh Morris combined and we all danced and played together.”
The visitors’ last day was spent on some local sightseeing, a traditional Sunday roast and one last treat, a Devonshire cream tea, before boarding their bus for Plymouth and ferry home to Brittany.
Mr Nicholson added: “I think I can safely say that the visit was a huge success and relationships between Torrington and Roscoff have been strengthened and we can look forward to some reciprocal visits in the near future.”