Tillicoultry twins
Ashleigh Burns • Published 25 Oct 2012 17:00
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Tillicoultry has been twinned with French town Creveceour Le Grand.
TILLICOULTRY has been officially twinned with French town Creveceour Le Grand in Picardy.
The project started in January, building on a sporting relationship that started at Hillfoots Rugby Club, and visits have taken place throughout the year.
A delegation from Tillicoultry, led by chair of Tillicoultry, Coalsnaughton and Devonside Community Council Jock McConville travelled to the French town to sign the official Twinning Charter in the town hall, La Marie.
The main purpose of the twinning is to foster and facilitate an exchange of cultural and sporting experiences for both the communities involved.
So far it has proved an enormous success and the French friends have enjoyed visits to Stirling Castle, Tullibardine Distillery, The Peak and Fir Park Ski Slope.
They had a fantastic time on their last trip at the Tilly in the Park concert and the Family Ceilidh at the Devonvale Hall.
The Scottish guests have been overwhelmed by the generosity shown to them by their French hosts on their trips to Creveceour.
During the last visit they were entertained by a spectacular show in the town, a Son et Lumiere (sound and lights show), where over 200 of the towns residents performed in an open air show dramatising the history of Crevecoeur.
Twinning project member Claire McKay is enthusiastic about the opportunities this project can bring.
She said, "Since becoming involved in January this year, I've made so many new friends in France. Language is not a barrier and everyone from both Tilly and Crevecoeur make so much of an effort to try and speak each others language. It's not difficult - it's actually really good fun. My two kids, who haven't really experienced another language, now have friends in another country.
"Sporting opportunities such as the football trip in June allowed 12 kids, none of whom could speak French, to play and interact with a group of French kids whose experience of English was just the same. But they played, they laughed and they made themselves understood - isn't that just great?"
Independent councillor Archie Drummond joined the celebration of the formal signing of the twinning agreement between Tillicoultry and Crevecoeur le Grand.
He commented, "In just nine months, building on the relationship started by Hillfoots Rugby Club, we have organised several exchange visits involving people of all ages from France and Scotland and that has led to the formal twinning.
"I hope that we can now build on this to facilitate even more contacts between individuals and groups in our two communities, particularly our young people who have so much to gain from these cultural exchanges."
If you want to become involved or would like further information, email cmckay72@btinternet.com or call Claire on 07840976642.
This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 24 Oct 12
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AlloaYankee
Unregistered User
Oct 26, 00:05
Report commentAfter reading in a previous issue that Tullibody was now Scotland's own version of Paris this story makes Tillicoultry look like small fry. I can't wait to have a quiet pint whilst sitting outside The Inn, enjoying the ambience that Tullibody exudes.
Ps. Many congratulations on the twinning. Both Scots and French will have a great time.
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