During the first weekend of August, Raglan welcomed for a three-night stay a party of 18 adults and three children from Parcé-sur-Sarthe, a pretty village near Le Mans, with which it has been officially twinned since 2012.

A tour of Raglan and its castle on Friday afternoon was followed by a welcoming supper in the Old School with fish and chips from the Raglan Fryer and home-made desserts. Our guests were greeted with ‘Autumn Leaves’ sung in French by a choir under Andrew Morton, specially formed for the occasion. Its efforts were much appreciated by the French who later joined enthusiastically in communal singing in both languages.

Saturday was spent at the Llanthony and District Show. Before entry to this charming, small-scale event in its dramatic setting in the Vale of Ewyas, the French were treated to a tour of Llanthony Abbey by the owner of the showground, Colin Passmore.

Refreshed by a quiet evening at home with their hosts, the French went the next morning to Tredegar House for a guided tour which, as lovers of British stately homes and gardens, they much enjoyed. A different kind of pleasure awaited in the garden of Liz and Doug Hepburn: a cream tea, followed by an introduction to croquet. The French took to this game so quickly that they were able to win the ensuing match between the Welsh and the French. A tapas evening at The Beaufort in Raglan with delightful piano playing by Lucy Merritt rounded off our French guests’ stay.

Plans are now afoot for a return visit to Parcé in 2021. Anyone interested in taking part in this enriching experience should contact [email protected]

Stephen Edwards (President, Raglan Twinning Committee)