French friends in town

A 21-strong party from the town near Paris spent four days staying with local families - reinforcing old friendships and forging new ones too.

Deborah Russell, the Kilsyth Meulan Twinning Association Fundraising manager, said: “There were quite a few new faces this time around which was good. Obviously when you don’t know someone and they come to stay in your house it can all be a bit daunting - but it worked out really well.”

She added: “Obviously you can’t plan the weather but we were exceptionally lucky. The funny thing was that the weather hadn’t been that good in France either the week before the trip but some of our visitors came back with sunburn!”

As well as a social evening at Colzium House, the party enjoyed a civic reception at The Coachman Hotel, visited Glasgow and had a barge trip on the Forth and Clyde Canal.

Next year, Kilsythians will visit Meulan to experience more Gallic hospitality and celebrate their own Auld Alliance yet again.