A GROUP of 18 visitors from the French town of Saint Renan were warmly welcomed when they visited Watchet last week on their bi-annual visit hosted by Watchet Twinning Society.

The two towns have been exchanging twinning visits for 47 years.

Undeterred by wet weather, the visitors were taken on tours of the area which included visits to Minehead Lifeboat Station and Fairfield House, in Stogursey, which has been in the ownership of the same family since the 12th century.

The visitors were shown around by owner John Acland, who recounted stories of the various activities of his family over the centuries, and then toured the extensive gardens.

Another highlight was a visit to the County Classic Motor Museum, in Taunton.

The visit culminated in a dinner at the Minehead Golf Club, when the chairmen of Watchet and Saint Renan Twinning Societies, Marilyn Binding and Patrick Bligny, toasted the twinning link and looked forward to a reciprocal visit next year.

Watchet Twinning Society was founded in 1976.

Originally a Normandy location was suggested, but there were concerns about distance and travel times.

The Brittany town of St Renan was looking for a suitable partner in the Westcountry and an official twinning was formed.

Since then, the aim to foster mutual friendship and understanding has been achieved with alternate annual visits between the two communities.

A Watchet Twinning Society spokesperson said: “St Renan is situated just north of the city of Brest, with countryside very similar to that of Cornwall.

“We organise social and fund-raising events throughout the year that bring members together as well as raising our profile.

“Thus, we are able to entertain our French friends in a suitable manner.

“We are also looking to engage with and recruit younger members of the community who, we are sure, would benefit from these contacts.”