France/ The twinning between Baron-sur-Odon and Chittlehampton celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026

The Franco-English twinning committee between Baron-sur-Odon (Calvados) and Chittlehampton (England) celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026. Véronique Collet, president, and Régine Guérin, secretary, take a look back over the association's forty-year history.

Interview with Véronique Collet, president of the Baron-sur-Odon - Chittlehampton twinning committee, and Régine Guérin, secretary.

How did the twinning committee with Chittlehampton, in Devon, England, come about?

Véronique Collet. The association was set up in 1986, the brainchild of Marie-Laure Delaunay, the first president, and Gérard Maheut, mayor of Baron-sur-Odon (Calvados). It was a time when all communes were twinning up. The choice fell on Chittlehampton, in Devon, south-west England.

Régine Guérin. A charter is signed every ten years. This year, we're hosting the English for the anniversary.

V. C. We receive the English every other year and go there the other years. Families spend time together and alone with each other. We have around 25 families, a number that has been falling over the last ten years. Twinning appeals less to the forty-somethings: entertaining has a cost and requires space to accommodate.

R. G. We have less and less funding, but we organize events all year round to finance our exchanges: galette des Rois, tartiflette evenings, garage sales (on June 7 this year) and an autumn event every two or three years. The more people attend, the cheaper the trips.

What will twinning mean in 2026?

What's the program for the ^40th anniversary?

V. C. From August 20 to 24, 2026, we'll be welcoming around 40 English guests on Thursday evenings. On Friday morning, we'll be inviting all residents to sign the renewed charter at 11am. The day continues with a barbecue and games. Saturday will be free for families, and we'll be visiting Normandy by bus on Sunday. We make a point of highlighting the region, its culture and local products.

R. G. This year, we still have one couple to find a host family for.

How can I join the association?

V. C. Interested families can contact the town hall. The membership fee is €20 per family per year. There is no obligation to go to Chittlehampton or to receive families. There are no prerequisites for hosting, not even the ability to speak English. Everyone's on their own, and it's a lot of fun too.

Sunday June 7, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., garage sale organized by the Baron-sur-Odon - Chittlehampton twinning committee at the sports ground, rue des Frênes in Baron-sur-Odon. Information: jumelageanglaisbaron14@gmail.com

Source: www.ouest-france.fr/