Mayor Rupert Bevan writes:

We have been fortunate, here in Radstock, to have escaped the ravages of Corona virus. Yes, there have been minor outbreaks but they were traceable and contained.

Not so in Provence, Southern France, where the mighty city of Marseille has succumbed along with many other townships and now the numbers of infections are greater than they were in April.

I mention this because not more than a few kilometres from Marseille lies our twin town, Lançon-Provence. Being a rural community, set amongst vineyards and olive groves, they are unlikely suffer as much as the neighbouring city dwellers.

This summer a deputation from Radstock was set to travel there to sign the twinning document. It has been postponed now until June of next year, by which time we can hope that the virus will be little more than an uncomfortable memory.

The good people of Lançon last visited us in December 2017. Monsieur le Maire switched on our Christmas lights and altogether he and his party had a lovely time, being much taken with Radstock.

A reciprocal visit took place during the late spring of 2018 and our hosts were unstinting in their hospitality. We were wined and dined and viewed their fascinating folk museum. That part of Provence is famous for its vin rosé And Lançon was no exception.

I do hope that Radstock residents will take advantage of the opportunities presented by the Twinning project. It could be sports fixtures, concerts and even improving language skills.