This year in August Bideford celebrated 50 years of twinning with Landivisiau in Brittany, Northern France. A reception was held in the Pannier Market to mark the occasion. It was a delight to see friends greeting each other. The speeches were valiantly given in both languages by the mayors and twinning officials of the towns. What was the surprise we were all waiting for? It was a masterstroke, the Bideford Pipe Band. Bagpipes are also very popular traditional instruments in Western France.

There are many other similarities between the two communities. Firstly, regarding the climate, both are described as having maritime or oceanic climates with average annual temperatures of 11 degrees. Landivisiau has slightly more rainfall 1,160mm compared with 990 here, but pretty wet for both.

Both towns are ancient in origin, Landivisiau was first documented in 1292 with the name meaning Saint Thivisiau’s hermitage. Bideford was surveyed in the Domesday Book of 1086, with the name meaning ‘Bida’s Ford’ or ‘by the ford’.

Landivisiau is the historical capital of the Breton horse, holding important regional horse fairs. Bideford was one of England’s busiest ports in the 17^th Century.

Bideford’s Boys Grammar school was probably founded in the late 16^th Century and formally endowed in 1689. Many communities had schools founded to educate poor boys. Landivisiau, more unusually, had a girls’ school by the end of the 16^th Century.

What of their places in political events? Several residents of Landivisiau participated in the American Revolutionary War 1775-1783 (against the English). The region did not escape the turbulence of the French Revolution, with supporters taking control and renaming streets, and opponents losing their heads to the guillotine. Bideford featured in the English Civil War – Parliament led by Oliver Cromwell, against King Charles I. Bideford was on the Parliamentary side as were many merchants and traders. Forts were built at Chudleigh in East-The-Water and on high ground in Appledore to defend the river approaches. Battles between Parliamentary Bideford and Royalist Torrington eventually were won by the Parliamentarians.

So much in common; so many similar experiences.

All in all, nothing but good has come out of the town twinning arrangements made all over the country since World War II. You can’t help thinking what a shame it was that we couldn’t find a way to make these same links with Russian towns.  Perhaps Europe would not be in its current mess had we done so.