COLEFORD is considering twinning with the French town of St Hilaire-de-Riez.

Paul Kay, mayor of Coleford, recently met with the officials of St Hilaire-de-Riez who are unanimously in agreement over the possibility of twinning with Coleford.

Coun Kay told members of Coleford Town Council at its recent meeting that he sees twinning as the way forward.

“But it’s up to us locally to make it work,” said Coun Kay.

“There is European funding available to make initiatives like this work. However a committee, independent of the town council, would need to be formed.

“If the town’s people of Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez had their way the twinning arrangement would be already be inforce.

“But the reality of the situation is that March would be the earliest date a formal twinning arrangement could be conducted and any agreement would have to be cost neutral as far as the town council goes.”

Coleford Town Council has already consulted with members of Monmouth Twinning Association, which has been connected with the French town of Carbonne for the past 40 years.

Coun Kay concluded: “This is a magnificent opportunity for us to promote the Coleford in France and in the long term I see it generating an increase in tourism and business opportunities alike.”

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