COLEFORD is firmly on the map of its French twin after a newly constructed area was named in honour of the French town.

A part of the town centre in St Hilaire-de-Riez in western France has been named Coleford Square.

The square is located next to the town’s church, mayoral offices and the “mediatheque”, the town’s library and multimedia centre, so it is very much at the centre of community activities.

Mayor of Coleford, Nick Penny, councillors from both towns and members of both twinning associations joined the mayor of St Hilaire de Riez, Kathia Viel, for the official opening.

Earlier this year the Coleford Twinning Association hosted a 10-year celebration meal of the link between the two town at the Speech House Hotel, which was prepared by chefs who came across from St Hilaire de Riez.

It is hoped that chefs from the Speech House Hotel will be able to reciprocate, by preparing an English meal for members of the Association Exchanges Franco-Brittaniques, the twinning association of St Hilaire de Riez.

There are also plans to partner Coleford schools with schools in St Hilaire.

One local primary school, has already begun getting their pupils to exchange letters with their French peers.

The twinning partnership has brought together members of both communities, as well as facilitating sports matches between teams.

Youth teams from Berry Hill Rugby Club and Rugby Club Saint Hilaire Ocean have been playing matches each year since 2018

There have also been petanque matches, the French game with similarities to bowls.

The Angus Buchanan Bowls Club hosts petanque games each Sunday morning for residents who may like to have a go themselves.

The Coleford-St Hilaire Twinning Association hosts many activities including conversational French.

For more information visit www.colefordtwinning.org or contact Iain Baird at [email protected]