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St Benoit Visits Cookham 2024

26-28 October 2024

Twenty-one French visitors from Cookham's twinned village of SaintBenoit enjoyed some local hospitality over the weekend of 26th 28th October, with several events in a crowded schedule. The visitors stayed with local families, who were organised so that conversations could flow in either French or English.

The weekend started with a reception hosted by the Chairman of Cookham Parish Council, Bill Perry, and attended by the Mayor of Saint-Benoit, Bernard Peterlongo, and by the Deputy Mayor of Windsor and Maidenhead, Mandy Brar. The visitors received copies of the 'Discover Cookham'books, with a challenge to find several of the locations on the following day.

A highlight of the visit was a visit to Blenheim Palace, (celebrating the victory of the English over the French at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704), and then on to the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. One evening was taken up by a skittles evening and Fish and Chip supper at Flackwell Heath Bowling Club, and another by a great display from Datchet Border Morris, with hosts and visitors being encouraged to participate in a Morris Dance together.

Cookham and Saint-Benoit formally started their Twinning link in 1994, so this was the 30th anniversary of the start of the connection. A group from Cookham will be visiting Saint-Benoit in October next year, and there are frequent links between the two villages.

www.cookhamtwinning.org.uk

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