Saint Benoit Visit 2023

Over the October half-term, 21st-24th October, 18 members of Cookham Twinning visited Cookham’s twinned village of Saint-Benoit, near Poitiers in France. Cookham has been twinned with Saint-Benoit since 1994, but this was the first visit since 2019 because of Covid restrictions.

Visitors stayed with local French families, and, as ever, the hospitality was excellent. A varied programme of social and cultural events had been organised, and we were kept both busy and very well fed.

The first event, on the Saturday evening, was a reception in the Mairie, (Town hall), hosted by the Mayor of Saint-Benoit. The Cookham visitors presented Saint-Benoit with two copies of ‘The Wind in the Willows’, one in English and one in French, and we explained that this book was inspired by the Thames at Cookham.

The following day there was the opportunity to walk around Saint-Benoit, including a visit to the ‘Jardin de Cookham’. Saint-Benoit is a four-star, ‘Ville Fleurie’, (garden village), and takes a lot of interest in its parks, gardens and environment. The visitors and hosts met for lunch together, followed by a cello recital in the local abbey church.

On Monday the group visited the medieval town of Chauvigny, with its five ruined castles, and beautifully decorated church. The hosts had laid on good English rain for the visit! After lunch in the town, the group went on to the Macaroon Museum in Montmorillon, including tasting samples and afterwards a tour of the town.

The final evening was spent together with more good food, (and wine), with songs from a local guitarist and occasional vocal accompaniment from the Mayor. On Tuesday, the group said their farewells, and everyone now looks forward to the visit of Saint-Benoit to Cookham next October.


	Over the October half-term, 21st-24th October, 18 members of Cookham Twinning visited Cookham’s twinned village of Saint-Benoit, near Poitiers in France. Cookham has been twinned with Saint-Benoit since 1994, but this was the first visit since 2019 because of Covid restrictions. Visitors stayed with local French families, and, as ever, the hospitality was excellent. A varied programme of social and cultural events had been organised, and we were kept both busy and very well fed. The first event, on the Saturday evening, was a reception in the Mairie, (Town hall), hosted by the Mayor of Saint-Benoit. The Cookham visitors presented Saint-Benoit with two copies of ‘The Wind in the Willows’, one in English and one in French, and we explained that this book was inspired by the Thames at Cookham. The following day there was the opportunity to walk around Saint-Benoit, including a visit to the ‘Jardin de Cookham’. Saint-Benoit is a four-star, ‘Ville Fleurie’, (garden village), and takes a lot of interest in its parks, gardens and environment. The visitors and hosts met for lunch together, followed by a cello recital in the local abbey church. On Monday the group visited the medieval town of Chauvigny, with its five ruined castles, and beautifully decorated church. The hosts had laid on good English rain for the visit! After lunch in the town, the group went on to the Macaroon Museum in Montmorillon, including tasting samples and afterwards a tour of the town. The final evening was spent together with more good food, (and wine), with songs from a local guitarist and occasional vocal accompaniment from the Mayor. On Tuesday, the group said their farewells, and everyone now looks forward to the visit of Saint-Benoit to Cookham next October.

	Welcome to Saint Benoit



	Everyone of any age is welcome to join Cookham Twinning. The French will be visiting us next year, so if you want more information about Twinning call 01628 532279 or email keith_le_page@hotmail.com www.cookhamtwinning.org.uk
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