Burnley Twinning members promise 'we'll meet again' with French friends

A planned visit in early May should have seen a party of 30 members travel over to France to stay with members of Burnley’s twinned town, Vitry-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris.

Obviously the visit had to be cancelled but this hasn’t stopped them keeping in touch with their friends across the Channel and vice versa.

A regular newsletter with photos goes out to all members, and a translated copy is sent to Vitry.

Meanwhile, the Jumelage of Vitry have sent information back about their members and what they are up to during their lockdown.

David Smith, chairman, said: "Lots of photos from France have been sent. One particularly poignant one came from Jean and Francoise Carrara, both in their 80s, of their granddaughter who is working in a Paris hospital.

"Two other friends, Gerard and Jacqueline Le Nezet, sent a photo of them enjoying a bottle of bubbly on their terrace to celebrate Gerard’s birthday. Everyone is doing their bit over there as many volunteers are in Burnley, and we thank them for all their efforts.

"One lady, Brigitte, although in her 70s herself, is shopping for two friends aged 92 and 94. Carole is sewing rainbow coloured fabric masks to distribute to family and friends.

"Everyone is hoping that the planned and postponed visit will be able to take place next year, and hopefully a party of ramblers from Vitry will come to Burnley in September 2021.

"We will then all be able to enjoy again the wider beautiful countryside around our town and renew friendships once more.

"In the meantime all members of Burnley Twinning say 'Keep safe, keep well and we’ll meet again, soon!'"