Whitchurch and Goring Heath Twinning Association

WHITCHURCH and Goring Heath are twinned with the pretty village of La Bouille, which is situated on the edge of the River Seine about 20km south-west of Rouen.

Like us, it is at the top and bottom of a hill and it, too, has a toll across the river, which is called the Bac De La Bouille.

There are enduring “Entente Cordiale” relations between the villages where family friendships have blossomed. The inception of our first association was established in 1978 when we first visited with the church choir and the Rev Richard Hughes.

We are now looking for new members, both young and old, who will be most welcome to join us and share and enjoy a delightful experience.

Our next visit to La Bouille is scheduled for the bank holiday weekend of May 3 to 6.

Our French friends will return to us in May 2025 when we will act as hosts.

In the past we have travelled by coach to France via Dover-Calais or Portsmouth overnight to Caen, which is our preferred route this time.

We are allocated host families, welcomed by the Maire with both French and English speeches, a champagne reception and a banquet dinner.

Our hosts arrange visits to interesting venues. Over the years, we have visited Paris, Monet’s Garden at Giverny, various Chateaux, Honfleur, Fecamp Palais Bénédictine Monastery in Rouen (Joan of Arc) and the cathedral with stunning stained glass windows.

For information, call Peter Ferguson on 07557 383634.

Peter Ferguson