It was 6 O'Clock in the evening on 20 March 2020 when representatives from the Poole side of the Poole-Cherbourg Twinning Association left the town hall in Cherbourg to board the Brittany Ferries 'Barfleur'. Two hours later the French President announced a national Lockdown!Last week the special friendship or 'jumelage' was reinstated face-to face as members (including three BCP Councillors) arrived at the Ferry terminal in Poole to board the 08:30 hours crossing, the first crossing as services re-started. New Chair of the Association, Cllr Marcus Andrews explained:"We decided that we wanted to celebrate 50 years of the channel crossing between Poole and Cherbourg and reconnect after two hard years of COVID measures".Members paid for their own crossing on the ‘Barfleur’, being the first sailing out of Poole for 2 years! The Captain extended a warm welcome to all passengers as he tooted the ships horn. On arrival in the afternoon, they met with several Cherbourg representatives in the Hotel de Ville including Anna Pic and longstanding member of the Cherbourg Jumelage Charmaine Martin. After some sightseeing in the town centre the Poole delegation were taken back to the ferry port for the overnight crossing to Poole by volunteers from Maison Pour Tous Leo Legrange, Cherbourg-Octeville.The Poole-Cherbourg Twinning Association meets regularly and is planning cultural and social events in the coming months.Anyone wishing to join should Email: pooletwinning@gmail.com and you can Follow the Association's Social Media sites at:Twitter/Instagram: @pooletwinningFacebook: Poole-Cherbourg Twinning Association
