This summer, Shilbottle, a village in Northumberland, is preparing to celebrate 60 years of friendship with its neighbouring counterpart, the French village of Héry in Burgundy.
The partnership began in 1964 when residents from Héry first visited Shilbottle. Since then, the two villages, united by a shared industrial history, have maintained a strong connection through numerous visits and exchanges.
Gill Bray, chair of the Amicale Héry-Shilbottle Association, reflected on this long-standing bond. “Reaching a 60-year connection is a remarkable feat for our villages,” she said. “We have participants from the original 1960s visits who are still active today, alongside multiple generations involved on both sides.”
The friendship was initiated in 1963 by June Raynal, a Northumberland native who married a Frenchman and moved to Héry. She negotiated a friendship treaty between the villages, leading to 48 exchange trips and over 1,000 people crossing the Channel in both directions.
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On July 16, around 20 visitors from Héry will arrive in Shilbottle. The itinerary includes visits to Bamburgh Castle, the Aln Valley Railway, and an anniversary lunch at Eshott Hall.
Bray emphasised the enduring nature of these relationships: “For 60 years, families have shared their lives across borders, and not even the Covid pandemic disrupted this connection. We anticipate many more exchanges in the years to come.”
The post Village To Mark 60 Years of friendship with neighbours appeared first on Guardian Nigeria News.
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