Town aiming to forge twinning link with Bergerac

Mayors Alex Stennett (L) and Jonathan Prioleaud met to discuss formalising the twinning of Dursley and Bergerac

A Gloucestershire town is hoping to become the first in the country to be twinned with Bergerac in France.

Five visitors from the French town, which is in the Dordogne region in the south west, have visited Dursley on the first official visit between the two towns.

A delegation from Dursley will visit Bergerac in September to sign the twinning agreement.

"I'm very encouraged by the positive response we have received from a wide range of people living in the community, starting with some activities of common interest, including sport and music," said Keith Tibbitts, interim chair of the Dursley-Bergerac Committee.

"Historically we have a large British and English-speaking community in and around the Bergerac area," the mayor of Bergerac, Jonathan Prioleaud, told BBC Gloucestershire.

"Twinning is first and foremost born of the dynamics of the people living here."

On the recent visit, the French delegation was shown round a vineyard in Woodchester.

"It was very interesting to share our ideas on how wine is grown and produced, especially in view of climate change, and how wine is commercialised and sold," Mr Prioleaud added.

Resident, Jenny Culverwell, said Dursley was a "hidden gem"

Mayor of Dursley, Alex Stennett, said the prospect of being twinned with Bergerac was exciting for the community.

"We spent the day finding out what we have in common and what we have to learn from each other," he said.

"It's been a lot of fun drinking a bit of wine and enjoying the countryside.

"Now the real work starts; introducing the schools to each other, the choirs, the sporting teams, the associations," added Mr Stennett.

Laurence Bryant (L) of Dursley Male Voice Choir, and Magnus Carter, of Tyndale Choral Society, hope to make connections with choirs in Bergerac

Dursley resident, Jenny Culverwell, described the town as a "hidden gem".

"People tend to think of Wotton-under-Edge or Moreton-in-Marsh, so it's good that a different place has been put on the map.

"Size-wise, I don't think we compare with Bergerac at all, but it's not about that, it's about having different synergies and finding strains in common, like sporting and musical things, and hopefully, education."

Laurence Bryant, chairman of Dursley Male Voice Choir, said the twinning would provide opportunities to link up with French choirs.

"There's nothing to bring people together quite as successfully as music. Many people are really keen to get out there and join in this amazing adventure," he added.