The evening was the brainchild of James Langford at The Plough as a means of developing Wrington’s culinary links with Villeneuve-lès-Béziers. Through the good offices of Yves Blérard Léglise in Villeneuve, the Twinning Association were able to invite Xavier Muraccioli, a leading Villeneuve chef to come to shadow The Plough’s resident chef, Veera. Accompanying Xavier were M le Maire, Jean-Paul Galonnier and Marie-France, Jean Bource, President of the Villeneuve Football Club, and Professor Edgar Papp and his wife Ingrid, who live 6 months of the year in Villeneuve, and 6 months in Gottingen where Prof Papp works at the university. Most of our visitors stayed at the homes of Twinning Association members - Alan & Alison Reed, Echo Irving, and John Adams, and the mayor stayed once again at Lower Stock Farm. He had also booked a hire car at the airport, which suggests he’s beginning to find his own way around, which is promising ! Having arrived on Friday afternoon, our visitors were entertained that evening by Judith & Philip Kinsman. On Saturday, after enjoying a certain rugby match on the big screen at the Golden Lion, courtesy of Phil Giorgetti, they were taken to explore Wells by Echo Irving and John Adams, at whose house they all dined in the evening. On Sunday morning a walk with Roger Owen included some key local viewpoints. They all went to John Urquhart’s house for a degustation of English wine and lunch. Alison and Alan Read took Xavier and Jean to Bristol in the afternoon. The evening’s events began with a boules match at The Plough. Then followed a fine 5-course meal, during which music was provided by guitar and bass duo and chansonniers, Pete Hawkins & Jonathan Palmer, and accordionist, John Slater. Afterwards, Edgar Papp gave a brief, illustrated introduction to Villeneuve, explaining its attractions for a retired couple from the chillier climes of northern Europe. Finally, Veera and Xavier took a bow for their extraordinary culinary efforts - and, in acknowledging their mutual respect, made their final demands on the interpreting skills of Ruth Jaffrain. www.wrington.net Click thumbnail to enlarge The weekend as seen by John Adams ... Subsequent letter from Edgar & Ingrid Papp