CROISSANTS and coffee, boules and baguettes – the French way of life is being celebrated in Chipping Sodbury this weekend as the town marks 30 years of links with the continent.

Sodbury and District Twinning Association became officially linked with the small town of Cesson, south east of Paris, in 1979 after friendships were forged by aircraft workers sent to work on Concorde.

The idea of becoming twin towns was soon suggested and in May 1979 a charter was signed by dignitaries of both Chipping Sodbury and Cesson.

Colin Hatfield, the first chairman of the association, said: "We had three young children and I thought it might be interesting so I went to the first meeting and ended up as chairman.

"Our children made great friends and they have kept them to this day.

"Their French improved too and my daughter Jane went on to do a degree in the language.

"It was a good family thing to do and we are still involved. It is really worth going on."

Thirty years since the first visit to Cesson, the twinning has seen one marriage and some emigrations, hundreds of visits and a lot of fun. Tennis players from Chipping Sodbury, a judo club in Yate and music societies have all been to the continent to play concerts or tournaments with their French counterparts.

Schoolchildren have benefited from the partnership too as Chipping Sodbury School used to run an exchange programme and Katherine Lady Berkeley's School still sends pupils to Cesson.

Association vice-chairman Ann Clements said: "It was going to end three years ago because of dwindling numbers but it has been built up again.

"We have a lot of new French and English families but we still need the younger element to get involved."

She said three primary schools, St John’s Mead in Chipping Sodbury, St Mary’s in Yate and Fromebank Junior School in Yate, were interested in starting penpal schemes with the schools in and around Cesson.

Next month’s Chipping Sodbury Festival has adopted a French theme to mark the 30th anniversary of the town twinning.

A French contingent of 60 visitors is due to arrive this Saturday (10.30am) for a two-day celebratory weekend.

A barn dance and party is being held at the town hall on Saturday (7.30pm) and an anniversary buffet will be served at Jacksons Social Club, Station Road, Yate on Sunday with entertainment from local music groups.

The twinning association will hand over a commemorative photograph book to officials from Cesson to mark their visit.

Added Mrs Clements: "We have had a lot more people involved this year because it is a special year.

"The link with Cesson is an important part of our identity as a community. We are hoping to keep the momentum going for future years."