Taste That

Soham s twin town, Andrezieux-Boutheon, hosted a ceremony to mark the signing of the twinning agreement with Italian town, Chiusi. Seven people represented Soham in the celebrations in the western French town, near Saint-Etienne, over the weekend of June

Soham's twin town, Andrezieux-Boutheon, hosted a ceremony to mark the signing of the twinning agreement with Italian town, Chiusi.

Seven people represented Soham in the celebrations in the western French town, near Saint-Etienne, over the weekend of June 29 to July 2.

Stands representing Italy, Portugal and Germany stood on the banks of the River Loire.

Soham's contribution was a marquee set up as a traditional English pub, called The Railway.

Two Soham representatives, Stephen Frost and Roy Pallett, served behind the bar dressed as Laurel and Hardy and the pub featured darts, dominoes and crisps and two barrels of beer from the Fenland Brewery.

Graham Steward, of Eel Pie fame, performed English folk songs at an open air concert.

On the Sunday morning Mr Steward entertained residents of a local care home.

The festivities continued with a buffet lunch and sight-seeing trips around the town and countryside.

Soham's Twinning Association chairwoman, Ann Pallett, and president of Soham's Festival Society, Peter Beer, co-ordinated Soham's contribution to the ceremony and Rosemary Aitchinson represented Soham Town Council.

Mr Steward said: "It was a truly splendid weekend. We were royally hosted by local French families, cementing the friendship established at Soham's twinning with Andrezieux-Boutheon a year ago and a great time was had by all."

Pictured are Steve Frost and Roy Pallett as Laurel and Hardy at the bar of The Railway pub.