SOHAM has been officially twinned with a town in the south of France following a week of events. Dignitaries from Andrezieux-Boutheon, near Lyon, welcomed Soham town councillors and members of the Soham Twinning Association to link the two towns. The offi

SOHAM has been officially twinned with a town in the south of France following a week of events.

Dignitaries from Andrezieux-Boutheon, near Lyon, welcomed Soham town councillors and members of the Soham Twinning Association to link the two towns.

The official ceremony on Saturday began with the laying of a wreath and the playing of both country's national anthems.

Soham Town Council's vice-chairman, Cllr Fiona Ross's 12-year-old son Callum then raised the Union flag, French Tricolour and European flag.

Both countries emphasised the huge benefits to be gained by exchanges between schools, sports clubs, performing arts groups and other organisations representing all areas of life.

After an exchange of official gifts, the twinning charter was officially signed by the mayor of Andrezieux-Boutheon, Jean-Claude Schalk and Soham Town Council chairman Cllr Rosemary Aitchison.

The official twinning ceremony marked the climax of a week of activities in the French town to celebrate the link between the two communities.

Runners from Soham - Chris Scurrah, editor of Soham On-Line, Duncan Carmichael, head of PE at Soham Village College, Mark Ingham, trainee teacher at the college and Les Yorke and Wayne Bloodworth, Ely fire-fighters - travelled to the town to take part in the annual international race, Eurofoulee.

Soham Village College pupils performed song and dance routines and there was an English cinema night and a talk about English Castles and Gardens along with an English book sale.

Schoolchildren and adults in the French town were given a talk and a video presentation about Soham.

The English Week concluded with a three-hour concert led by Ely's Eel Pie Folk Band who had flown over specially for the occasion to give an evening of Gaelic song and dance, which was combined with a performance of traditional French music.

Now Soham will play host to an official delegation from Andrezieux-Boutheon for the signing of the counterpart of the Twinning Charter during the 53rd Soham Carnival and Heavy Horse Show on Bank Holiday Monday, May 29.

The week leading up to it features several events with a French flavour, forming part of Soham's French Week.