From the Chairman 
Welcome to the Lingfield and District Twinning Association Website.
Lingfield has been twinned with Plaisance du Touch, in the south of France near Toulouse, since the 1970’s. Many visits to and from Plaisance have taken place over the years and long-standing friendships have been formed during this time. We alternate visits on a yearly basis and try to encourage other groups in and around Lingfield to either come with us or organise a visit of their own.
We are always looking for new host families as we would like to “spread the word” on how enjoyable a visit can be. We take great pride in showing our visitors the English countryside, our history and the English way of life and we get to know our guests on a personal basis. When we go to Plaisance we are shown what goes on in and around the area, which is very different from our own, and they entertain us in great style, both within a family and as a group. We either try out our French on them or they try their English on us and even if neither side speak a great deal of each other’s language it’s amazing how much you can communicate! For anyone with a greater knowledge of the language, what better way to improve it than by talking as a family – you certainly learn a lot more than you would by just visiting a tourist spot and asking for a beer! Our visits to and from Plaisance have inspired some of our members to learn French in order to make themselves better understood. We have also had school children trying out what they have learnt and this has encouraged them too to continue with their studies with more enthusiasm. What more could we ask – this is the aim of twinning – to establish relationships in another country and to get to know and better understand a way of life other than our own.
Lingfield & District Twinning Association is very friendly and welcomes new members. Our next visit is in October 2008 to support the Lingfield Silver Band which has been invited to play in a concert in Plaisance. If you would like to join us, please do not hesitate to get in touch – it promises to be a very enjoyable weekend and you will be made most welcome, by both Lingfield and Plaisance du Touch Twinning Associations.
Chairman
