For Francophile Kathy Walton, Chorleywood Town Twinning Association couldn’t have been a better organization to join. It not only brings regular tasters of all things French but leads to lasting friendships and inexpensive family holidays unlike any other. Kathy answers our questions about the scheme
What’s the basis of the organization?
Chorleywood has been twinned with Dardilly, a small town near Lyon (France’s best kept secret) for nearly a decade.
So how does the scheme work?
The committee members will try to match compatible families. Our first family had three girls like us and even had a set of twins as we do!
Who tends to join?
Everybody from single people to retired couples and families but we are keen to involve more families with children.
Would we have to have the family back to stay with us and how would we entertain them?
You don’t necessarily need to return the hospitality and if you do you can leave a family to their own devices. But we couldn’t be better placed for day trips being so close to London and places like Windsor, Old Amersham and Old Beaconsfield.
Are the trips to Dardilly regular?
Trips (over there and over here) are generally arranged in Easter and October school holidays or over May bank holiday weekends , though some Chorleywood people sort their own visits in, say, August or may tack it on to a longer family holiday in France. The French rarely come back here in August as they are reluctant to risk bad weather for their main summer holiday! The extent you mix with the group is up to you. You can go under your own steam if you prefer and you don’t need to go every time.
Do you need to speak French?
People are sometimes frightened if they don’t speak the language but school French comes back really quickly. It’s not necessary although we do have a conversation group if you want to give it a go. There’s a lot of free time and you can mix with other Brits. The communication between young children is amazing. They just get on with it and don’t tend to ask parents what to say.
How easy is it to get to Dardilly?
The great thing is that you can go by train from St Pancras to Lyon, you can drive ( 7 hours from Calais) or fly – you can get cheap flights with Easy Jet from Stansted, BA from Heathrow.
Should you hire a car when you arrive?
Dardilly is on a good bus route into Lyon city centre but if you want to explore the surrounding areas, a hire car is a good idea.. Lake Annecy and the Beaujolais wine villages are within 2 hours drive.
What’s so good about Lyon?
There’s a city park, museums, an olde world town and lots of great shops. It’s the gastronomic centre of France where chefs do their training and a few famous chefs have their flagship restaurants there including Paul Bocuse.
Is it tricky staying with a family you don’t know?
We all love it.. you just muck in with sleeping bags and sofa beds – great fun. It’s a cheap way to holiday too!
Is there much organised?
The host organization bends over backwards to arrange outings – the first time we went to a safari park but you get a lot of free time . All excursions are optional. There’s always one soiree with a band /joint meal in their town hall and our Memorial Hall.
We raise money for this by holding functions throughout the year – quizzes, barn dances, wine tasting and these are also perfect opportunities for anybody interested to find out more.