The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Twin town link is oui bit special
Carnoustie’s 30-year French connection has been celebrated by a group of stalwart figures from the Angus town’s twinning group. They now hope to bring more locals on board to see the link flourish in the future.
Six members of Carnoustie Twinning Association made the journey to the towns of Maule and Aulnay-sur-mauldre for the milestone anniversary last month.
Carnoustie twinned with Maule in 1992 then, five years later, forged a link with nearby Aulnaysur-mauldre, west of Paris.
Association chairwoman Jan Scott said the signing of charters to reaffirm the commitment was a highlight of the trip.
She said: “We made several visits to towns in Normandy to find out more about the history and culture, and to Paris.
“The warmth of our welcome and the planning of the French committee on the programme of events was, as ever, very much appreciated by all who took part.
“It was heartwarming to speak to people in both twin towns who hold fond memories of friends they have made both in France and in Carnoustie over the years the twinning has been in place.”
The group is keen to see new – and old – faces at its AGM in Carnoustie High School tonight at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.
Jan added: “We are particularly encouraging people who have been members in the past and are still in contact with friends in Maule and Aulnay to rejoin CTA.
“Without members, we are not able to offer more people the chance to get to know the opportunities twinning offers.
“At a time when there are so many challenges on both sides of the Channel, twinning offers a fabulous opportunity to get to know our French neighbours.”
The tie emerged from the link between the French town and Panmure Estate, near Carnoustie.
The Maule clan claim to have descended from Gaurin, the son of Pierre de Maule who came to Britain during the Norman invasion of 1066.
In 1138, William de Maule received lands at Fowlis, Perthshire, and the barony of Panmure later passed into the hands of the De Maules.
The family dropped the ‘de’ in later years. They had close links to the Scottish kings and, in 1646, Charles I created the Earldom of Panmure for Patrick Maule.
For details about the group, see www.carnoustie-twinning.org.uk