Twinning association members visit Brittany for first time since Covid pandemic

Members of the Caerphilly and District Twinning Association have visited Brittany for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Caerphilly has been twinned with the Breton town of Lannion since 1991, while Llanbradach has been twinned with Ploubezre, which is about two miles from Lannion, since 1994.

The twinning arrangement, which was set up by the association, sees visitors from both Caerphilly and Brittany visit each other on alternating years.

Following a two-year break during the pandemic, Bretons visited Caerphilly last year after restrictions were lifted.

This year, it was the turn of the Welsh visitors to head across the English Channel to Brittany, in western France.

Like Wales, Brittany has a strong Celtic identity. Brittany also has its own language, Breton, which shares some similarities to Welsh.

Brittany’s national anthem, Bro Gozh ma Zadoù, shares the same tune as Wales’ anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.

While in Brittany, association members were treated to the usual hospitality from their hosts, who had arranged visits to places of interest in the area.

Among these places was the site of a former Roman baths, as well as the town of Morlaix – where they visited a large former tobacco factory that has since been converted into a cultural centre.

Each year, a boules tournament is played as part of the twinning arrangement – with Brittany lifting the Cy Collins trophy this year, named after a former member of the association.

The visitors also had the opportunity to witness a substantial renovation programme, valued around 2 million Euros, on the 15th Century Chapelle de Kerfons in Ploubezre, funded by local and European money.

Llanbradach councillor Colin Mann, who is chair of the association, said: “We always welcome new members. Anyone interested can visit our website or contact me via Facebook Messenger or 07500057096.”