Carnoustie’s 30-year French connection has been celebrated by a group of stalwart figures from the Angus town’s twinning group.
And with the annual meeting of the organisation taking place this week they hope to bring more locals on board to see the link flourish in the future.
Half a dozen Carnoustie Twinning Association members made the journey to the twin towns of Maule and Aulnay-sur-Mauldre for the milestone anniversary.
They sit in Les Yvelines, south west of Paris.
Carnoustie twinned with Maule in 1992, and five years’ later forged the link with Aulnay-sur-Mauldre, just a few kilometres away.
Charter signing
Carnoustie Twinning Association chairwoman Jan Scott said a highlight was the signing of charters to reaffirm the twinning commitment.
“We spent a week as guests of members of CJMVM (Comité de Jumelage de Maule et de la Vallée de la Mauldre),” said Jan.
“We made several visits to towns in Normandy to find out more about the history and culture of the area, and to Paris.
“As it has not been possible to have any visits in the last two years, 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 heart-warming to speak to people in both of our 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.
“Many of these friendships are still active.”
So the group is keen to see new – and old – faces at their AGM in Carnoustie High School on Thursday at 7pm for 7.30pm.
“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,” Jan added.
“Without members here and in France, we are not able to offer more people the chance to get to know the opportunities that 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.”
Details about the AGM and the group can be found at www.carnoustie-twinning.org.uk
Centuries-old connection
The twinning tie emerged from the link between the French town and Panmure Estate, near Carnoustie.
The Maule clan claim descendancy from Gaurin, son of Pierre de Maule who came to Britain during the Norman invasion of 1066.
In 1138, William de Maule received lands at Fowlis in Perthshire.
And the barony of Panmure later passed into the hands of the de Maules.
The family dropped the ‘de’ in later years and simply became known as Maule.
They were closely linked to the Scottish kings and in 1646 Charles I created the Earldom of Panmure for Patrick Maule.
The estate later passed by marriage to the Earl of Dalhousie.
But it was sold by the family in 1950 to pay death duties.
Its mansionhouse was demolished in 1955 and a final sale saw the state broken up.
