French visitors keeping spirit of Europe alive in Spilsby

They arrived at the New Life Centre yesterday, where they were greeted with refreshments and handed over to their host families.

Spilsby has been twinned with Fresnay Sur Sarthe for more than 20 years and this time it is the turn of Spilsby and District Twinning Association to entertain the exchange guests.

Muriel Harrault is the secretary of the twinning association in Fresnay Sur Sarthe. It’s three years since she was last in Spilsby and she and her family are staying with Roy and Jayne Kelly.

She said: “Precious moments in life do not happen all of the time, but this is one of them. We have become great friends - they come to us and we keep in touch by email.

“We love to come and visit Lincolnshire and have made lasting friendships.

“It’s important to me that Great Britain stays in Europe. We may come from different origins but we are keeping it friendly - whatever is going on in politics.”

After today’s trip to The Deep, Roy is looking forward to tomorrow’s junior football match at Spilsby Playing Field.

The coach for Spilsby junior teams said: “We really enjoy the exchanges and the football match will certainly be a highlight for us.”

Last time the J & A Trophy went to Fresnay Sur Sarthe.

Muriel added: “Of course, they want to win the trophy back!”

Read the full story of the trip in next week’s Skegness Standard.