THE country may be heading for Brexit but the Entente Cordiale is alive and well in Colden Common.

The village twinning association is celebrating 39 years of friendship with Saint Vigor in Normandy, making it one of the oldest in the country.

Next year, villagers will visit Saint-Vigor for the 40th anniversary which promises to be a very special occasion.

This year Colden Common arranged a visit to Petworth House, a full dinner in the community centre, a church service on the Sunday followed by a Vin d’Honneur in a member’s garden and finally an American supper in the community centre.

All of the events were thoroughly enjoyed by the visitors with many lasting friendships renewed over glasses of wine. Current political situations in both countries were discussed animatedly. The association has enjoyed many visits to this historic part of France where the D-Day landings took place and Bayeux’s association with William the Conqueror and the Bayeux Tapestry.