It is 360 miles -580 kilometres - due south in the middle of France, and stands as a gift from the people of Theillay, to mark a decade of a happy twinning association between the Somerset and Loir-et-Cher villages.
Stowey’s twinners made the Easter weekend trip from Nether Stowey to Theillay by coach and night ferry. They were able to spend an enjoyable few hours in Chartres exploring the magnificent medieval cathedral and enjoying the pavement cafés and restaurants on a sunny Good Friday. On arrival in Theillay, the Somerset guests were given a very hospitable reception before being whisked off by their French hosts to a weekend en famille.
The next evening, the twinning party assembled in Theillay's central square to see the unveiling of a milestone recording the distances between the two villages. Corinne Devailly, president of Theillay's twinning committee, spelt out the importance of encouraging the relationships and meetings between the French and English communities.
She recalled that Joyce Standring, the then Chairman of Nether Stowey Parish Council, and Gerard Chopin, who was and still is Theillay's Mayor, started the association in 1996, with visits beginning the following year, since when stronger links have been forged between the two communities. In October 1998, the people of Theillay gave Nether Stowey the milestone that stands at the entrance to our village. Now its twin stands in Theillay next to the red telephone box that was donated by Nether Stowey.
Last year, on the French visit to us, the visitors were thrilled to find a Theillay Close. Now there is a Nether Stowey Car Park -Espace Nether Stowey - in Theillay. The evening continued with an indoor picnic and music.
On Easter Day the visit officially ended with some tense mind-bending board games as both communities competed for the Twinning Cup. This year Theillay won it. In the eight years of the cup competitions, Nether Stowey and Theillay now stand neck and neck. On Easter Monday morning, guests and hosts made their departures, looking forward to 1-4 May 2008 when Stowey will play host.
We are now planning how to match Theillay’s high level of hospitality.
Christopher & Thomas Evans
playing for Nether Stowey
Theillay's stream
Theillay does have a stream, picturesque but not as challenging for pedestrians as Stowey’s.
written by John Webb
