Twinning is “alive and well” in Musselburgh as visitors from Musselburgh’s French twin town Champigny-sur-Marne enjoyed a variety of activities during a recent stay in the local area.

As guests of Musselburgh Twinning Association, the six-strong group were met by Betty Irving and Brenda Woods at Edinburgh Airport, before having lunch at the home of Kathryn McKenzie.

A tour of the transport exhibition with Barry Turner, organiser and Musselburgh Twinning Association president, then followed, and a visit to the garden at Shepherd House at Inveresk was enjoyed.

Two representatives of the Chœur des Migrateurs (choir) Dominique Bonavita and Jérôme Boudin-Clausel stayed at the Kings Manor Hotel while committee members Nicole Chérence and Danielle Lurier stayed with Kathryn and Kenny McKenzie, and Nicole and Jean-Claude Perron with Mr Turner and his wife Rosemary.

Dinner was held at the Kings Manor, which was attended by East Lothian Provost Councillor John McMillan.

A meeting was held at the Hollies Community Hub to discuss future exchange visits between the two towns, with the Chœur des Migrateurs expected to visit Musselburgh in April 2025.

Young rugby players and footballers from Musselburgh are planning to visit Champigny in 2025.

The French party got the chance to see inside the new Rosehill High School at Wallyford with a tour led by headteacher Gail Preston, before relaxing with a game of pétanque or boules at Newtongrange with members of Dalkeith Twinning Association.

Mrs Irving, a member of the Musselburgh twinning committee, and her husband Ian then held a social evening at their home. Games of pétanque took place at Haddington, with lunch at the Waterside afterwards.

Provost McMillan showed the French visitors around nearby St Mary’s Parish Church and they also got the chance to relax in the Lamp of Lothian garden at Haddington House before travelling to Glenkinchie Distillery near Pencaitland.

The French guests travelled to North Berwick for a picnic before returning home. Mr Turner later said town twinning was “alive and well in Musselburgh”.