Pupils to represent Craven in France (From Craven Herald)

Pupils to represent Craven in France

1:30pm Thursday 7th June 2012 in News

A group of Skipton students is off to France for a Europe-wide event - after the host city’s twin town was unable to attend.

The ten students from Ermysted’s and Skipton Girls High School, and two teachers, will spend a long weekend in historic Troyes, near Paris, at the end of the month.

The group, which will also include former Craven District Council chairman Coun Andy Quinn, will take part in a celebration of youth involving several different European cities.

The trip will also include civic receptions and the group will take part in a market where they will be able to present the best of Craven as part of the joint aim to boost tourism and business between France and Britain.

Organiser Peter Wales, of Bowerley Cottage Holidays, Langcliffe, said the all expenses paid trip had only been possible because Chesterfield, Troyes twin town, had not been able to attend. The students, who will fly to Troyes from Leeds Bradford Airport, will stay with host families throughout the trip.

All expenses will be paid for by the French town, with just a modest contribution towards travelling costs.

“There will be an action packed programme including civic ceremonies, international youth workshops on citizenship, tours, music, dance and sporting events,” said Mr Wales.

He said of equal importance would be the emphasis on tourism and business, with each participating town able to showcase its attractions and local products. The trip is being supported by Welcome to Yorkshire, which is providing promotional material, and Whitakers Chocolates, but Mr Wales said he would be delighted to hear from other businesses who would like to be represented.

“Each country will be provided with a large stand immediately adjacent to the bustling Troyes indoor and outdoor market on its busiest market day,” said Mr Wales. The former teacher, learned about the opportunity through contacts in France. “I saw it as a way of benefiting the schools. The trip has everything - educational, social and cultural value for the students and a real opportunity to foster future business and tourism exchanges - and it is virtually free.”

The trip is a one-off only made possible by Chesterfield not going. Troyes has organised the event through European funding in an attempt to develop productive links with the UK.

A group of 30 students from Skipton’s official French twin-town of Erquinghem-Lys, near Lille, will be visiting Skipton in July. They will be spending just over a week in and around the town. It will be the second visit by students from the French town since the twinning charter was signed two years ago.

Anyone who would like to be represented in Troyes can contact Peter Wales at bowerleycottages.co.uk