The two communities signed a twinning agreement in September 2010 in the first such partnership between the Island and the French department, all the other parishes having previously established partnerships with towns or villages in Normandy. As well as being twinned with Avranches, St Helier is also partnered with the German town of Bad Wurzach and Funchal in Madeira.
St Clement Constable Len Norman is keen for parishioners to join him when Cancale celebrates its annual carnival in May. The event has been held for more than 100 years.
He said: ‘Following a very successful visit to Cancale by parishioners last May for the international pétanque competition, we will be returning from Friday 18 to Sunday 21 May to participate in Cancale’s carnival weekend.
‘The programme will involve a friendly pétanque match on the Friday afternoon, followed by their “interville” [twinning] games on the Saturday. The twinning committee is seeking reasonably fit parishioners aged between ten to 80 to take part in these fun team games.
‘On the Sunday, there will be a procession of floats through the streets of Cancale and St Clement will be entering a small trailer, mainly decorated by contributions from students at Le Rocquier School, and parish bunting in this three-hour procession.’
Cancale lies along Britanny’s emerald coast to the east of St Malo. It is a picturesque fishing port popular with visitors, many of whom are drawn by its reputation as the ‘oyster capital’ of Brittany. Mr Norman says reciprocal activities are being planned for later in the year when St Clement hopes to host visitors from Cancale.
Any parishioners who would like to be involved with the carnival weekend trip or are interested in finding out more about future twinning activities is asked to contact the parish hall on 854724.
