Villagers have said “arrivederci” to their Italian friends after another successful twinning week.
The Stocksmoor and Villages Twinning Association welcomed guests from Olgiate Molgora in northern Italy for a week of activities.
The groups have been hosting visits on alternate years for the past 17 years.
The Anglo-Italian group visited Haddon Hall in Derbyshire, Wortley Top Forge, Wentworth Castle gardens and York.
There were also shorter outings in smaller groups with plenty of time to socialise over a good meal and a glass of wine.
Organiser Christine Hughes, said the week had been enhanced by the glorious weather of mid July.
“This is not a stuffy or formal exchange by any stretch of the imagination,” she said.
“The week began with a fairly wild ceilidh enjoyed by all.
“During the week we shared each other’s company, compared and contrasted, amid a lot of laughter — our Italian guests very much sharing our sense of humour and ability to laugh at ourselves and our national foibles.
“We ended the visit with a lovely meal at the Oil Can Cafe, a very interesting venue.
“It proved to be a very good space with room for dancing afterwards.
“All in all a success and real tears were shed by many at the moment of departure.
“We feel sure that British-Italian relations have continued to thrive into another year.
“We now await eagerly our reciprocal visit to Italy in 2015.”
Anyone wanting more information about Stocksmoor and Villages Twinning can ring Christine on 01484 605755 or email christinehatl@googlemail.com
