THREE months ago or so, a refurbished British telephone box arrived in Fontaine-Henry, Normandy as a gift between Scoriton and Buckfastleigh and their Twinning counterparts across the Channel.

It was the result of a four-year project, incumbered up by an amalgam uncertainties of the Covid variety.

But by both communities pulling together, the box eventually made landfall in its new home. Now, the Devon Twinners have been able to see the box in situ with their own eyes.

Over the August Bank Holiday, a large group headed to Normandy for the annual Twinning get-together.

‘It is wonderful to be in Fontaine-Henry again’ said Anne Goulborn, president of the Scoriton & Buckfastleigh Twinning Association.

‘We kept having to postpone our trip to France due to the pandemic but finally we’ve made it.’

This year is of particular significance for it marked the 40th anniversary of the Twinning; the French were keen to mark the occasion in true Gallic style.

Village mayor, Cyrille Rosello de Moliner, presided over the official inauguration of the telephone box.

Addressing a rather large crowd, he alluded to the years of close contact and mutual understanding between the two communities, stretching across generations.

With speeches said, two of the younger members cut the ribbon to declare the telephone box finally open.

‘We have decided to use the telephone box as an information post for the village’ said Véronique Mauduit-Grisel, president of the French Twinners.

‘Tourists can find local guides and information, while residents can use it as a magazine exchange’ he explained.

Immediately after the inauguration, the group mused on over to the local park to enjoy drinks and canapés in the shade of the plane trees.

In keeping with the traditions of the region, individual French families host the visitors, with the Devon Twinners reciprocating when the French make the trip to England next year.

A full programme of events kept the Britons busy for the four-day visit, which included visits to the Pegasus Bridge Museum commemorating the vital first airborne assault on D-Day and a Viking theme park celebrating Normandy’s historical links with Scandinavia.