The French twin town of Harpenden. It is a market town with similar facilities to Harpenden, though it has a smaller population. About forty miles north of Nevers – St Albans’ French twin town – it is on the same rail link from Paris. Nearby are the wine areas of Sancerre, Pouilly and the latest appellation controle in the area of Cote de Genoux. Cosne is also the centre of wine quality testing in the area.
Harpenden has two small roads named after the area – Cosne and Loire Mews, while Cosne has a small amenity area near the centre of its town called Jardin d’Harpenden.
In 2002 both civic and friendship visiting groups celebrated the 20th anniversary of the twinning of the two towns. The French call it Jumelage. There have been many visits between the towns including civic and friendship visits and other special interest groups, which have either joined in with the main group visits or travelled independently. Choirs, football team, farmers and others have travelled between the two towns.
During the year the friendship group holds social events, both to meet with other members and also to raise money for the occasions when the Cosnois visit. Annually the group joins with the French Circle on July 14th to celebrate Bastille Day with a barbeque. There is also a quiz evening in April and a soire in November, both at the Park Hall, Harpenden.
The Visit of the Cosnois - June 2006
On Friday 16th June a coach arrived at the Harpenden Rugby Club car park from Cosne bearing visitors who were to stay for the weekend with hosts from Harpenden, Wheathampstead and Redbourn. Those of us hosting carried our visitors home with us and fed and watered (or rather wined) them.
They were back at the Rugby Club car park at 9.30 the following morning in order to join coaches for a trip to Henley on Thames, where they were to visit the River and Rowing Museum. There are many different exhibits at this museum, including one based on the Wind in the Willows stories.
After partaking in lunch at the museum they were able to enjoy a boat ride on the Thames. That evening was spent with hosts and we hope the French visitors were able to appreciate that even the English can cook! Host families were able to take the visitors to various places according to personal choice. For those who have visited before the choice of venue was more tricky. Among places visited on the Sunday were London, the Buckingham Railway Museum and for new visitors a closer look at Harpenden and St. Albans.
The weekend finished off with a Dinner Dance at the Aldwickbury Golf Club. The evening was very pleasant and seemed to be enjoyed by all. Last time the Cosnois visited the band playing the music ended the evening with the National Anthem, but had forgotten to provide the music for the Marseillaise, but this time they played it with great aplomb! The evening was not a long one, rather necessary as the driver of the French coach had decided to leave the Rugby Club car park at 7.0 a.m. on the Monday morning! Another enjoyable visit with lots of good friendships forged.