HISTORY will be made in Kilmacolm next weekend when the village formally links with a French counterpart 593 miles away.

French cheese and wine will be flowing at the Kilmacolm and Port Glasgow Agricultural Show when a five-strong delegation from Mérignies arrives to formally sign a twinning agreement.

The momentous occasion comes after 14 months of talks and exchange visits between the two villages.

It began after Laurent Kochanski, a resident of Mérignies, wrote to Kilmacolm Community Council with the proposal.

Gerry Boyle, communication and marketing assistant on the Twinning Steering Committee, says this is the start of what is hoped will prove to be a very exciting relationship.

He told the Tele: “Two successful reconnaissance visits and on-going email and Skype exchange between the steering committees has resulted in a decision to proceed with the twinning.

“We are delighted to welcome our French friends from Mérignies for the formal signing of the twinning agreement.” Gerry, who worked in France for 25 years, believes the agreement will be a great boost for the local community.

He said: “It will be fantastic to have links with a French town.

“It’s an opportunity for the community to have an exchange of French culture.

“It will also be great for the kids, as from next month youngsters at St Columba’s School will design a leaflet about Kilmacolm in French so that children in Mérignies can find out more about our village.

“And kids from Kilmacolm Primary will also be in contact with the school out there, so it will really help their development.” Gerry added that the Quarriers charity has also joined the Twinning Steering Committee.

The official signing ceremony will take place at the Kilmacolm show on Saturday 10 May in the twinning tent at 1.45pm.

A delegation from Kilmacolm will then travel to the French village on 12 July for the final signing ceremony there.