By Jeannie Brooker

Hassocks Twinning is very much looking at last to welcoming our friends from WaldMichelbach in Germany and Montmirail in France, after months of preparation. The groups will be with us on the last weekend of May – 22nd-25th – to enjoy the late spring sunshine in our beautiful part of the world.

There is a programme of events planned for the visitors including visiting a local vineyard, taking a historic churches tour kindly led by the team at St Cosmas & St Damian, Keymer church, a barn dance and English High Tea - the latter all being catered for by our own local talented suppliers - sweet treats by Macarons By Dark, flowers by Bryony Mae Flowers, decorations in partnership with Love Art Studios and all coordinated by local catering whizz Kat at Prickly Pear.

Hassocks Parish Council has also been very supportive and instrumental in making this weekend happen with some funding to allow the visitors to really enjoy your beautiful village and area to the full. They too are eager to meet with officials from the other towns to hear how better they can work together and this will be discussed at a meeting to be also held over the weekend.

Again, though separated by geography, the communities are coming together again in a spirit to reflect decades of collaboration, cultural exchange, and mutual support. A reminder of the importance of building bridges between communities and fostering friendships that transcend borders.

The visit is very exciting and we all look forward to welcoming our friends again.

Find out more about Hassocks Twinning, by looking us up on Facebook.