Eight pupils, two parents, a teacher, and organiser David Leslie took part in a ‘Twin City’ excursion to Clermont-Ferrand, France, in September. The trip was organised in collaboration with Jean-Marc Flouzat, a senior local (French) chess figure and youth coach, and the International Officers of Aberdeen and Clermont-Ferrand. Funding for the trip came from a variety of sources, though the major contributor was Aberdeen City Councils International budget. Contributions were received from The Franco-Scottish Society, community centre donations, parents, and fundraising by participants.

There was excitement amongst the children from the outset, even on the passage to Clermont-Ferrand which involved a train journey to Stansted, then the flight to Clermont-Ferrand. Most had never flown before. It is difficult to find words to express the sheer delight shown by the children at each stage of the visit. Their interest in the ‘new’ culture was genuine, as they listened to explanations of local history, viewed a variety of arts, and made an effort to communicate with the French children and adults they met. The children willingly tried new dishes at mealtimes. On one occasion they were invited to join French schoolchildren for school lunch, and just loved being part of the different setting. The concept of lunch at street-side cafeterias was also very appealing to them. 

My introduction to Jean-Marc Flouzat was through chess, as we both teach children to play the game. This was the theme of the trip, with visits to private (Fenelon College) and state (Jean de le Fontaine) schools involving competitive chess games between children from the ‘twin cities’. The Aberdeen contingent was delighted to come out on top on both occasions, having been a little apprehensive to begin with. When the sessions came to an end, there was a feeling of great disappointment amongst both groups, on both occasions, that they could not spend more time together. The departure from Jean de la Fontaine School, in particular, was very poignant as the French children gave a rendition of Burns ‘The Wild Mountain Thyme’.

Chess results were not one-sided, however. When the Aberdeen youngsters visited local clubs they were just as happy to play – and lose against – some of the best junior players they had ever met, like Armand Diviné, a ten-year-old with a rating of 1600!

There were other attractions too, with visits to the mountainous Paine de Laschamps (mountain biking with Jean-Francois Claustre, guide to the French mountain bike federation) and the Puy de Dôme (volcanic mountain range, famous for Volvic mineral water, and hang-gliding). On the last morning, the group visited the magnificent local Gothic Cathedral Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption. Sitting at the rear, we listened to the beautiful singing of Mass. There was thoughtful silence as we left, which I felt indicated that the children were quite impressed with proceedings.

The visit was well publicised here and in Clermont-Ferrand, reports appearing in the Aberdeen Press and Journal and Evening Express and on the Aberdeen City Council website. A Clermont-Ferrand newspaper reported our visit, and our reception at the International Offices of Gérard Quenot. M. Quenot indicated at the reception that he was keen to set up long-term links between schoolchildren of our twin cities, and I understand that progress has already been made in this respect.

The youngsters in the group – all aged about 10years – were excellent ambassadors for the City of Aberdeen: friendly and fun-loving, courteous and polite.

As an indicator as to how successful the trip was, when asked if the group would like to go back to Clermont-Ferrand, the answer was an emphatic and unanimous ‘YES’!