A TASTE of English beer fresh from the brewery proved a holiday highlight for four French visitors who spent a week with a family in Cricklade in March 1991.
Michel and Bridgette Gautier and Catherine and Yves Louisfert were driven in MG cars from Cricklade over to Arkells Brewery in Swindon to quaff a few pints of genuine Wiltshire ale.
They were accompanied by fellow MG drivers John and Sally Palmer of the Old Bear Inn in Cricklade who organised the visit to the brewery.
The four visitors were from Cricklade’s twin town of Sucé-sur-Erdre near Nantes and had helped to entertain John and Sally and 14 other Cricklade residents when they visited France for a long weekend in the previous September.
“The visit to the brewery was a way of returning the hospitality of our French friends”, said Sally.
“When we went to stay in Sucé-sur-Erdre they showed us around a vineyard where we tasted loads of different wines so we thought they would like to look around a brewery and test some local beer.”
“I think the French thoroughly enjoyed our beer”, said Don Kenchington, the head brewer at Arkells, “particularly some of our stronger stuff.”
During their five-day visit, the French also went on a guided tour of Bath, played skittles at Cricklade’s Red Lion pub and celebrated a late Burns Night.
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