Lymington twinning trips' post-Covid return was uplifting in more ways than one

LYMINGTON’S first twinning trip to France in three years suffered some ups and downs when visiting Brits became trapped in a lift and had to be rescued by firefighters.

The town's twinning association finally resumed its travels after two years of Covid-19 restrictions by catching up with one of its partnering towns, Vitré in Brittany.

Mayor Cllr James Hoare was among a group of 20 from Lymington International Twinning Association (LITA) who were entertained during a formal reception at the medieval Mairie town hall.

But his speech – presented in French – and a gift exchange was upstaged.

Having successfully navigated the Channel-crossing, a group including LITA’s chair, Vanessa Ainsworth, became stuck in a lift halfway between floors.

Vitré’s fire and rescue service came to the rescue, with the uplifting moment caught on camera.

A LITA spokesperson said: “The photos shows how elegantly Vanessa coped – with just a hint of Bridget Jones’ Diary about it – as the gallant pompiers returned her safely to ground level.”

The rest of the visit passed less dramatically as the group took in a country garden at Parc Botanique Le Chatellier.

“After a gap of over two years, renewing old friendships and making new ones marked the successful restart to our exchanges,” the spokesperson continued.

“Links to our German partners in Mosbach, and the Spanish in Almansa are also being keenly restarted.”

Details about LITA are available via leaflets at St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery and online at lymingtontwinning.weebly.com