Youngsters off abroad

Jul 1 2009 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Wednesday

THE third annual exchange visits between Clackmannanshire young people and the county's twinning partners are about to get under way.

A total of 15 youngsters from Clackmannanshire will leave Scotland tomorrow (Thursday) to stay with host families abroad enjoying the local hospitality and culture.

Clackmannanshire signed the formal agreement with its twin towns on St Andrew’s Day 2006.

Of the group, six will be travelling to Vendargues in France, which is 7km from Montpellier. During the week they will enjoy trips to the Tarn Gorges, the deepest gorges in Europe, and Sainte Enimie, which has been described as “the most beautiful village in France”, and the biggest wolf park in the world at Gevaudan.

A group of nine youngsters will go to Espartinas in Spain, which is 125km from Seville. They will enjoy trips to the Isla Magica Theme Park, visit Los Pueblos Blancos and Zahara de la Sierra, the classic white villages of Andalucia and enjoy go-karting and swimming.

The two groups return to Scotland, with the French and Spanish youngsters, on Friday July 10 to spend time with families here.

Another fun-filled timetable has been arranged with a welcome ceilidh, Alva Games, and sports at Dounans in the Trossachs National Park.

Councillor Eddie Carrick said: “I’m sure this year’s youth exchanges will build on the previous years’ success and I look forward to welcoming our French and Spanish visitors to Clackmannanshire.”