Thirty years of friendships forged through Falmouth Twinning Association’s relationship with Douarnenez in France were celebrated last week when a commemorative tree was planted in Gyllyngdune Gardens.

Falmouth’s mayor, Geoffrey Evans, and Michel Balannec, the adjoint au maire, or deputy mayor, of Douarnenez in Brittany, took turns to cover the roots of a coastal redwood, Sequia Sempervarum, with soil.

Twenty French twinners made the trip across the Channel to enjoy the hospitality of members of the Falmouth association. They spent four days exploring parts of the county, including St Ives and Bodmin, before celebrating their 30th anniversary at Gyllyngdune.

After the tree planting, the guests from France joined their hosts at a civic reception held at the Gyllyngdune’s Garden Room.