Pupils at Ysgol Dôlafon gave a warm welcome to visitors from France recently as part of the long-standing twinning link between Llanwrtyd Wells and Mériel.

Members of the school council showed the visitors around the school, while pupils created colourful flags and banners to mark the occasion. The whole school later came together for an afternoon of music, singing and fun, with children learning French songs, playing kazoos and performing their own whole-school song, which was written and composed by the pupils themselves.

The visit also saw the return of former headteachers Mr Bryn Davies and Mrs Gill Lloyd, who originally helped establish the link between the school and France.

Mr Chris Davies, acting headteacher, sai: “This was a truly special and memorable moment for our school community. Our friends from France were incredibly welcoming and uplifting, entertaining us all with live music and singing - something we are passionate about at Ysgol Dôlafon. Their performances brought smiles, energy and a real sense of togetherness, making the visit even more meaningful.

“It was a pleasure to welcome our visitors into our school. The children proudly showed them around, giving them an insight into our learning environment and sharing our vision, values and aims.

“The afternoon was filled with joy, laughter and shared learning, as we explored the special partnership between Llanwrtyd Wells and Mériel. Through music and singing, we celebrated not only our cultural links but also the friendships that continue to grow between our communities.

“We are excited to continue strengthening this partnership, building lasting connections and creating rich, authentic and meaningful experiences for our children at Ysgol Dôlafon.”

Stéphanie Chevallier, president of the association, commented:“From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with a wonderful welcome. Very quickly, we realised that this school is far more than just a place of learning: it is a vibrant and inspiring environment, where every wall tells a story and every activity has meaning.

“What a lovely surprise it was to discover that the pupils had prepared for our visit! French flags had been carefully drawn, and one pupil had even crocheted a flag – a touching gesture that meant a great deal to us.

“Together, we sang songs before the children taught us a song they had written themselves. It was a truly special moment, full of emotion, sincerity and shared joy. Seeing the children perform their own words with such sensitivity, and then playing together on the kazoo, is something we will always remember.

“We left feeling genuinely moved, with a strong belief that the twinning between our towns offers a wonderful opportunity to build lasting connections between young people, beyond borders and cultures. We are already looking forward to developing joyful and meaningful shared projects between the children of Llanwrtyd Wells and those of Mériel.

“A heartfelt thank you to the entire team at Ysgol Dôlafon for their warm welcome.”

The school is now looking at ways to further strengthen and develop the partnership.