Twinning in Belgium

The trip to Hastings' Belgian twin town was made so the party could take part in the second Snuekletocht cycling event.

The Snuekletocht event involves cyclists riding 27 miles around a figure of eight course, with Oudenaarde town at its centre.

Riders make stops throughout the day sampling a snack from one of the five towns Oudenaarde is twinned with in Europe.

At the English stop in Huerne, a village on the town's outskirts, riders were given a cheese scone with a tea or coffee.

More than 700 scones were provided by the Pat-a-Cake bakery in Silverhill and they were finished off during a 45-minute break, served by some of the Hastings' group, dressed as Beefeaters.

Cyclists then rode on to lunch, back in Oudenaarde, courtesy of the Dutch and German towns, Bergen-op Zoom and Coburg.

Two further stops in the afternoon run by the French from Arras and the Romanians of Buzau were followed by a welcome selection of Italian treats from Castel Madama.

The day was finished off with music and a barbeque for the entire group, late into the evening.

Nigel Barry, chairman of the Hastings/Oudenaarde twinning association, said: "It was a great day out in the Belgian countryside and thankfully the weather held to the end. We run a visit here each year as the highlight of our calendar, but we also facilitate other smaller exchanges throughout the year.

"Since January we have arranged visits from a Belgian school as well as a group of adult learners.

"A small group of Belgian military officers visited in April, and more than 100 athletes from Flanders took part in our half marathon as they do each year.

"Earlier this month Sea Cadets from TS Hastings came out to Oudenaarde and took part in the annual V Day parade as they do each year.

"As a result of the committee's efforts many local people have had the chance to visit Flanders and have formed close links from which true international friendships have developed."