A sculpture has been unveiled in France to honour the founder of a twinning link between Shipdham and Noyant la Gravoyere.

Eastern Daily Press: Jim Taylor, left and John Doel in Shipdham in 2001. Picture: Archant Library.Jim Taylor, left and John Doel in Shipdham in 2001. Picture: Archant Library.

Until his death in July last year Jim Taylor was President of Shipdham Twinning Association and set the foundation for the links between the Norfolk village and its French counterpart in the Maine et Loire region.

His widow Doreen said the twinning came about when her husband was headteacher at Thomas Bullock First and Middle School from 1972 until retiring in 1996.

'He wanted the children to have the opportunity to exchange with a school in France,' she said. 'After contacting the British Council he was put in touch with Daniel Dupuis who was mayor of Noyant and also head of the school Renee Brossard in the village. The first school exchange took place in 1985 and continued every two years until 1995. The first official twinning between Shipdham and Noyant was in 1985 and this year 45 people travelled to Noyant at the end of May to celebrate 32 years of twinning.'

A sculpture was unveiled at a ceremony in Square Shipdham in Noyant last month by the mayor Jean-Noel Gaultier, who spoke of Mr Taylor's tireless efforts to establish the twinning and his continued involvement .

As current President of Shipdham Twinning Association Mrs Taylor thanked everyone for the wonderful tribute.