THE Truro-Morlaix Twinning Association (TMTA) has announced the award of its prize for French to Truro College A level student Robbie Searle for his excellent performance in the language.

The aim of the monetary prize is to encourage the study of French and to make young people and their families aware of the TMTA. A similar award is due to be presented to an award to a student from Truro School.

TMTA chair Rachel Killick gave Robbie hearty congratulations on his achievement on behalf of the association. “French and modern languages have a raw deal nowadays in many schools, so it’s great to see Robbie and Truro College bucking the trend,” she said.

“Languages are of key importance, both for our current and our historic links with our European neighbours - most directly with France and also with Germany - but more broadly as well, for our place in the multilingual and multicultural world of the 21st century.”

Robbie’s prize was awarded in Truro Library in front of a display of the French books currently on loan from Morlaix library thanks to an annual exchange of books. Rachel thanked library staff for their thoughtful creation of a French ambiance for the occasion. The ceremony was timed to coincide with a visit from Morlaix residents, who were in the city for an English immersion visit and to replenish book stocks.

Truro has been twinned with Morlaix in northern Brittany, France since 1979. “Twinning offers another opportunity for strengthening these links by creating longstanding bonds of mutual understanding and friendship, cemented by twice-yearly exchange visits in each direction,” said Rachel. “I’m pleased Morlaix ‘twinners’ were able to join us in congratulating Robbie on his success.”

Truro is also twinned with Boppard, on the banks of the Rhine near Koblenz in Germany.