Sleaford Standard, November 23rd, 2005.

Billinghay and District Twinning Association welcomed guest speakers Euro-MP Phillip Whitehead and Chris Watson of the Rural Transport Trust to their last meeting.

To be eligible for EU funding, visits have to be themed and this year Twinning Association members chose transport as their theme.

Mr. Watson highlighted current projects, in particular the recent opening of the Grantham to Skegness rail link.

Euro-MP Phillip Whitehead spoke about the transport problems encountered by rural communities and possible solutions.

He told the meeting it would only be a matter of time before serious changes would be needed to avoid further damage to the environment and reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on Britain’s roads, particularly in Lincolnshire.

Billinghay has been twinned with Ballon in France for 19 years and this year they welcomed 51 guests for the annual visit.

In line with the transport theme, a visit to the National Space Centre near Leicester was arranged and guests were also treated to a traditional beef stew supper, a tour of Boston Dock and a Hog Roast. The next visit to Ballon [was] in May 2006.