At the September meeting in the Public Library, those present heard that a letter had been received from a councillor in Estaires who had put forward a twinning proposal.
The community council agreed in principle to the suggestion and their decisi
on has already been communicated to France.
Mrs Patricia Millar, community council chairperson, told the Arbroath Herald: "I have been surprised over the years that Arbroath, as the largest burgh in Angus, does not have a twinning partner.
"This proposal could be a very good thing for the town. Twinning could bring cultural, educational and even business links and one of the most positive aspects is that the invitation has come from the French side.
"There have been other efforts over the years to find a twinning partner for Arbroath, but they seemed to die on the vine and never came to anything."
She concluded: "One thing is certain, however, it has to be a community effort. The community council cannot do anything on its own without the support of all sections within the town."
Estaires is a town and commune in the Department of the Nord, about 11 kilometres west of Armentieres, near the Belgian border and north-west of the Ardennes Forest.
It has a large First World War cemetery on the eastern outskirts of the town and on the east side of the road to Bailleul.
The town housed a Field Ambulance centre as early as November, 1914, and later the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station was posted in it. It was later 'adopted' by the County Borough of Plymouth.
Estaires Communal Cemetery was used for British burials from the early days of November, 1914 to June, 1917.
On April 10, 1918, Estaires was captured by the Germans after an obstinate defence by the 50th (Northumbrian) Division and it was finally retaken by British troops at the beginning of September, 1918.
