THE twinning of Lyme Regis and Barfleur has taken another step forward as the official document to mark the occasion nears completion.

Calligrapher and illuminator Fiona Graham-Flynn, is putting the finishing touches to the document that will be hung in the Guildhall in Lyme Regis after the ceremony on September 21.

This follows the decision by the Lyme Regis tourism and economic development committee to donate money after an appeal by John Dover, the chairman of the twinning association.

Mr Dover, on behalf of the management committee of the association, asked for a donation to help with the ‘association’s financial challenge’, which was the cost of the charter document.

The tourism committee resolved to donate £300 from its budget.

Bridport-based Fiona has been commissioned to produce the charter for the Lyme Regis/Barfleur Twinning Association, and is working against the clock to finish in time for its ceremonial signing by association members from both sides of the Channel later this month.

Mrs Graham-Flynn, who has published several books and teaches her art at her Crock Lane studio, said: “The charter document is a grand piece of work, and I feel privileged to be doing it. It’s a new challenge for me since it is the first time I have written in French.”

Using black letter Gothic and 16th century italics, Fiona is producing the charter on hot pressed goat skin parchment.

During the past 35 years Fiona has contributed to several books about her art, and produces a variety of work for churches, books of remembrance and family crests.

She has also delivered a commemorative plaque to Buckingham Palace to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee.

The twinning charter will be signed during the weekend of September 20 and 21 when a party from Barfleur will visit Lyme Regis to complete the for