FRENCH visitors stormed the borough for a cultural weekend in the Queen of the Suburbs.
Ealing is twinned with Marcqen-Baroeul, itself a suburb of Lille, and the Friends of Marcq have been organising trips between the two countries for 22 years.
Last weekend, 17 visitors boarded Eurostar for a traditional English weekend. They were invited to a reception hosted by the Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Barbara Yerolemou, then accompanied her to the annual Christmas lights switch-on in the town centre.
At Thames Valley University they were taught how to make traditional Lancashire lamb pot roasts, Yorkshire puddings and apple crumble.
There was also time to visit the Musical Museum in Brentford and watch The Taming of the Shrew at The Questors Theatre.
Jane Cocking, secretary of the Marcq-en-Baroeul committee, said: "They all seemed very enthused about the events planned and this was the first time we have organised a cultural programme in Ealing.
"We had a varied itinerary and they really enjoyed visiting the Musical Museum, meeting the mayor and cooking at the university. Most of them have been to Ealing before and they really enjoy seeing the borough and like the shops in the Broadway. They gained an insight into English culture, which was sampled locally in Ealing."
