The first leg of the French Exchange was a great success.  On October 20th,  twenty-one French students and their teachers arrived late but safely, in spite of strikes and fuel shortages on the other side of the Channel. They received a very warm welcome from their host families and soon felt quite at home. The day after their arrival, visits to Saint Mary's, The Mount and the Kindergarten were full of interest for our French guests. The further programme of activities for the week included a tour of Liverpool, conducted by Mr. Magill, and one of Chester, led by a Roman legionaire in full armour.  The combined group also enjoyed visits to Port Sunlght and Alton Towers and, on the final day of their stay, a walk through the Formby and Ainsdale nature reserves - very different from their inland mountainous home area. Parties organised in the evenings by various host families were most successful and much appreciated. Many tears were shed at the airport when the time came to say au revoir, but all are looking forward to our visit to the Vosges mountains in February.