TOYING with the idea of visiting Dijon, I seemed to remember that there was once something called "The Dijon Exchange" whereby York's young adults (they were still referred to as children in those benighted days) were packed off to France to apologise for D Day and winning the World Cup.

On enquiry, I was told by veterans that York had once been twinned with Dijon, but no one knew much about it. A librarian said she believed it was one of those post-war fads, such as full employment and free education.

I began to wonder if Dijon had followed all those other old European towns, such as Lyons and Leghorn, into geographical oblivion. Then I recalled visiting a Dijon Avenue in my role as occasional postie, and seeing another road commemorating the Chanoine Felix Kir, inventor of alcopop.

In my perplexity, I rang the council for clarification. A bemused officer confessed that she had no knowledge of twinning and seemed to think I wanted sex counselling. I explained about Dijon being reputedly in France, and she promised to look into it for me, but could promise nothing. Seriously alarmed, I rang l'Alliance Francaise, but there was no response, s'il vous plait!

Surely, there must be, at least, a virtual Dijon out there? For a potential visitor, this is a matter of no small importance. The way I see it, it's far better to arrive than to travel hopefully.

William Dixon Smith,

Welland Rise,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 10:51 Friday, November 12, 2004