Shropshire Star

Bridgnorth woman's passport mishap sparks 24-hour dash across Europe to catch up with colleagues

The organiser of a Shropshire's town's annual trip to its European twin was left a little red-faced when she turned up at the airport with her husband's passport.

Published
Last updated

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Fran Spicer of the Bridgnorth & District Twinning Association had arranged a trip for 13 of their members to visit the town's twin of Thiers in France over the weekend.

However, on arrival at the airport, Mrs Spicer discovered she had forgotten her passport, forcing her to let her colleagues go ahead and leading to her to embark on a 24-hour trek across Europe to join them.

Taking to Facebook to relay her mishap in good humour, Mrs Spicer - who is mother to Bridgnorth's Mastermind finalist, Ben Spicer - she said she had gone all the way through Luton security before she realised her blunder.

After missing her flight as she waited for her husband to bring her passport, Fran said with “determination” and “raised blood pressure” she set off on her lone adventure to join her colleagues.

She said she caught a plane to Paris with less than 10 minutes to spare, found a hotel at Charles de Gaulle Airport for the night, then travelled across Paris to Bercy Station and arrived with just one minute to spare before her train departed.

She then arrived in Vichy and finally met with her fellow travellers for a town tour before arriving in Thiers 24 hours late.

“What an adventure! Was it worth it? You bet it was - what an amazing weekend,” Fran said, adding: “I'm not embarrassed, I think it's hilarious (now).

"If you fancy a similar adventure, why not join our Twinning Association?”

More details about the Bridgnorth & District Association can be found at bridgnorthtwinning.com.