A group of 19 visitors from the Isle of Wight off the coast of England in the United Kingdom is visiting Cleveland County as part of Friendship Force this week. The Friendship Force group had the opportunity to visit with Cleveland County Commissioners, Ronnie Whetstine, Doug Bridges, Deb Hardin and Johnny Hutchins and with Sheriff Alan Norman. The Commissioners presented each member of the group with a certificate and a Cleveland County pin. The Sheriff gave each of the group members a commemorative Sheriff's coin.
Their small island is 12 miles x 26 miles in size and it's primary industry is tourism.
So, they have been experiencing southern hospitality while learning about the tourist attractions in western NC and Cleveland County including: Liver Mush Festival - Mush, Music & Mutts, the Earl Scruggs Center, Red Bridges BBQ, Newgrass Brewing and much more.