Town Twinning
 | SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH WARMINSTER USA WARMINSTER Town Council welcomed guests last autumn from Warminster, Pennsylvania to commemorate a 10-year twinning relationship. In 2013 some councillors from Warminster, Wiltshire, visited Warminster, USA, and were shown around the American town; a delegation has now returned the favour with a visit to Wiltshire. Visitors from the USA included Leo Quinn III - who was previously Chairperson for Warminster Board of Supervisors (the USA equivalent of Mayor) – along with Claudia B Quinn, Kevin J O’Leary, and Mary C O’Leary. The group had a welcome lunch, before a tour of Warminster town landmarks followed by a meal at The Old Firehouse – the packed day concluded with a trip to Prestbury Sports Bar, where the visitors enjoyed a David Bowie tribute act. After celebrating together and swapping stories on each town, the group joined forces once again to open the Autumn Market held at the Civic Centre. The Mayor of Warminster, Councillor Phil Keeble, said: “Links have been further strengthened between the two towns after a very enjoyable and fruitful weekend. “Warminster Township, like Warminster, UK, is a vibrant community to live, work, and play – we also both pride ourselves on fostering strong business organisations as well as being emerging leaders in environmental, technological, and economic practices. “The two towns will continue to work together to promote cultural links and we hope it will not be another 10 years before we are able to visit each other again.” Leo Quinn III added: “We hope to further build on our strong cultural and civic ties, we aim to promote and encourage the exchange of ideas and customs between our citizenries. We are proud to reaffirm and celebrate the relationship between Warminster, England and Warminster, Pennsylvania. We hope to be back again.” Pictured are Mayor of Warminster, Councillor Phil Keeble, Leo Quinn III and the Town Crier Rick Johnstone Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2024 |
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TWINNING REMEMBRANCE FROME’S traditional remembrance parade left from the Drill Hall, Keyford, to the Memorial Theatre Garden where a short service took place. The Last Post was played and wreaths laid led by the Royal British Legion, followed by the Mayor of Frome Cllr Philip Campagna, and veterans and serving personnel. The Frome Town Band accompanied the service. A symbolic message of reconciliation then took place when, in the presence of representatives from Murrhardt in Germany, marking 40 years since their twinning with Frome, Somerset, the World War Two plaque in the Memorial Theatre foyer was rededicated with the addition of the name of Corporal R.W. Smith, Royal Corps of Signals, who died in 1946, as a result of his service. Cpl Smith is buried at Holy Trinity Church, Frome, under an official Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone. His surviving family and the Murrhardt councillors laid wreaths together. Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2024
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Bilingual twinning scroll by Mike Goodwin, Clerks & Councils Direct | COMMUNITY BECOMES FIRST TO TWIN WITH UKRAINE SWANLEY in Kent, has become the first community in the United Kingdom to officially twin with a city in Ukraine since the start of the war; this serves as a mark of solidarity following the Russian invasion of the country. The official ceremony held at the Swanley Civic Centre and broadcast online, marked a significant step in fostering cooperation between Swanley and Fastiv communities as well as the UK and Ukraine. Distinguished delegates from FASTIV, including the mayor, were present virtually, holding the ceremony from a secure underground facility. Swanley mayor, Cllr Michael Horwood, who has also hosted ten refugees at his home, expressed enthusiasm about the historic twinning: “It has been a year and a half since a significant number of families, equally outraged against the barbarity of the Russian invasion, opened their doors to host Ukrainian refugees fleeing for safety. Almost all are now working locally, and have become part of our community. We hope other communities across the UK may equally consider showing a sign of solidarity and thus increase the number of UK communities twinned with Ukrainian cities.” Mayor of Fastiv city, Mr Netyazhuk, expressed his gratitude for Swanley's support, saying, “The twinning of our cities is a beacon of hope that shines through the darkness of challenge. Together, we can overcome the challenges that lie ahead and build a better future.” Swanley Town Council’s chief executive officer Ryan Hayman added: “This historic twinning is more than a mere ceremony; it is a pledge of solidarity, resilience, and a shared commitment to fostering a peaceful world.” Clerks & Councils Direct November 2023 |
 | VISIT MARKS FIFTY YEARS OF TWINNING EDENBRIDGE Town Council in Kent welcomed visitors from its twin town of Mont St Aignan in France back in May to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Edenbridge and District Twinning Association. A public event included entertainment from the town band, singers and Morris dancers and a rendition of Frère Jacques by primary school pupils. Among those attending was local MP Tom Tugendhat, along with town, district and county councillors. During the trip the French visitors saw various items around the town that had been gifted over the years, ending at St Peter and St Paul’s churchyard where a bed of yellow/gold roses has been created with a commemorative plaque to mark the anniversary. Cllr Bob Todd, council chairman, said: “The aims of the Charter linking our two towns – to develop mutual understanding and friendship – are as relevant today as they were in 1973. But times have changed, quite dramatically in the past few years, so sadly this is our last year of twinning. Yet the connections between us will remain a lasting legacy and part of our history.” Clerks & Councils Direct September 2023 |
 | SPECIAL GIFT CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF TWINNING Cllr Chris Robbins, the mayor of WARMINSTER in Wiltshire, has presented a beautiful stained-glass decoration that combines the United Kingdom flag with the French tricolour to the town of Flers to celebrate 50 years of twinning. Warminster has been twinned with the town of Flers in Normandy, France, since 1973. Visits have been made each year alternately between the two towns and strong friendships have been formed between host families. Annie Mulholland, who designed and made the piece, said: “It was my great pleasure to design and make the gift to celebrate the 50 years of the twinned towns. I was reminded how there has always been a connection between the north of France and England within the tradition of stained glass. From medieval times people came from the low countries to England with their skills and really enhanced our teams of stained-glass designers and painters.” Clerks & Councils Direct July 2023 |
 | TWINNING TOWN TRAIL The town of RINGWOOD in Hampshire, was pleased to host visitors from Pont-Audemer in Normandy which it has been twinned with since 1986. Visits from one town to the other happen yearly and are organised by the respective twinning associations. The group which included the French Mayor, Alexis Darmois, and his wife Estelle were treated on the Saturday, to a tour of Ringwood using the ‘Town Trail’ hosted by Ringwood Society, followed by a civic reception in the Unity Hall. On Sunday, they visited Beaulieu estate, which included a demonstration of falconry skills. Gifts were exchanged and the mayor of Ringwood, Cllr Gareth DeBoos, was thrilled and honoured to receive ‘La Médaille de la Ville de Pont-Audemer’ and a framed picture of scenes from the town, which will be hung in Ringwood Gateway. Clerks & Councils Direct July 2023 |
Clerks & Councils Direct January 2023
 | WALKERS URGED TO GET THEIR BOOTS ON FROME Town Council in Somerset is staging its Walking Festival again this year, with support from national group Walkers Are Welcome. The event takes place over the weekend of 11–13 November and will feature 19 walks centred around history, nature, the countryside and even dancing. The programme includes guided tours, countryside hikes and self-guided activities. Clerks & Councils Direct November 2022 |
 | TOWNS MARK THIRTY YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP KENDAL Town Council in Cumbria welcomed a delegation from its twin town of Rinteln in Germany at the end of September to enjoy its annual Torchlight Festival and celebrate the 30th anniversary of the two towns signing their twinning charter. A large group led by Bürgermeister Andrea Lange was hosted by volunteers from the Kendal Rinteln Association. The mayor, Cllr Doug Rathbone, hosted a traditional afternoon tea at the town hall, which was attended by Germany’s consul general for the North of England. The visitors were presented with a piece of green slate inscribed with the town crests and a range of traditional Westmorland fayre, including Kendal Mint Cake. On the next day a civic reception was held for the Torchlight Festival, which was followed by a fish and chip supper for 57 at the New Union inn. Cllr Rathbone said: “It was a privilege to entertain our German friends during this special weekend for Kendal. We hope we reinforced the bonds between the two towns and their communities for at least another 30 years.” for at least another 30 years.” Clerks & Councils Direct November 2022 |
 | CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP THE mayor of FARNHAM in Surrey and his counterpart from the town of Andernach in Germany have renewed a deed of friendship to mark the 30th anniversary of their twin town connection. The renewal took place during a visit in late June by Burgermeister Claus Peitz and others from the Rhine Valley community. Cllr Earwaker (pictured right) emphasised the value of twinned communities, remarking: “Recent world events have underlined the importance of maintaining friendships, so we can learn from each other and work together on common issues such as the recent refugee crisis and tackling climate change.” Farnham and Andernach have been twinned since 1992. There have been numerous exchange visits between residents of the two towns, including links between schools and community organisations such as football clubs and choirs. In the deed of friendship, the two towns pledged to promote the economic, social and environmental well-being of their communities and continue to foster positive relations and understanding. Clerks & Councils Direct September 2022 |
TOWN CELEBRATES ENTENTE CORDIALE
LUDLOW in Shropshire celebrates 35 years of twinning with French partner La Ferté Macé this year. At the end of May, Ludlow Twinning Association organised a visit for over 40 French visitors, who spent a weekend in the town with host families. They were welcomed by the mayor, Cllr Glenn Ginger, and deputy Cllr Beverley Waite at Ludlow Brewery, and were given a flavour of industrial Britain with a visit to the Black Country Living Museum followed by the set of hit TV show Peaky Blinders. The weekend included options of a guided tour of the town, a walk in Mortimer Forest, an open garden or a game of croquet, rounded off by an evening at the Shropshire Discovery Centre. Grace Wilkins, chair of the association, said: “Our fundraising activities mean that we can provide free travel and meals for under-18s. The chance to meet up with young people from another culture, to practise language skills and try new experiences can be life-changing.”
Clerks & Councils Direct July 2022
OXFORD City Council is one of several local authorities to have ended its twinning arrangements with a Russian city, taking steps to dissolve its agreement with the city of Perm. Durham County Council has decided to end its twinning arrangements with the city of Kostroma, which have been in place since 1968. Wakefield Council has also announced that it will formally revoke its twin town arrangement with Belgorod, and Exeter City Council is considering suspending its civic relations with Yaroslavl.
Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2022
FROME in Somerset has set up an appeal to support displaced Ukrainians as they arrive in its twin town of Rabka-Zdrój in Poland. The town in south-east Poland is 150 miles from the Ukrainian border and has already welcomed many refugees. However, it is facing big challenges in accommodating, feeding and clothing new arrivals and has appealed for support from its twin towns of Frome, Murrhardt in Germany and Château-Gontiersur-Mayenne in France. Frome Town Council has pledged £5,000 itself and has launched a JustGiving webpage for residents to donate what they can. The council said: “We feel their plight and would ask that the people of Frome stand with us and Rabka’s other twin towns and donate to our appeal.
Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2022
THE mayor of SEVENOAKS in Kent, Cllr Merilyn Canet, sent a message of sympathy and support to the community of Rheinbach, its twin town in Germany, which was one of many towns in northern Europe hit by devastating floods in mid-July. The local Friends of Rheinbach Group and the town council were looking into practical ways of helping.
Clerks & Councils Direct, September 2021
 | STRONG ROOTS NEW MILTON Town Council in Hampshire has celebrated its special relationship with its twinned town of Canteleu in France by planting a Paul’s Scarlet hawthorn tree at Ballard Lake, as part of its Plant a Tree Initiative. The towns have been linked since 1991, with a twinning charter formally signed in January 2001. Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2021 |
 | MAYOR OFFERS TWIN TOWN SOLIDARITY WARMINSTER Town Council in Wiltshire has launched a good neighbour campaign as part of its [coronavirus] response. It has produced a leaflet that people can download, which asks residents to contact their nearest five neighbours and exchange phone numbers so they can offer help and support if needed. It also gives general advice and contact details for local organisations that can help. Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2020 |
 | FORMAL FOOTING FOR TWINNING LINKS Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2020 |
TOWN FORGES LITERARY LINKS
THAME in Oxfordshire held its annual Charity Fair on 2 November, hosted by the mayor, Cllr Ann Midwinter, with the help of councillors and officers. The event took place in the town hall, with stalls manned by local charities. The event also saw the official launch of the OX9ERS group, set up by former members of the Thame Lions Club, which folded recently. The OX9ERS plan to take over where the Lions left off, covering Thame and nearby villages and communities. They meet monthly at The Three Horseshoes pub in Towersey.
A week earlier, the Thame Sinaia Friendship Association welcomed visitors from twin town Sinaia in Romania, who attended the Thame Arts and Literature (TAL) Festival. They presented Cllr Midwinter with a two-volume biography of Queen Maria, which will be placed in Thame Library. They also presented a short introduction on Maria, a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria, to an audience in the town hall, before taking part in the TAL Quiz. They were later taken on a guided walk of the town and its historical buildings.
Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2020
THOUSANDS of people joined BICESTER’S Remembrance Day event to pay their respects. The service was held at St Edburg’s Church and was followed by a parade through the Oxfordshire town involving about 500 people. Dignitaries attending included Deputy Lieutenant Miranda Markham, the mayor Cllr Jason Slaymaker and senior officers from local regiments and the United States Air Force at RAF Croughton.
The service began with a call to attention led by troops from 1 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, then a lone bugler played the Last Post to signal two minutes’ silence. Wreaths were laid on the war memorial by representatives of a host of local organisations and by representatives of twin towns in Germany, France and Poland.
Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2020
 | TOWN CELEBRATES TWINNING LINKS NEWBURY Town Council in Berkshire hosted guests from its twin and linked towns to celebrate the second stage of its twinning with Carcaixent in Spain on 13 July. The two mayors, Cllr Elizabeth O’Keeffe and Francesc Salom, signed the agreement in a ceremony at the Corn Exchange, as did the heads of the twinning associations, Zita Lang and Vincent Selfa. Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2019
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 | WARM WELCOME FOR TWIN TOWN GUESTS FROME Town Council in Somerset welcomed guests from its twin towns in Poland, Germany and France on 19 September for the annual Quadripartite event, which allows the four towns to share ideas, build relationships and learn from each other. Clerks & Councils Direct, November 2019 |
TWINNING LINKS CUT OVER CRUELTY
NEWPORT in South Wales has cut its twinning links with the autonomous region of Guangxi in China in protest at its hosting of an annual dog meat festival. The ten-day festival has been held in the city of Yulin since 2010, and sees more than 10,000 dogs killed and eaten. It has attracted protests from around the world, with animal right activists saying that dogs, including family pets, are killed and skinned inhumanely. Nearly 40,000 people signed a petition calling for Newport to end its twinning affiliation. The city council wrote a strongly worded letter to its Chinese counterpart but received no reply. Council leader Debbie Wilcox said that the association would now end after 23 years, and Guangxi’s name would be removed from all signs and literature. She added: “Nothing would strengthen the upholding of international standards and the rule of law more than by ending the abhorrent practices of the Yulin Dog Meat Festival.”
Clerks & Councils Direct, September 2019
 | NURTURING ROOTS OF FRIENDSHIP The mayor of RINGWOOD in Hampshire, Cllr Tony Ring, hosted a civic reception at Ringwood Gateway in late May for a party of visitors from twin town Pont-Audemer in Normandy. The towns were twinned in 1986 and exchange visits have been a regular feature of the relationship since. The Pont Audemer delegation was led by its mayor, M. Marcel Leroux. He brought an apple tree as a gift, which was planted in the grounds of Quaker Court, a residential complex for older people. Cllr Ring said: “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to celebrate the continuing relationship between our two towns. Long may it continue!” Clerks & Councils Direct, September 2019
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 | VE DAY REMEMBERED A delegation from MARLOW in Buckinghamshire travelled to France to celebrate VE (Victory in Europe) Day with twin town Marly-le-Roi and to take part in a remembrance service on 8 May at the town’s cemetery. The mayor, Cllr Chris Funnell, joined his French counterpart Jean-Yves Perrot and laid wreaths on behalf of Marlow residents and the British Legion, as skies cleared following torrential rain. Children from local schools read out the names of the fallen and Cllr Funnell gave a speech marking the importance of the strong twinning links and remembering the fallen soldiers from both towns. He said: “World War Two was a devastating and bloody campaign, with many heroes in both our towns.” Clerks & Councils Direct, July 2019 |
COMMUNITY EVENTS CELEBRATE SPRING
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On 25 May Vulcan Park hosted Party in the Park, a free community festival also now in its third year. This included live music, a local market, a funfair and children’s entertainment. It was sponsored by Allerdale Borough Council and the Arts Council, and their additional funding covered a special programme of street theatre. The event also marked the 25th anniversary of Workington’s twinning with the German town of Selm. Guests from Selm took part in a tree planting ceremony to mark the occasion.
Pictured L-R: football at Workington Go!; bottom left: local artists Astral Circus at Party in the Park; bottom right: tree planting ceremony with guests from Selm
Clerks & Councils Direct, July 2019
TWINNING LINKS REACH NEW HIGH
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A delegation of 23 people from BRECON in Powys, including the mayor Cllr Manny Trailor, the deputy mayor, five councillors and the town clerk, travelled to Nepal on 5 February to complete the twinning of the Welsh town with Dhampus in Machapuchare Rural Municipality. The signing and exchange of the twinning oath took place in front of a huge turnout of residents, framed by the magnificent backdrop of the Himalayas. Scrolls were supplied by Clerks & Councils Direct, including one in Nepalese translated by Nepal’s ambassador to the UK. This was followed by an afternoon and evening of cultural entertainment and celebration. According to clerk Fiona Williams, plans are now in progress to celebrate the twinning arrangement in Brecon on 9 June, on the same day as the annual Gurkha Parade
Clerks & Councils Direct, May 2019
 | TWIN TOWNS’ TRIBUTE TO PEACE GODALMING Museum recently hosted an exhibition of work by artists from the Surrey town and its twin towns of Joigny in France and Mayen in Germany. Thirty works were specially created for “The Road to Peace” exhibition, which was inspired by the First World War. It explored themes of isolation, chaos and the confusion of war, but also the hope of the armistice of 1918. Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2019 |
COUNCILS PROMOTE TWINNING INITIATIVES
NEWBURY Town Council has voted to officially twin with Carcaixent, a town near Valencia in eastern Spain. Carcaixent has been associated with the Berkshire town for over 20 years, and is already twinned with its four other twin towns, Braunfels in Germany, Bagnolssur-Cèze in France, Eeklo in Belgium and Feltre in Italy. It is hoped to invite visitors from all fi ve twin towns to Newbury for a weekend celebration in 2019. Twinning activities are organised by volunteers through the Newbury Twin Town Association, which organises at least half a dozen twinning trips and events each year. Cllr David Fenn, the town’s mayor, said: “There have been many exchanges between the people of Newbury and Carcaixent over the years, and I am very pleased to see this relationship formalised.”
Meanwhile FROME Twinning Association in Somerset is to host a European Dinner on 24 February for guests from its twin towns of Murrhardt in Germany, Rabka-Zdroj in Poland and Chateau Gontier in France. The dinner will be held at Trinity Church and the courses will be themed around each country, with French onion soup to start, followed by German pork in gravy with red cabbage and Polish cheesecake for dessert (vegetarian options are also available). In addition, a new project led by Frome Town Council will enable young locals aged 18–25 to undertake work experience placements in Murrhardt, after a number of businesses there expressed interest in taking part. Participants will have placements lasting one to two weeks and will stay with host families in the German town.
Clerks & Councils Direct, March 2018
TWINNING SUCCESS
RINGWOOD Town Council in Hampshire recently hosted a delegation from twin town Pont-Audemer, in the Normandy region of France. The annual event was organised by the Ringwood Twinning Association and kicked off with a reception at the council offices. The next day the guests visited National Trust property Kingston Lacy, accompanied by a procession of vintage cars from the Austin 7 Club. This was followed by refreshments and an exhibition of photographs of Pont-Audemer.
Clerks & Councils Direct, September 2017
 | TOWN NOTCHES UP 20 YEARS OF TWINNING Vulcan Park in WORKINGTON hosted hundreds of people on 27 May to celebrate 20 years of the Cumbrian town’s twinning with Val-de-Reuil in France. The Party in the Park was a free family event organised by the town council and featured market stalls from over 30 local businesses, street entertainers and theatre performances, live music, free face painting, children’s crafts and a funfair. The new mayor, Cllr Ann Bales, said: “It’s great to see everyone come together in the community and celebrate an anniversary that we are proud of. Everyone has had a great time, including our international visitors.” A special tree planting ceremony was held during the event to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the twinning, and the French delegation also attended the mayor-making ceremony the previous evening. Val-de-Reuil is a commune in the Eure department of Normandy and has active twinning links with communities in several other countries. Clerks & Councils Direct, July 2017 |
CELEBRATION OF TWINNING TIES
BEAMINSTER in Dorset welcomed a party from its twin town, St James in Normandy, at the end of May for a weekend of music and local culture. The event, organised by Beaminster and District Twinning Association, saw the town crier greet the 32 visitors before a reception and welcoming speeches by the town council chairman, Cllr Chris Turner, and Cllr Rebecca Knox, leader of Dorset County Council. A twinning exhibition was staged at the town’s museum, and the group visited Buckfast Abbey before catching a steam train from Buckfastleigh to Totnes. Other activities included a skittles competition and an official dinner at the Public Hall, attended by more than 70 guests. Speeches included one by Roger Angel, chairman of the Dorset Twinning Association, and the evening concluded with an exchange of gifts.
Clerks & Councils Direct, July 2017
25 YEARS OF BOULES
A PARTY of 27 people from the villages of CROSTON and Heskin in Lancashire travelled to their twin town of Azay-le-Rideau in the Loire Valley in May to take on their French counterparts at boules. The twinning has been going on for over 25 years and is entirely self-supporting, according to Alan Whittaker, chairman of the Croston/Azay Twinning Association and clerk to HESKIN Parish Council.
The trip celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Croston and District Boules League, and was organised by chairman Peter Briggs. The itinerary included two receptions and boules tournaments against local sides, and a wine tasting. The Azay twinning committee invited 140 guests to a dinner at Cheillé, where speeches and presentations were made by the mayor of Azay and the presidents of both boules clubs.
Clerks & Councils Direct September 2016
COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO RENEWABLE ENERGY
FROME Town Council recently hosted an event entitled “Switch to a Renewable Future”, which brought together local, regional and European experts on renewable energy. Part of its thematic twinning programme, it was attended by 90 delegates from twin towns in France, Germany and Poland, along with over 200 people from Frome and Somerset.
The two-day event (above) covered topics such as energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable lifestyles, including finance, low-carbon buildings, food waste, river power and electric vehicles. The council also launched a discussion paper on how the town could become the first in the UK go fossil fuel-free by 2046.
Meanwhile the council continues to support Frome Business Breakfasts, a regular networking event. Over 40 people visited Dennis Maps on the Marston Estate for an informal breakfast and a tour led by managing director Steve Burry (below).
The April breakfast focused on the role of Frome Chamber of Commerce while the May meeting, to be held at Frome College, will look at the relationship between education and work and the role of apprentices.
Clerks & Councils Direct May 2016
RINGWOOD Town Council recently entertained guests from twin town Pont Audemer in France, with a reception at the council offices. The annual event is organised by the French Twinning Association, which is separate from the council and other twinning groups in the town. The mayor, Cllr Michael Thierry, presented the visitors with a watercolour picture, and other guests were given branded mugs and shopping bags.
Clerks & Councils Direct, July 2015
PONTYPOOL Community Council is to cease funding twinning arrangements. It has handed over responsibility, including for a three-yearly twinning conference and youth festival, to Pontypool Twinning Association. In 2009 the festival cost around £24,000, and the move will save the council thousands of pounds each year. Chairman Cllr Giles
Davies said: “I’m not against twinning but I don’t think taxpayers should foot the bill – it should instead come from grants. I feel the money would be better spent elsewhere, especially in today’s economic climate.”
Clerks & Councils Direct January 2014
TWENTY YEARS OF TWINNING
IN May WALTHAM ABBEY celebrated the 20th anniversary of its twinning arrangement with Hörstel in Germany. The two towns signed a Town Twinning Charter in 1993, and the past 20 years have seen many visits and the building of great friendships.
A weekend of celebrations saw 74 German visitors attend a special church service with music by Tallis and Brahms and a sermon in German by the Rev Rod Reid. This was followed by a town hall ceremony where the mayor, Cllr Elizabeth Webster, and Heinz Hüppe, Bürgermeister of Hörstel, signed a charter reaffirming the partnership.
Cllr Webster said: “I am delighted to celebrate this anniversary with our German friends and we look forward to another 20 years of friendship between our two towns.” Herr Hüppe presented the town council with a sculpture depicting friendship and a carpet bearing the town crests of both councils.
Earlier, Cllr Webster and Herr Hüppe hoisted a flag to mark the launch of the town’s Festival Season. The Festival of Flags will continue throughout the summer, and there will be a food festival and an Italian market. The German group continued their visit with sightseeing in London and Brighton, including tea at the Houses of Parliament.
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| Cllr Elizabeth Webster and Bürgermeister Heinz Hüppe sign the reaffirmation charter at the town hall | Cllr Elizabeth Webster and Bürgermeister Heinz Hüppe hoist the festival flag |
Clerks & Councils Direct July 2013
LUDLOW’S French Twinning Association welcomed 40 visitors from the town of La Ferté-Macé in Normandy at the end of May, to celebrate 25 years of twinning. The guests were welcomed by civic leaders, and treated to a variety of social and cultural events. Town twinning has a tradition stretching back more than a century, with Keighley being the first British town to forge a “sister cities” link with Suresnes and Puteaux in France, in 1905. The practice really took off after the Second World War.
However, according to a recent BBC News Magazine report, more and more British towns are scrapping their twinning arrangements. Among them are BISHOP’S STORTFORD, which has ended support for its 46-year links with Friedberg and Villiers sur Marne. Council leader John Wyllie remarked that the practice “didn’t have as much relevance in today’s society”.
DONCASTER‘s mayor, Peter Davies, scrapped links with five cities to save cash in 2009. He said: “I don’t think I’ve had one complaint … and there’s no evidence that it made a blind bit of difference to Doncaster’s economy. Only about a dozen people ever benefited from these trips. I can see that it arose out of altruistic motives after the war, but it just became about junkets.”
Clerks & Councils Direct July 2012
OFFICIALS and dignitaries from Cwmbran’s twin town of Bruchsal in Germany visited the Welsh town in early August as part of a twinning association that began in 1979. CWMBRAN Community Council laid on a full programme of activities for its guests, including visits to local attractions such as Greenmeadow Community Farm, the Congress Theatre and the Big Pit. Members of the delegation also visited local play schemes, schools and a youth centre during their five-day visit, and were treated to a brass band concert and fish and chips.
Clerks & Councils Direct September 2012
IN PRAISE OF TWINNING
WITH reference to your article in the July issue, “Is twinning out of fashion?”, I should like to report that there is a corner of DONCASTER where twinning is alive and well, despite the remarks made by Doncaster’s elected mayor, Peter Davies, who describes twinning, amongst other things, as being “about junkets”.
Our Association is twinned with the town of Merksplas in Belgium. The link was formed because a soldier born in our area who fought to liberate the town was killed in Merksplas during World War II and was awarded a posthumous VC. We were officially “twinned” in 2010, although we started to correspond before this date.
Since the start, our local brass band has been over on two occasions to give concerts, a local primary school has formed links with schools in Merksplas and regular contact is made through Skype, and exchange visits between teachers have been held. We were also invited to the 65th anniversary of the town’s liberation.
As part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations we have recently hosted approximately 50 people from Merksplas, including 23 young people between the ages of 13 and 15, who were entertained by our local Academy and enjoyed activities at the local Water Park. In the future, we are hoping that our local theatre group will form links and will perform in Merksplas, and other links are being planned.
We are very conscious that local people may regard twinning as a “junket”, which is why all the costs of hosting our friends from Merksplas are met by fundraising. All the costs of our Association members are met by ourselves and none of these costs come from the fundraising or from the public purse.
To answer Mr Davies: no, we don’t make any difference to the local economy, but we have made many friendships and have learned a great deal about another country’s culture – and long may it continue.
Duncan Wright, Secretary
Hatfield and Merksplas Twinning Association, Doncaster
Clerks & Councils Direct September 2012