Town Twinning
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Town officials from Beverley and Islahiyi, in Turkey, are celebrating a blossoming relationship. | TASTE OF TURKISH DELIGHT AS BEVERLEY SIGNS DECLARATION An East Yorkshire town has signed a declaration of friendship with a Turkish town. BEVERLEY Deputy Mayor Alison Healy, extended a heartfelt welcome to Mayor of Islahiye Kemal Vural and visitors from Turkey, along with other guests as the two communities came together. Beverley businessman Ali Tecke asked the council if it would be possible to form a friendship between the town and his home town, following the generosity and support Beverlonians gave when Islahiye was hit by a devastating earthquake in 2023. Local residents and businesses donated funds and provided hundreds of items that formed aid packages that were sent to support the people of Islahiye. Councillor Healy expressed her excitement for the evolving friendship between Beverley and Islahiye and added: “I am eager to see our relationship blossom. As the saying goes, ‘Different cultures, one universal truth: friendship is timeless.’ And indeed, friendship is ‘a global symphony of laughter and understanding’.” Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2025
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Hertford and Wildeshausen visitors present a united front at Hertford Castle. | GERMAN VISITORS ENJOY HERTFORD TRIP Mayor of HERTFORD Rachel Carter hosted a welcome reception for visiting guests from twin town Wildeshausen, in Germany, at Hertford Castle. A wonderful morning celebrated the long-standing friendship between the two towns, with guests enjoying refreshments and a tour guided by volunteers from the Friends of Hertford Castle. Gifts were exchanged between the Mayor of Hertford and her counterpart, Mayor of Wildeshausen Jens Kuraschinski, with further gifts given to guests from Wildeshausen as a memento of their visit. Cllr Carter said: “Meeting our friends from Wildeshausen has been one of the highlights of my Mayoral year and has been a great opportunity to strengthen the ties between our twin towns.” Clerks & Councils Direct, January 2025 |
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| CROSS-CHANNEL MUSIC APPRECIATION FOR MAYOR’S FINALE Civic guests, residents and French twinning guests packed Holy Trinity Church in BRADFORD ON AVON. Organised by the town council, the concert showcased some of the Wiltshire town’s musical talent and celebrated links with Sully-sur-Loire. More than £700 was raised for Alzheimer’s Support Wiltshire and Oxfam in an event that also marked the end of Katie Vigar’s two terms as Mayor. “One of the special things about Bradford on Avon is our community’s love of music and singing,” she said. “We have such a strength in music, and all the groups that took part gave truly inspiring performances.” Clerks & Councils Direct, July 2024 |
 | 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