THE STORY OF TOWN TWINNING

Town Twinning is about creating friendship between towns, communities, groups, families and individuals.  The idea was born out of the ashes of the Second World War, part of a determination that the countries of Europe should live in peace.  They decided that the way forward should be to create a series of links and relationships between them, such as to make war impractical, unthinkable.  That was the thinking behind the European Community – you don’t go to war with your suppliers, or your customers.  Equally, you don’t willingly accept war with the people who host your children’s school exchange visit, or send their church choir to perform in your town.  That’s what twinning is about.  

So - create personal friendships - but how? 

In Prudhoe we have always found that it works best if you link like-minded groups.  Everyone knows in advance that they have something in common - you’re a musician, you’ll host another musician; you’re a swimmer, you’ll stay with another swimmer.

2013 was a quieter year for town twinning after the excitements of the 30th anniversary celebrations of twinning with Mitry-Mory in 2012. However, the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council visited Mitry in October to strengthen the links between the two councils, while the town-twinning groups have also been hard at work planning a larger calendar of events for 2014. In recent cultural exchanges, local rock band Lyrical Whisky made a successful visit to Mitry in November, while Tynedale Gynmastics Club (including Prudhoe members) took part in a competition in Mitry this January.

Town twinning actively seeks new members: if you want to get involved, please contact Derek Gillespie, Chairman of the Association, on 01661 834033. To follow news of developments in Mitry (in French), please log on to their council website, www.mitry-mory.fr

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS AND ARCHIVE MATERIAL WERE SUPPLIED BY MRS MOIRA WOOLDRIDGE, WE HOPE YOU ENJOY VIEWING THEM

First School Exchange Visit	Football crazy!!!
A shared vision...	The Prudhoe Gleemen of days gone by!
Signing the Charter!	The original Town Twinning Ceremony invitations
The 20th Anniversary
	Eglise St. Martin
French school children
	Parc de la Mairie
	Matfen Brewery BBQ
	U3A 2010
	Wrestling Team 2010
June 2011