Twinning is a national movement and Bognor Regis is one of many towns in Great
Britain with twinning links in Europe. Bognor Regis Twinning Association is an
independent organisation run by a committee of volunteers elected each year at
the Annual General Meeting open to members and the public at the Town Hall. The
Association is self-funding, and has been successful in obtaining grants from
the European Union for specific purposes.
An
Adult Education exchange between the French twin town of Saint-Maur and Bognor
takes place annually, with visits alternating between the towns. Visitors from
the German towns, or Partnerstädte, Weil am Rhein and Trebbin come to Bognor
every third year, while Bognor members visit either Weil am Rhein or Trebbin in
the two intervening years, where they are joined by friends from Trebbin in
Weil am Rhein or vice-versa. Many friendships have been formed over the years
and a number of members travel to one or more of the twin towns on private
visits between exchanges.
Saint-Maur-des-Fossés was the first town to form links with Bognor Regis.
Established in 1980, the link continues to be very successful. Saint-Maur now
boasts a small area of land named “Square Bognor Regis”, in addition to a
“Promenade des Anglais” along the river Marne. In return, Bognor has a “Place
St. Maur des Fossés” to remind us of our French twin town.
Bognor’s initial twinning with Germany took place in 1987 with the
south-western town of Weil am Rhein which sought twinning links with an English
seaside resort. Our excellent climate and pleasant coastline is very popular
with German visitors both from Weil am Rhein and Trebbin.
Weil am Rhein already had twinning links with the town of Trebbin in former
east Germany, so it seemed a natural development for Bognor to adopt this link
as well. In 1996 official twinning charters were signed with Trebbin, building
on the existing links between Bognor Regis and Saint-Maur-des-Fossés and Weil
am Rhein.
Twinning offers many opportunities: it promotes friendship between people in
the home town and twin towns as well as the chance to visit one or more of the
twin towns. Members are under no obligation to host, but many like to do so. As
well as the opportunity to attend a number of social and fund-raising evenings
during the year, members receive a regular newsletter about the Association’s
activities. Language skills amongst members vary greatly, but lack of French or
German is no barrier. In fact, many of our overseas visitors are keen to
practise their English language skills.
Membership fees for 2012 are £6.00 for an individual or £10.00 for a couple. As
a member you also have the opportunity to purchase a Twinning Association tie
or scarf.
Please contact us for further information if you are interested in joining or attending one of the regular events. Our e-mail address is admin@bognortwinning.co.uk
Bognor Regis Town Council Website
http://www.bognorregis.gov.uk