Twinning

Twinning became popular following the Second World War and was encouraged as a means of redeveloping links with other countries and communities.

The processs was encouraged to break down barriers and prejudices between nations with the aim that this could help prevent another global conflict.

Twinning in the borough

The borough's two principal towns Long Eaton and Ilkeston have well established twinning links with European towns under which there is an active programme of exchange visits.

We are pleased to support these twin town arrangements wich are described below, and extends a sincere welcome to all visitors to Erewash from overseas.

Ilkeston Twinning Association

The towns of Ilkeston and Châlons-sur-Marne (later to be renamed Châlons-en-Champagne) signed a twinning charter on 11 April 1957, but the story had really begun some ten years earlier.

In the grim atmosphere of an exhausted and devastated Europe the city of Bristol decided to send a goodwill mission to Hanover, to offer the hand of friendship and help. It was accepted. Further twinning links between some of the leading British and German cities and towns followed in 1948 and 1949. The idea caught on. This was a way to develop real understanding between people, to prevent discord and war. It could add another dimension to local community life. It provided activity for young people. Ideas and culture could grow.

Twinning also began between French and German cities and then in the 1950's the Société Bilingue with the help of the British local authority associations assumed the role of broker and began to urge British towns and cities to sponsor twinning links. They wrote to Ilkeston and in 1955 the Borough Council of Ilkeston decided to seize the opportunity. The rest, as they say, is history ...

Originally, the link was primarily a civic one between the former borough of Ilkeston and the Municipality of Châlons. Whilst the civic link with the twinning association remains, twinning activities have been extended in recent years to include exchanges between groups and societies in the two towns. Sporting exchanges are very popular with strong links through athletics, basketball, football, gymnastics, judo, rifle shooting, rugby, squash and table tennis. Châlons-en-Champagne (population approximately 60,000) is notes for the many historical associations and its connections with the production of champagne.

Visits between the two towns take place every two years. 2007 was a special year for the two towns as it was the 50th anniversary of the twinning link. The next visit by Ilkeston to Chalons-en-Champagne will take place at Easter 2009.

The Ilkeston Association is managed by an Executive Committee which is elected annually by the Association and which meets, very approximately, at monthly intervals. For further information call the Civic Support Office at the Town Hall on 0115 907 1115.

Long Eaton Twinning Association

The Long Eaton Twinning Association was established in 1961 and its aims and objectives as described in its constitution are to 'promote good relations and exchanges of all types' between Long Eaton and its twin towns. These are Romorantin-Lanthenay, in the Loire Valley of France and Langen, near Frankfurt in Germany.

Organised visits take place each year with one town acting as host to the other two towns in rotation. Members stay with families in their homes and some entertainment and visits to places of interest are arranged by the host Twinning Association. In addition, various other organisations in the town have visited or been host to their counterparts in Romorantin-Lanthenay and Langen.

Anyone interested in the Association is eligible to join on payment of a modest annual subscription.

The Secretary of the Association is Christine Wild who can be contacted by email at christinewild@tiscali.co.uk.

Information on other websites

Long Eaton Twinning Association website (opens in a new window)

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