Town Twinning

Application form for Town Twinning Grant

Town twinning is a way of forming friendships across nations, giving individuals, schools and other establishments the opportunity for learning about the culture, language and lifestyle of similar communities in other countries. Town twinning is widely recognised as an important aid to international understanding and friendship.

Town twinning was first started in the 1950s as a way of building strong community links across European borders following the Second World War.

Did you know that the Borough of Berwick-upon-Tweed has five towns and that you could be involved in developing these partnerships?

Twinning Links

• Berwick , Pennsylvania ( USA – 1998)
• City of Casey ( Australia – 1982)
• Haan ( Germany – 1982)
• Sarpsborg ( Norway – 1990)
• Trzcianka ( Poland – 2000)

Berwick , Pennsylvania

Berwick Pennsylvania, located in the scenic Susquehanna Valley was founded in 1786 by Evan Owen. Links were first established in 1936 when the Mayor, Sheriff and Sergeant at Mace visited the town to celebrate the town’s 150 th anniversary. A further visit by the Sheriff and Lady in 1961, was made during the 175 th Anniversary and as a result a pupil exchange scheme inaugurated with a pupil attending the Grammar school here and a pupil attending the High School in Berwick, Pennsylvania. The link has remained strong although it was not until 1998 that the formal twinning agreement was signed by the Mayors of both towns.

The Berwick Pennsylvania Exchange Committee is a very active organisation, which arranges exchange visits to and from Berwick, Pennsylvania every two years. The next visit is to Berwick-upon-Tweed in 2006.

Website address - www.city-data.com/city/Berwick-Pennsylvania

City of Casey , Victoria, Australia

The City of Casey was proclaimed on December 1994 but was formerly known as Berwick, Australia and has been twinned with the Borough since 1982.

Situated 40 kilometres south east of Melbourne, Casey boasts a beautiful and diverse environment. Casey is Victoria’s fastest growing town, with a population of 180,000 (around 7-8,000 people settle in Casey each year) and it is not surprising that Casey is home to more than 4,000 businesses.

The Civic Party will visit Casey during the Commonwealth Games in March 2006. City of Casey have also invited young people to participate in the ‘Edwin Flack Games’ 19 June – 8 July 2006. All athletes must be aged between 16 and 18 years at that time. Athletes, coaches and their representatives will be hosted by Casey. If you are interested in participating in the Games contact jat@bewick-upon-tweed.gov.uk

Website address – http://www.casey.vic.gov.au

Haan , Germany

Located between the Rhine and the Wupper the area is intersected at intervals by rivers and streams. The valleys are nature reserves, which offer pleasant settings for walks or bicycle rides. Haan has good transport links with a motorway to Düsseldorf.

Haan has been twinned with the Borough since 1982 and has a strong link with Berwick Male Voice Choir. The Haan Choir will be visiting the Borough 28-30 th April 2006.

Useful Contacts:

www.haan.de

Mayor : Buergermeister@Stadt-Haan.de

Tourism – kulturamt@stadt-haan.de

Youth – kontakt@cvjmhaan.dewww.cvjmhaan.de

Sarpsborg , Norway

A twinning arrangement with Sarpsborg has existed since 1961 and this was formalised in 1990. Sarpsborg is the third oldest city in Norway and today the modern Sarpsborg is a small city with 47,000 inhabitants.

There is a strong link between Berwick Male Voice Choir and Sarpsborg. The Choir visits Sarpsborg in September 2006 to participate in their 140 th birthday celebrations.

Website address – www.sarpsborg.com

Trzcianka , Poland

Trzcianka is the Borough’s latest twinning link set up in 2000. The district and town of Trzcianka is situated in the north-west of Wielkipolska region, on a border between Walcz Lake District and Nortec valley. Trzcianka is situated in picturesque countryside of lakes and forests which attracts tourists from all parts of Poland and is 90 kilometres from Poznan.

The town has a population of 17,000 and the local economy is a mixture of agriculture and industrial sectors. The main industries are food, processing, containers and wood. The town has a museum, school and a local newspaper ‘The Voice of Trcianka’.

The Civic Party have just returned from a very successful visit to Trzcianka. Links with young people to and from are especially welcome.

Website address – www.trzcianka.pl

Twinning Grants and Financial Support

There are costs associated with twinning, notably travel and accommodation. Travelling costs are usually borne by the participant (but are often minimised by arranging group travel) and hosts normally provide free accommodation for their guests.

Where twinning activities might be limited by lack of money there are sources of support. Limited EU funding is available for projects which strengthen community links and encourage closer contacts.

Twinning in the Borough is supported by the Twinning Forum. Awards can be made for funding visiting groups from overseas and organised trips for young people, sporting and cultural groups, socially disadvantaged groups or groups who would not otherwise be able to travel, and which would benefit the social or economic life of the area. The Twinning Forum is especially keen to promote links with youngsters or new twinning links.

Full details and an application form are available by contacting:

Berwick-upon-Tweed Twinning Forum

Council Offices

Wallace Green

Berwick-upon-Tweed

TD15 1ED

Tel. No. 01289 301720

jat@berwick-upon-tweed.gov.uk

Other useful contacts

Local Government International Bureau (LGIB)

Provides information on all aspects of twinning. They also give assistance in the form of advice on grants for twinning projects:

Local Government International Bureau

Local Government House

Smith Square

London SW1P 3HZ

Tel: 020 7664 3100

Website address: http://www.lgib.gov.uk

Connect Youth International

Information on obtaining funding to assist in twinning projects aimed at young people can be obtained from Connect Youth International:

The British Council

10 Spring Gardens

London SW1A 2BN

Tel: 020 7389 4030

Website address – http://www.connectyouthinternational.com

European Parliament

2 Queen Anne’s Gates

London

SW1H 9AA

Tel 020 7227 4300

Website address – http://www.europarl.org.uk

European Commission

8 Storey’s Gate

London

SW1P 3AT

Tel: 020 7973 1992

Website address – http://www.cec.org.uk or http://www/europa.eu.int