Hythe's Twinned Towns
| Poperinge | Berck sur Mer | Newsletter |
 |
Presentation by Hythe Twinning Association of an ash tree to our Belgian twin town of Poperinge as a symbol of our long friendship and to mark their 20th Hopfest. 17/9/05
L to R: Stewart Weller, Dennis and Mave Bradley, Mandy Parris, Kevin Howell, Sally and Neil Matthews. |
| Hythe Twinning Association | ||
| The Association was founded in
1978 by a group of forward thinking people who realised that our future was
linked to Europe. To this end they looked at several towns in France, Belgium and Germany before they chose Poperinge & Berck. The connection with Poperinge is via Toc H and Lord Wakefield. The Rev Tubby Clayton started Toc H at Talbot House in Poperinge which was used by him to set up a rest centre for officers coming out from the Front. When the house came on the market in about 1929, Lord Wakefield, a personal friend of Tubby, bought it and presented it to Toc H. It has been the 'Mecca' of that association ever since. A local representative has served on this association's committee since it's inception. Berck-sur-Mer was chosen because of it's similarity to Hythe. A seasonal sea-side resort with about the same population facing us across the Channel. In addition, Portex had set up a factory there to comply with French regulations for supplying their Health Service and this provided a starting point. The aim of the Association is to foster friendship with the peoples of our twin towns and to encourage - activities, hospitality, exchanges etc. Membership is open to all including other organisations, membership fees are only £5 per year for individuals or £7 for the family. The Association is entirely independent of any other body, Officers and the Executive Committee being elected by the members. In each case the Charters were signed after two or three years of "getting to know you" exchanges, Berck in 1981 and Poperinge in 1982. It is in our constitution that the Mayor of Hythe is asked to be our President during their turn in office. So far we have only had one refusal since 1978. Our primary task is to be facilitators and enablers, encouraging groups and organisations particularly the young people to make contact with their counterparts in the twin towns. For more information contact Amanda Parris on 01303 268375 or e-mail at hythe.twinning@hydanthe.freeuk.com |
||
 |