An organisation behind the twinning arrangements between Crewe and Nantwich and European towns is urging more young people to get involved.
Twinning/friendship agreements have their origins in the rebuilding of Europe after the Second World War.
They were seen as important mechanisms for breaking down barriers between people created through not sharing a common language.
Crewe and Nantwich has historically been twinned with three towns – Macon in France, Bischofsheim in Germany and Dzierzoniow in Poland.
In 2016, Nantwich Town Council formally agreed to renew two of the twinning agreements, with Bischofsheim and Dzierżoniów.
Crewe Town Council, which launched in 2013, formally entered a twinning agreement with Macon in 2018.
But the Crewe and Nantwich Twinning Association (CANTA), which maintains the links, is reducing in number because its members are getting older.
Former Nantwich councillor David Marren, of CANTA, said there are no young members but they are needed to make sure twinning continues in the future.
He said: “Town twinning fosters friendship, both at the civic and personal level.
“Twinning helps people develop their language skills; it exposes them to a different way of life and different cultures.
“In what is becoming an ever more complex and complicated world, twinning brings people together. Twinning is a force for good.
“It can develop cultural, educational, sporting and recreational links for mutual benefit particularly through exchange visits and tourism.
“It gives young and old an opportunity to share ideas, views, experiences and to build new connections and friendships. And sometimes provide good business opportunities.
“If you want to build a relationship with a football club, or choir, or museum, or cycling club, or church or concert band, or any club you are in, you can link with your opposite in one of the towns and maybe travel over to see or play them.
“From a cost perspective it’s a lovely learning and holiday opportunity at a bargain price.
“Whilst you have to pay to get there, you would normally be hosted and fed but with an expectation of reciprocation.
“It’s a trip that would help develop your language, though most in all three towns can speak English.
“But it’s not mainly about learning a foreign language, it’s about enjoying yourself, making new friends, having a great holiday and bringing us all closer together.”
Mâcon is a picturesque town in eastern France with a population of around 36,000. It has lots of Mediterranean-style, pastel-coloured houses with red-tiled roofs, the city sits on the Saône riverbank and is famous for its surrounding vineyards and white wines, particularly in the Mâconnais region.
Bischofsheim is a small town with a population of around 13,000 and lies south of the river Main and east of the river Rhine.
It is known for its history as a major railway hub. Its location is only 6 km from Mainz, which is highly accessible by car or a 5-minute train ride and so is a lovely base for a holiday.
Dzierzoniow is a historical Lower Silesian town which has a population around 30,000.
It strongly promotes its tourism offer as the region has numerous attractions with the hills, mountains and nearby natural and man-made lakes which are tailor made for activity holidays.
If you are interested in joining CANTA and want to chat and discuss, email [email protected]
(Pic of previous visit by European visitors in 2014)
I am completely against any public money being spent on this outdated concept – totally unnecessary now we live in a globalised world and people travel abroad frequently. I am happy for CANTA to be abolished.