As you enter Chesham, you will have noticed on the signs announcing your arrival, the names of three other towns, together with the national flags of their countries. These are Chesham’s twin towns, namely Friedrichsdorf in Germany established in 1981, followed by Houilles near Paris in 1985 and Archena in Spain in 1995.
When established, twinning links were formally agreed between the Mayor of Chesham and Chesham Town Council with the Mayor of each of these towns.
For many years twinning links were maintained by the Chesham Town Twinning Association with corresponding groups in our twin towns. Members hosted visitors from these groups and were in turn hosted on return visits. Many friendships developed as a result. Although the Town Twinning Association ceased its activities a few years ago, a new local twinning group remain committed to maintaining these links will full support of the Mayor and Town Council.
Since the pandemic, we have been working with local sporting and voluntary groups to develop new friendship links. Two years ago, Chesham Youth Council participated in a project involving youth groups from our twin towns in the preparation of a presentation on a theme taken from the United Nations World Development Goals. They participated in a youth conference organised by the twinning association in Houilles and their presentation at a reception at Houilles Town Hall was very well received.
Last year a party of about 30 adults and children from Chesham 1879 Tennis Club took part in a sports tournament organised by the Houilles Twinning Association. They were accommodated on a local campsite and were made most welcome by their hosts. Later in the year, our Mayor, Councillor Wilford Augustus visited Friedrichsdorf with a message of goodwill, and presented a gift to the Mayor of Friedrichsdorf. (Gifts received in return from our twinning partners can be viewed in the glass cabinet in The Council Chamber). Our current Mayor Councillor Francis Holly will be attending a twinning meet in September in Houilles France.
This year with the support of The Chesham Society, Chesham in Bloom have planted an imaginative floral display in the town including emblems from the coats of arms from Chesham, Houilles and Friedrichsdorf to promote twinning.
In May 2024 two members of our twinning group represented Chesham at a twinning meet in Friedrichsdorf. Following a weekend programme of interesting visits and lively social events, there was a reception hosted by the Mayor of Friedrichsdorf where they delivered a goodwill message on behalf of the Mayor of Chesham. In return, a gift was received from the Mayor of Friedrichsdorf. A floral display promoting twinning was also inaugurated.
As a group we shall be organising social events with a twinning theme for anyone interested in twinning activities. If you would like to find out more, please contact Roderick McCulloch at [email protected] or telephone 07740 460744.