(International and Twinning Officer) of Watford Council.
Since 1956 Watford Council has been encouraging links with towns and cities in other countries in the name of international friendship.
We were one of the first Greater London Boroughs to enter into a partnership with a European city when we formed our links with the German city of Mainz.
We've worked hard ever since to establish and develop links with a wide variety of towns.
The borough is not only linked with Europe through its contacts in Mainz, Nanterre and Pesaro but we reach out into wider cultural ties through twinning agreements with the American city of Wilmington, as well as with Novgorod, our Russian connection.
Exchanges between Watford and it's international sisters are encouraged with many local groups enjoying visits as well as playing host to guests from our twin towns.
"Many people get involved in the link - it is not an activity solely reserved for people at the Town Hall as is a common perception - in fact up to 10 different schools have been involved this year as have students from West Herts College and Herons Youth Football Club; the baton twirlers have been to France and the Hosier and Dickinson band have been to Germany. Next year the girls soccer club hopes to go to America, the Medical Society and Pump House Clog Morris Dancers hope to go to Pesaro and pupils from Francis Combe School plan to go to Novgorod... these are just some examples of what is going on, as you can see there is quite a bit happening.Please could you let people know that financial assistance is available from the Council and that if anyone has any queries they can contact me at the Town Hall on 01923 226400 ext: 8328. People need to know that this is a service which is open to them and which they can access. Town twinning is a really good way for young people in particular to make friends in different countries and to have the opportunity to travel and experience different cultures."
link with Mainz, formed nearly forty years ago, seemed an ideal partnership
which has now grown into a rewarding friendship for both the German and
British participants.
Mainz is situated in the wine producing Rhinelandpfalz region and has a population of about 190,000 - making it about twice the size of Watford.
Famous as the home of printer Johannes Gutenburg, Mainz is an impressive city of museums, an opera house, theatre, cathedral and university.
Many local groups, including local schools, community groups and the commercial sector, have visited the city through Watford's twinning programme.
Watford is taking part with Mainz in the European Year against Racism, with the 'Art Action Project'.
Situated north west of Paris with a population of around 100,000 people,
Nanterre has some geographic similarities with Watford with commuters also
travelling into the capital for work.
The town has a university, theatre and bustling market area and is only 15 minutes to Paris on the RER.
Many local schools have taken advantage of Watford's links with Nanterre in their foreign language tuition and exchanges are also encouraged between sporting, cultural and other community groups.
is possibly the most tourism orientated of Watford's twins.
The friendship is comparatively new, having been formed in 1988.
Pesaro is famous as the birthplace Giocchino Rossini.
It's a very picturesque place with some buildings dating back to the fifteenth century. Crammed with fascinating history, the town boasts a fort, ducal palace, delightful town square, museums and Rossini theatre, not to mention several kilometres of wonderful beach.
With a population of around 200,000 people, Novgorod is the largest of Watford's twins. Novgorod lies in Russia, part of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The friendship was formed in 1984 and has resulted in many exchanges and visits.
It's a fascinating town, with a history dating back more than 1,000 years. It has some beautiful and historic buildings including St. Sophia's cathedral and an intriguing museum of wooden architecture. Twinning links are particularly important to Novgorod, allowing the city administration to draw on Western experience and advice in many areas, as well as providing the opportunity for many cultural, sporting and community groups to experience a completely different culture and lifestyle.
If you would like a Russian pen pal (9-25), please contact Stephen Fletcher of Watford Council on 01923 278328.
For more information about the Watford-Novgorod Friendship Society, please visit their web site at www.watnov.free-online.co.uk or contact via their contacts page.
as Sister Cities Inc.
Although Watford's friendship with Wilmington started in 1985, there's recently been an expansion of interest which means more and more exchanges are being planned.
Wilmington is in the state of Delaware, situated on the Brandywine River, on America's east coast.
Historically, the town was founded by Swedish and Finnish settlers. There are many beautiful buildings reflecting its Scandinavian roots alongside the traditional hi tech style of most American cities.