Bridgnorth is ‘twinned’ with Thiers in France and Schrobenhausen in Germany, maintaining a proud tradition of cultural exchange and international goodwill.
This month, 23 members of the Bridgnorth & District Twinning Association visited Thiers. The trip aimed to strengthen the bonds of friendship that have developed between the towns, reinforcing the importance of European partnerships.
The visit coincided with the annual Pamparina music festival, which showcased a range of bands and music genres, adding a lively backdrop to the weekend’s events. Members of the group stayed either in nearby hotels or with local hosts, experiencing the hospitality and charm of Thiers firsthand.
A communal lunch on Sunday brought together ‘twinners’ from France, England, and Germany, fostering new connections, reuniting old friends, and creating lasting memories. Notably, Mayor Stephane attended despite the French elections taking place the same day, underscoring the importance of the twinning relationship.
“What an adventure!” said Fran Spicer, Treasurer of Bridgnorth Twinning and trip organiser. “Lunch on the Sunday was the highlight of the trip. We all had dedicated time to reminisce about previous get-togethers and meet new people from our twin towns. We even had a sing-along session with popular songs from each country! It was such a special relationship-building experience.”
Over the long-weekend, the group also enjoyed a guided tour of the historic spa town of Vichy, an exclusive showing of short films in French, German, and English at the local cinema and visits to the Sanctuary of Notre Dame de l’Hermitage, a pilgrimage destination in the mountains, and Cervieres, a picturesque rural nearby village.
Looking ahead, plans are already under way for Bridgnorth to host representatives from Thiers and Schrobenhausen next summer.
“We are very proud of our ongoing twinning events and relationships between Bridgnorth, Thiers and Schrobenhausen,” said Chair of Bridgnorth Twinning, Nicky Cooper. “Many towns with twinning counterparts are no longer actively engaged, but we are excited and passionate about creating fond memories of travelling, discovering new cultures, learning and practising foreign languages and forming friendships. Surely now more than ever building relationships with our partners in Europe is essential?”
CAPTION: Bridgnorth Twinning representatives on their trip to Thiers.
If you are interested in joining or learning more about Twinning visit: www.bridgnorthtwinning.com
