Swanley Twinning

Welcome to our official Web Site.  If you are new to Twinning, these pages will provide an introduction to our Association, its aims, history and achievements.  If you are already a member,  there pages will provide you with a calendar of forthcoming events,  write ups of previous happenings, the most recent Newsletters and much more.

So what is Twinning?  It is the official joining of two towns in a bond of friendship. In our case we are twinned with the French town Verrieres-le-Buisson, a delightfully active town roughly the same size as Swanley and situated some twenty miles south of Paris. (Detailed information may be found on other pages).

As an Association, we gratefully receive some financial support from Swanley Town Council. Our President is the Chairman of Swanley Council, during his term of office. The day-to-day events are organised by a Management Committee, elected annually, consisting of our Chairman and some eight members.

But what do we actually do? The most important event is the exchange visit between the two towns. On alternate years, we board a coach and travel to Verrieres where we stay in the homes of our hosts and participate in the interesting tours arranged for us. The tours are terrific, but of greater value is the time we spend with our French hosts in their homes. I could write reams about this (see elsewhere) but to mention a few possibilities such as sharing recipes, expeditions to the local shopping markets, talking politics and taxes, helping the young ones with their English homework, swapping cuttings from the garden (probably illegal!), picking up the odd bit of French language.......

The following year it all happens again when our French friends visit us.

Although I have stressed the importance of "hosting", you are never expected to host unless you wish to do so.  We have several members who never host, either way, but join us in any event they choose. They are all most welcome.

Finally, I must mention something about the language. Lack of fluency in French is no bar whatsoever!  Some of or members are up to "guide translator" level. These are few and far between. Others get by with "school" level French. Others get by with nothing!  Myself, I get by with Franglais, a not-to-be-despised French/English cross, which improves every time.

So why not think about joining? It's not expensive. It's great fun.

Don't miss out!  Welcome!

Mike Crowther-Watson, Swanley Twinning Association.