Swanley Twinning

Welcome to the web site of Swanley Twinning Association.

Swanley is officially twinned with Verrières-le-Buisson in France. We are a group of people from Swanley and the villages nearby who enjoy exploring France, the French people and their way of life, and, of course, French cuisine and wine. The twinning charter was signed in 1985 following initial contacts made between individuals from the two towns some time earlier. Since then it has developed to the point where up to 100 people, schoolchildren, families and individuals representing different organisations visit their hosts each year.

The aims of the Association are to foster the links and friendships between Swanley and Verrières-le-Buisson, and to promote similar links with other countries. It is purely a voluntary organisation, though it does receive some financial assistance from Swanley Town Council. We hope to ensure that everyone with an interest in twinning, improving their language skills, or international understanding, especially the young, has an opportunity to take part.

A key feature of this Anglo-French relationship is the annual exchange visit; usually the first weekend in May, each taking turn to host the other in alternate years. There are many other less formal individual, group and family visits and exchanges going on nearly all year round. Some members have planted a Swanley Garden in Verrieres to commemmorate the millenium. The Association is pleased to assist and promote other links of a cultural, educational or sporting nature and, in addition, opportunities exist for linking pen-pals, student exchanges and work-experience placements.

Back home we have a busy social calendar that includes a monthly ramble (never too arduous) usually followed by a Sunday pub lunch and some longer walks, We have barbecues, wine-tasting and other outings, including a members' Christmas dinner.

Every year, Swanley Twinning Association organises a wide variety of social events for members.

A typical year includes many of the following:

• Rambles - normally the last Sunday in each month.
• Annual General Meeting - in February, followed by cheese and wine
• Exchange Visits - usually the first weekend in May, and Club ABC at the end of May.
• Indoor Bowls, Ten-pin bowling, Greyhound Racing.
• The Sevenoaks Circular Walk (20 or 30 miles) in March; the Marche de la Bievere (10, 30 or 50km), a walk starting from Paris in May.
• A vineyard visit and al fresco dining any time.
• The Christmas Dinner in December.

Further information is provided on this WEB site and in the quarterly News Letters.

All members receive a quarterly newsletter and a copy of the Annual Report and Accounts