A STOURPORT councillor is appealing for residents and organisations to get involved with partnerships with the town’s twin, Villeneuve-le-Roi in France.
Independent Community and Health Concern councillor Dixon Sheppard, who is seeking to form an independent Twinning Association, is appealing for individuals, clubs or societies to create links with similar groups in Villeneuve-le-Roi.
Stourport Town Council discontinued its annual civic exchanges with the town, but Mr Sheppard does not want to see the twinning end.
“We have been twinning with Villeneuve-le-Roi for over 40 years but are struggling to get people across to the town,” he said.
“In the past many twinning exchanges have taken place between our two towns, both by individuals and clubs, and we are anxious for these to continue.
“Even though they have other twin towns, Stourport is the oldest so it would be a great pity for it to stop.”
Stourport was twinned with Villeneuve-le-Roi, which is eight miles from Paris, in 1971 and coach trips used to take place between the two towns for people to visit each other’s carnivals.
The Wyre Forest Swimming Club was planning to host a trip from the Villeneuve-le-Roi swimming club this month, but the visiting team have been inactive while their swimming pool was closed down.
Mr Sheppard said: “They have not been able to train and the club has been inactive so the members have not been able to come.
“We are hopeful that they will join us during February half term.”
However, Stourport Choral Society will be making their way to France to perform at the Villeneuve-le-Roi music festival in June 2015.
Mr Sheppard, who visited the town recently, is also hoping that his five-piece band will also be able to play at the festival.
He added: “When I visited I received a very good reception, so it would be a crying shame for twinning to cease.”
For more information, or if a group is interested in being involved with twinning, call Stourport Town Council on 01562 732750 or 01299 877214, by email at stourporttown.clerk@wyreforestdc.gov.uk
Councillor Dixon Sheppard can also be contacted by calling 01299 826941 or by email at dixonsheppard@hotmail.com
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