Preston Twinning Partnerships is a group of individuals very much involved in maintaining, expanding and co-ordinating contacts to people and organisations in Preston’s four twin town partners. The Preston Twinning Partnerships was formed in 2003 to continue the work of the Preston Twinning Liaison Committee and is now the recognised organisation that deals with twinning activities other than the civic and official ones carried out by Preston City Council.
Preston Twinning Partnerships Members have many years of twinning experience and are able‚ in most cases‚ to advise interested groups or individuals to set up twinning links in Preston’s respective twin towns.
Twinning
Twinning began in earnest after the Second World War when the rebuilding of links between countries was more necessary than ever. It was for this reason that the majority of early twinning links were with Germany and France ( and still remain so). Some of the earliest links still flourish and have developed as times and circumstances have changed.
In more recent times‚ local authorities have made links with non-European towns and cities (notably in African and former Soviet Union countries) and these have given rise to a different emphasis and structure of twinning. Some Councils have made twinning links specifically ‘technical’ and‚ therefore‚ the emphasis on these activities is the exchange of information rather than large numbers of people. Similarly‚ the motivation for twinning has widened over the years
Today‚ some links may be formed or developed with an eye towards trade or economic development links rather than the social/cultural focus of previous links. Also‚ new twinning links may reflect the interests of the community or its ethnic make-up rather than its links during the Second World War. As a result of this widening of motivation and type of links‚ many ‘twinnings’ have different levels of formality and‚ therefore‚ different roles and responsibilities. However‚ twinning‚ by and large‚ is an opportunity for ‘ordinary’ people to come together to discuss issues that are universal
The rationale behind all twinning initiatives was‚ and is‚ to encourage greater tolerance and understanding throughout all organisations‚ and to encourage friendship and business opportunity at national‚ European‚ local and individual levels.
Preston’s Twin Towns
Preston began making European links via twinning in 1948 with Almelo. This was followed by Nimes in 1955‚ Recklinghausen in 1956 and finally Kalisz in 1989. The first three cities were chosen on a like for like basis of population‚ ethnicity and employment sectors. The Kalisz ‘twin’ was created to enable officer specialism from Preston to support and encourage the economy of Kalisz.
Our aims are...
...To promote and foster friendship and understanding between the people of Preston and those of Preston’s twin towns and other organisations with which the Preston Twinning Partnerships has established links.
...To encourage exchange visits by individuals‚ groups and organisations of the above city and towns‚ particularly of young people‚ and the development of personal contacts in order to broaden mutual understanding of each other’s cultural‚ recreational‚ educational and commercial activities.
...To organise fund-raising activities to foster the aims of the organisation.
If you are interested in the aims of our organisation and wish to join the Preston Twinning Partnerships Committee‚ please complete and send the attached Application and Members Information Proforma to the Secretary. For any other information please feel free to contact us especially if you wish to know more about:
- Making contact with twin groups‚ clubs‚ churches or schools.
- Arranging a visit to any of Preston’s twin towns.
- Or becoming involved in the PTP’s committee.