Full Steam Ahead! The Mayor of Ashford (centre) and representatives from the Ashford Twinning Association welcomed guests from their twin towns in France and Germany at the K&ESR to mark their combined milestone anniversaries. Photo credit: Stepstone Imaging.
In a grand celebration of Civic Twinning, the Ashford Twinning Association rolled out the red carpet for guests from Bad Münstereifel, Germany, and Fougères, France. The highlight? A spectacular day out on the award-winning Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) on Friday, 20 September.
Ashford has built strong ties with mainland Europe through its twin towns, celebrating the 60th anniversary with Bad Münstereifel and the 40th with Fougères this year. Adding to the festivities, the Kent & East Sussex Railway is also celebrating its 50th anniversary, making this event truly special.
The K&ESR trip featured a delightful steam-hauled train ride from Tenterden to Bodiam and back, complete with lunch on board. This was just one of many special events planned for the ‘Then and Now – a Celebration of Twinning’ civic visit.
At Bodiam, the group visited the historic Cavell Van, and upon returning to Tenterden Town Station, they toured the fascinating Colonel Stephens Museum to learn more about the heritage line’s history.
Simon Marsh, Chairman of the K&ESR, expressed his delight:
“In this our 50th year, we are thrilled to strengthen our ties with Ashford Borough Council by hosting this significant event. We are proud of our achievements and eager to share them with as many visitors and organizations as possible.”
Cllr Heather Hayward, portfolio holder for tourism and culture, added:
“We are incredibly proud of Ashford’s long history with our twin towns. We are delighted to have arranged for our guests to enjoy the wonderful steam-hauled train ride from Tenterden to Bodiam and learn more about the heritage line’s history. Celebrating three special anniversaries together is a remarkable achievement for us all.”
The Ashford Twinning Association (ATA) is hosting a free exhibition showcasing this special relationship throughout September at Ashford Gateway on Church Rd (TN23 1AS).
Twinning Tale
Ashford’s history with Bad Münstereifel began in the early 20th century, with official twinning taking place on 26 August 1964. The Fougères connection started with a liaison amicale in 1978, followed by an official ceremony in 1984.
The Anglo-German partnership dates back to the First World War. In 1919, Bad Münstereifel was occupied by British troops, and Major J. Goode formed bonds that endured through the interwar period and even survived the Second World War. The initiative aimed to foster better understanding between young people from Germany and Britain post-war.
The partnership between Bad Münstereifel and Fougères began in 1964 when several towns in Brittany sought contact with Rhineland towns. All three towns are interconnected, with Bad Münstereifel and Fougères also twinned since 1967.
This partnership extends beyond official annual civic visits, encompassing youth and school exchanges, local organization collaborations, sports clubs, and associations like the Ashford Beekeepers.