All Aboard the Twinning Express: Significant anniversaries celebrated in style

As part of Civic Twinning celebrating two important anniversaries, Ashford Twinning Association organised for guests from Bad Munstereifel in Germany and Fougeres in France to enjoy a day out on the award-winning Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) on Friday 20 September.

Ashford has forged strong links with mainland Europe through its twin towns, and this year sees our 60th anniversary of twinning with Bad Münstereifel and the 40th anniversary with Fougeres. The Kent and East Sussex Railway are also celebrating their 50^th anniversary, making the event all the more special.

The K&ESR trip included a steam-hauled train ride from Tenterden to Bodiam and back, including lunch on board, as one of a number of special events planned for the ‘Then and Now – a Celebration of Twinning’ civic visit.

At Bodiam, the party were also able to visit the historic Cavell Van, and on the return to Tenterden Town Station they were given a tour of the fascinating Colonel Stephens Museum to find out more about the history of the heritage line.

Simon Marsh, Chairman of the K&ESR said: “In this our 50th year we are delighted to be able to strengthen our links with our friends at Ashford Borough Council still further by hosting this important event.  We are proud of what we have achieved, and we want to welcome as many visitors and organisations as possible to share it with us.”

Cllr Heather Hayward, portfolio holder for tourism and culture, said: “We are very proud of Ashford’s long history with our twin towns, and we are delighted that we could arrange for our guests to enjoy the wonderful steam-hauled train ride from Tenterden to Bodiam and learn more about the history of the heritage line.

“By combining this trip into the Civic Visit, it allowed us to celebrate three special anniversaries together in what is a remarkable achievement for us all.”

The Ashford Twinning Association (ATA) are holding 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 started in the early 20th Century. However, twinning didn't take place until 26 August 1964. The Fougères connection began with a liaison amicale in 1978. This was followed by an official ceremony in 1984.

The history of this Anglo-German partnership goes back to the First World War. In 1919 Bad Münstereifel was occupied by British troops and one of them, Major J. Goode, formed bonds that endured throughout the period between the two world wars and even survived the Second World War. The idea behind this initiative was to give young people from Germany and Britain a chance to get to know each other better after the war. 

The beginnings of a partnership between Bad Münstereifel and Fougères began in 1964, when a number of towns in Brittany were seeking contact with Rhineland towns.

All three towns are linked together as Bad Munstereifel and Fougères are also twinned with each other with their own twinning dating back to 1967.

The partnership between the three towns goes way beyond the official annual civic visits. They extend to youth and school visits, exchanges between local organisations, sports clubs and associations such as the Ashford Beekeepers.