Runnymede's TOWN TWINNING ASSOCIATION

What is Twinning?

Runnymede Town Twinning Association is part of a movement which, more than 1000 British communities are linked with counterparts of comparable size in other countries, via which, many new "twinnings" are formalised every year.

Runnymede entered into this venture in 1960 by joining with Joinville-le-Pont in 1960.

Joinville stands on the river Marne 15 miles east of Paris and is well endowed with recreational and sporting facilities.

With its high speed rail system connecting with Le Shuttle/Eurostar, Joinville is ideally located for visitors from all the Twin Towns.

Our German link developed in 1965. Bergisch Gladbach, situated 10 miles east of Cologne, offers to the visitor pleasantly rolling hills of the Bergischland. The town has strong cultural and sporting traditions and the well designed and equipped schools are highly valued in the community.

Because cheaper Atlantic fares opened up the prospect of visiting the U.S.A from around 1980, we have a third twin-town - Herndon in the state of Virginia situated 20 miles west of Washington .D.C.

Over the years many close personal ties have been established with these towns (Sister Cities) resulting in many memorable exchanges together with a greater understanding and friendships between the respective communities.

During the years that town twinning has been established, there have been yearly exchanges between the towns' schools, police, firemen, individual members and their families.

Under present arrangements, the host town organises the programme and covers the costs incurred in the visit.

To meet these costs we hold garden parties, barbecues, an annual dinner and other social activities. A generous grant from the local council enables us to subsidise the various events when visitors arrive from overseas.

Otherwise, everybody pays their own costs for social events, including dignitaries.

The Aims of Town Twinning are to foster cultural, social, commercial and community links with our twin towns both in Europe and in the United States.

Because our intention is to improve and cement understanding and friendship between our communities we are able to expand our knowledge of how other people live, work and play.

Joinville-le-Pont and Runnymede Exchanging images of each others Art works online

French Translation

As part of the Entante Cordiale celebrations between the town twinning of Joinville-le-Pont and Runnymede, it has been considered that an exchange of digital images of paintings of each others artists work would be a worthy successor to the physical exchanges of framed artwork to each others exhibitions recently. These exchanges have taken place in the years 2004 and 2005.

The Joinville artists featured are all French citizens who live and work in the town. Each artist has been separately awarded the prestigious first prize at their grand annual art exhibition over the last five years. These exhibitions which feature a hundred or so of Joinville's finest artists are held in the large municipal hall every September, and which kicks off the cultural season of this smart town on the south east outskirts of Paris.

Joinville-le-Pont is returning the courtesy, and will be showing images of paintings by Runnymede artists on their official website. These British artists have exhibited in the joint art exhibition of Joinville and Runnymede held in the autumn of 2005 at Chertsey Museum, and the Artists Gallery, 6a Windsor Street, opposite the Museum.

The featured Joinville artist on the web page this time is Susan Hackett.

Susan Hackett Biography

Susan is a well educated and experienced American artist who is now an established resident of Joinville-le-Pont. Susan gained a B.A.Fine Arts Painting and Drawing at Indiana University, Bloomington, USA.

Susan has had various teaching jobs in France:

Susan has also worked on various feature films including Walt Disney Animation features as a backround artist on "Hercules"and "he Hunchback of Notre Dame" plus videos and animated television features.

Susan's Artwork

Chertsey's Fine Artists in Runnymede - Members exhibition in Joinville-le-pont

Magna Carta Memorial, Runnymede

TWINNED WITH

Joinville-le-Pont (France)

Herndon (USA)

"FRIENDSHIP WORLD WIDE"

Membership Application/ Renewal

Chairman

Mr Peter Poole. Brackendale, Knowle Grove, Virginia Water, Surrey GU25 4JB Telephone/fax: 01344 842316, E-mail: peter.poole@ukf.net

Runnymede Town Twinning Association is supported by Runnymede Borough Council, we are very grateful for their generous assistance.