Source: City of Preston
A new information board celebrating Preston’s town-twinning has been unveiled at Preston Peace Garden.
The event welcomed visitors from Almelo, one of Preston’s twinned towns in the Netherlands and Preston’s oldest twin town since 1948. Almelo’s connection with Preston is textiles, with the main industry being cotton.
Town twinning began after the Second World War, promoting friendship and understanding across boarders as part of a shared commitment to lasting peace in Europe.
Councillor Sue Whittam, Mayor of Preston said:
“We have a strong and positive relationship with all four of our European twin towns and we were pleased to welcome representatives from Almelo as our special guests to mark this occasion.
“The display board gives information about our important twinning partnerships and is a valuable addition to the Peace Garden which was completed last year as part of the wider rejuvenation of Friargate”
The board is in memory of Ian Hall (1926 – 2025), Honorary Freeman and Honorary Alderman of Preston, and Derek Smith (1934 – 2024) former Chair of the Twinning Partnership. It recognises their long-standing commitment to Preston’s twinning work.
The original aim of establishing twin towns was that if towns could establish friendly links, crossing political frontiers, then their nations would be less inclined to enter into conflict.
The modern concept of town twinning is to promote cultural and educational similarities and respect differences between the people of Europe. Bringing people together and allowing citizens of the twinned towns to experience and explore other cultures, whilst encouraging economic development and trade opportunities.
Alongside Almelo, Preston is also twinned with:
- Nȋme, France – since 1955
- Recklinghausen, Germany – since 1956
- Kalisz, Poland – since 1989
To read more about Preston’s special relationships with its twin towns see town twinning.
Photo caption: Mayor of Preston Councillor Sue Whittam and Mayor of Almelo, Richard Korteland stood next to the twinnin display.