History of Lewes Twinning Association
Blois
The origins of twinning in Lewes lie not in a civic initiative, but the visionary endeavours of two schoolmasters: one from Blois, the other from Lewes.
Just after the end of World War II, M. Robert Piolé, Senior English Master, at the Lycée Augustin Thierry in Blois, conceived the idea that the boys of his school should visit England, perhaps on an exchange basis and, seeking a like-minded colleague in England, he wrote for assistance to the Cercle Francais in Brghton. The President, Mr Donald Moyes Auld, was Head of Modern Langauges at Lewes County Grammar School for Boys and, being a devoted Francophile, he replied immediately that he was interested. Thus, it was on Monday 17 March 1947, that a party of 67 boys, led by Mr Auld, left Lewes for Blois on the first school exchange. It lasted a week and was a huge success.
Easter 1949, at the request of Mr Auld, the Mayor of Lewes, Mr Dick Whittington, accompanied the school party to Blois. Although the visit was not of an official nature, it had the wholehearted support of the Council, and that summer, a return visit was made to Lewes by the Mayor of Blois and other dignitaries.
The signing of the formal Treaty of Twinning between Blois and Lewes by M. Marcel Buhler, Mayor of Blois, and Mr Frank Hayward, Deputy Mayor of Lewes, occurred in 1963.
The origins of twinning in Lewes lie not in a civic initiative, but the visionary endeavours of two schoolmasters: one from Blois, the other from Lewes.
Just after the end of World War II, M. Robert Piolé, Senior English Master, at the Lycée Augustin Thierry in Blois, conceived the idea that the boys of his school should visit England, perhaps on an exchange basis and, seeking a like-minded colleague in England, he wrote for assistance to the Cercle Francais in Brghton. The President, Mr Donald Moyes Auld, was Head of Modern Langauges at Lewes County Grammar School for Boys and, being a devoted Francophile, he replied immediately that he was interested. Thus, it was on Monday 17 March 1947, that a party of 67 boys, led by Mr Auld, left Lewes for Blois on the first school exchange. It lasted a week and was a huge success.
Easter 1949, at the request of Mr Auld, the Mayor of Lewes, Mr Dick Whittington, accompanied the school party to Blois. Although the visit was not of an official nature, it had the wholehearted support of the Council, and that summer, a return visit was made to Lewes by the Mayor of Blois and other dignitaries.
The signing of the formal Treaty of Twinning between Blois and Lewes by M. Marcel Buhler, Mayor of Blois, and Mr Frank Hayward, Deputy Mayor of Lewes, occurred in 1963.
Waldshut-Tiengen
As a consequence, no doubt, of the efforts of General Charles de Gaulle and Dr Konrad Adenauer to put relationships between the French and German people on an entirely new footing of friendship and mutual respect, Blois developed friendly contact with the south German town of Waldshut. It seems that it was this which led to the desire for the Blois/Lewes connection to be put on a more formal basis. This being effected, Blois then signed a similar Treaty with Waldshut.
A document commemorating the first decade since formal Twinning documents were first exchanged was signed by the Mayor of Blois, M. Pierre Sudreau, the Mayor of Waldshut, Dr Friedrick Wilhem Utsch, and Miss Beatruce Temple, Mayor of Lewes and, in 1974, the signing of the formal Protocol of Twinning between Waldshut and Lewes by Dr Utsch and the then Mayor of Lewes, Mr Bill Fuller took place.
A document commemorating the first decade since formal Twinning documents were first exchanged was signed by the Mayor of Blois, M. Pierre Sudreau, the Mayor of Waldshut, Dr Friedrick Wilhem Utsch, and Miss Beatruce Temple, Mayor of Lewes and, in 1974, the signing of the formal Protocol of Twinning between Waldshut and Lewes by Dr Utsch and the then Mayor of Lewes, Mr Bill Fuller took place.
"What's the point of Twinning today?"
Many people believe that Twinning no longer serves a purpose. but is just a 'jolly' and doesn't benefit anyone but the members of the Association.
This, however, is far from the truth. Members of the Association do regularly visit their twin towns and they usually stay with host families, but they pay for their own travel and other expenses. The advantage of doing it as part of the association, because we're booking for larger numbers, the cost of travel, etc., can sometimes be lower than individuals booking for themselves.
Orchestras and bands, arranged through the Association, often go and entertain audiences in the twin towns. The band, Blank Frank - from Lewes's Starfish youth music project - played in Blois, arranged by Lewes Twinning Association.
Most recently (2018) we have assisted in initiating links between Lewes's Depot Cinema and cinemas in our twin towns. Plus, we helped to arrange for a student from nearby BHASVIC to have work experience at the Blois Château.
A lot of money is spent in local shops, cafes, bars, pubs, etc. by visitors. Strong friendships are forged between the people of the three towns and there is a strong sense of community.
Also, by being part of a twinning association, you get to understand the day-to-day living and culture of the people in the other countries, because you go and stay with them. If you go somewhere as a tourist, staying in a hotel and sight-seeing, or going to tourist-targeted events, it is though your holiday is spent in a "bubble" because often you don't really mix with the locals. But living with people you get a much more realistic view of their lives and much stronger friendships are often formed.
One final point, many people believe that civic helps to finance twinning. However, Lewes Twinning Association does not receive any regular funding from the Council. If we need to request a grant, we have to follow the same application process as any other organisation or group.
So, twinning is as important today as it was after the war when relationships were being rebuilt, it just has a different focus now.
This, however, is far from the truth. Members of the Association do regularly visit their twin towns and they usually stay with host families, but they pay for their own travel and other expenses. The advantage of doing it as part of the association, because we're booking for larger numbers, the cost of travel, etc., can sometimes be lower than individuals booking for themselves.
Orchestras and bands, arranged through the Association, often go and entertain audiences in the twin towns. The band, Blank Frank - from Lewes's Starfish youth music project - played in Blois, arranged by Lewes Twinning Association.
Most recently (2018) we have assisted in initiating links between Lewes's Depot Cinema and cinemas in our twin towns. Plus, we helped to arrange for a student from nearby BHASVIC to have work experience at the Blois Château.
A lot of money is spent in local shops, cafes, bars, pubs, etc. by visitors. Strong friendships are forged between the people of the three towns and there is a strong sense of community.
Also, by being part of a twinning association, you get to understand the day-to-day living and culture of the people in the other countries, because you go and stay with them. If you go somewhere as a tourist, staying in a hotel and sight-seeing, or going to tourist-targeted events, it is though your holiday is spent in a "bubble" because often you don't really mix with the locals. But living with people you get a much more realistic view of their lives and much stronger friendships are often formed.
One final point, many people believe that civic helps to finance twinning. However, Lewes Twinning Association does not receive any regular funding from the Council. If we need to request a grant, we have to follow the same application process as any other organisation or group.
So, twinning is as important today as it was after the war when relationships were being rebuilt, it just has a different focus now.
