SPELDHURST PARISH COUNCIL & MARCHIENNES FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION

covering the villages of Speldhurst, Langton Green, Ashurst and Stone Cross, and Old Groombridge

Co-ordinator – Gerry Colley, 34 Hither Chantlers, Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells TN3 0BL

In November 1998, Speldhurst Parish Council signed a joint agreement to form an Association with the small town of Marchiennes in Northern France. The official document agreed to establish and maintain friendly relations between the two communities, to foster and develop mutual understanding, and to encourage and assist the respective clubs, groups, schools, businesses and residents to meet and set up exchange visits.

Marchiennes is a town of approximately 4,500 people, which is about the same size as the area covered by Speldhurst parish. It is situated south of Lille, just over an hour from Calais. The town developed around an abbey and has a typical mixture of old and new buildings, and is set in very pleasant surrounding countryside and forests.

Since 1998, there have been several exchange visits by Langton Green Primary School, football teams, countryside walkers, and pétanque players. Residents from the Marchiennes community have also visited the Langton Green and Speldhurst fêtes.

As this year will see the tenth anniversary of the Association, a programme of possible events is being drawn up and discussed between the two communities to celebrate the occasion. Once agreed, it is intended to publicise the programme within Ashurst, Speldhurst, Langton Green and old Groombridge.    

The Marchiennes committee is organising an `English Weekend’ on the 26th and 27th of April, and has issued a general invitation to anyone who might be interested in visiting. Accommodation will be provided locally. The weekend coincides with an organised walk through the forests surrounding the town.

If anyone is interested in taking part in the `English Weekend’ or any of the exchanges, or would like further information, please contact Gerry Colley on (01892) 861638, or e-mail gerrycolleymsc@aol.com