Swanley is officially twinned with Verrieres-le-Buisson in France and Fastiv in Ukraine.
The Twinning Charter was signed in November 1985 following initial contacts made between individuals from the two towns some time earlier. With the Fastiv Charter being signed in August 2023 in an online ceremony.
The twinning with Verrieres-le-Buisson has developed to the point where up to 100 people, school children, families and individuals representing different organisations, visit their hosts each year.
The aims of the Swanley Twinning Association are to foster the links and friendships between Swanley and Verrieres-le-Buisson/Fastiv and to promote similar links with places in other countries.
It is a purely voluntary organisation though it does receive some financial assistance from Swanley Town Council.
It hopes to ensure that everybody with an interest in twinning, improving their language skills or international understanding, especially the young, has an opportunity to take part.
Swanley Twinning Association is a group of people from Swanley and the villages nearby who enjoy exploring overseas.
A key feature of the Anglo-French relationship is the annual exchange visit, usually on the first weekend in May, with each taking turn to host the other on alternate years.
There are many other less formal individual, group and family visits and exchanges going on nearly all year round.
Some members have planted a Swanley garden in Verrieres to commemorate the Millennium.
The Association is pleased to assist and promote other links of a cultural, educational or sporting nature and, in addition, opportunities exist for linking pen-pals, student exchanges and work experience placements.
Back home there is a busy social calender that includes a monthly ramble (never too arduous) usually followed by a Sunday pub lunch.
Members play petanque (boules) and darts, have barbecues and wine-tasting and enjoy outings, an annual dance or social and a Christmas dinner.
All members receive a quarterly newsletter and a copy of the annual report and accounts.
If you are interested in:
- Making new friends here and in our twin towns
- Exchange visits with French families
- Social events
Members
Chairman – John Barnes
Deputy Chair – Stephen Twaites
Secretary – John Domigan
Treasurer – Clare Barnes
Hosting Secretary – Stephen Twaites
Membership & Social Media – Rod Sharman
Town Council Liaison – Michael Horwood
Committee Member – Chrissy Hudson
Facebook page: Swanley & District Twinning Association
Join the Swanley Twinning Association by emailing swanleytwinning@gmail.com
