If you have memories of town twinning links between Salford and the French city of Clermont- Ferrand or the German city of Lünen, then you’re invited to join the celebrations.
Salford will be marking 50 years of twinning with both cities this year and 15 guests from Lünen and 10 from Clermont-Ferrand will visit Salford over the weekend of June 24 to celebrate.
As part of the celebration weekend, Salford Town Twinning Forum is aiming to capture people’s memories of town twinning over the years. The forum is also planning a reception at Ordsall Hall for people who have been involved in town twinning over the years. Forty places are available.
Councillor Derek Antrobus, chair of the Town Twinning Forum, said the idea for twinning links between towns and cities in Europe and Great Britain came from the Second World War.
He said: “Jack Goldberg, who helped forge Salford’s links with Clermont Ferrand, was a soldier in World War II while Les Suggett, who helped twin Lünen with Swinton and Pendlebury was a guard in a German prisoner of war camp where he became friends with a miner from Lünen.
“Both Jack and Les believed strongly in peace and reconciliation and rebuilding friendships with people after the war and the links they helped create have now survived for half a century.”
Anyone with memories is asked to get in touch with Michelle Lindsay at Salford City Council, email michelle.lindsay@salford.gov.uk or call 0161 793 3030.
Tickets for the free event at Ordsall Hall can be obtained from www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/welcome-event-for-salfords-twin-towns-tickets-25930841846
