Epsom and Ewell Town Twinning Association welcomes delegation from its twin town of Chantilly
Celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and over 25 years of Twinning in the Borough
Epsom — 8th June 2022 — The Epsom and Ewell Town Twinning Association was established in 1994 to administer and develop the partnership between the two towns on behalf of the Borough.
Over the Bank Holiday weekend, the Epsom and Ewell Town Twinning Association entertained a large group of visitors from Chantilly, including the Deputy Mayor and members of the Chantilly Comité de Jumelage, to celebrate 25 years of the official signing of a Twinning Charter in 1995 and to join in some of the Jubilee excitement in the Borough, and the Derby, the visit having been postponed for two years due to the pandemic.
Over the years, many such visits have taken place, links between schools, clubs, choirs and individuals have been established, and friendships made. This weekend some of the original contacts from the Chantilly and the Epsom Model Railway Clubs were reunited. There were also new introductions, with two members of Chantilly’s Karate Shotokan club joining the Chief Coach and members of Mo-Ichido Martial Arts Club for an impressive training session, and high school teachers meeting to discuss involvement in an international project in Chantilly.
Meanwhile, the rest of the party were taken on a guided tour to Ermyn Lodge breeder and trainer’s yard, the historic stables at the Durdans, and Horton Chapel. There were some more official, commemorative moments, when The Mayor of Epsom and Ewell, Councillor Clive Woodbridge, and the Mayoress, Mrs Mary Woodbridge, joined for the planting of a European Oak tree in Rosebery Park, and a visit to Epsom marketplace to show off the recently placed Derby Hall of Fame roundels which feature notable Derby winners, including 1965 winner Sea Bird from Chantilly. Time out was allowed, of course, for lunch at a local pub and essential shopping in the Ashley Centre.
No celebration would be complete without speeches, delivered in English and French by both parties, and the exchange of gifts, with Epsom and Ewell presenting Chantilly with a display case of limited edition Jubilee coins, and an individual commemorative £5 coin for each visitor. The Mayor of Epsom and Ewell was delighted to receive a very handsome model of horse’s head, mounted and engraved on interlinked horseshoes. This will be on display in the Town Hall in due course.
The Epsom and Ewell Town Twinning Association is always delighted to hear from organisations looking for their equivalent in Chantilly, as well as individuals offering language skills or seeking a way to improve their French. The Association has a regular programme of local events in the Borough, both social and educational, allowing the chance to practise speaking French. There is a very popular annual French Public Speaking Competition for Schools, run jointly with Epsom Rotary, and regular Soirées Françaises for members. Of course there are also fundraisers like quizzes and the appreciation of French food and wine from time to time. Advice on visiting Chantilly, where to stay and what to see, is available too.
Established in 1994, Epsom and Ewell Town Twinning Association is a non-profit association, funded by members’ subscriptions and fundraising, and run by a group of volunteers to fulfil the obligations of the formal twinning agreement signed by the Mayors of Chantilly and Epsom the following year. It is not supported financially by the Borough.
Or to register interest in joining, please see our website www.epsomtwinning.com or
email contact@epsomtwinning.com .
“Friendship, Understanding, Communication, Cooperation “
