French invasion marks the beginning of new friendship
THE Twinning Association of Poynton (TAP) celebrated its new partnership with the French town of Haybes with a four-day visit.
A delegation of visitors including Mayor Benoît Sonnet enjoyed a visit to Lower Park School and Poynton High School, as well as a trip along Macclesfield Canal on board the Mary Sunley.
It was the first visit since Poynton and Haybes agreed to became ‘twins’.
Malcolm Adams, from TAP, said: “The Association was delighted to lead and host a packed four-day programme of visits and events to showcase Poynton’s heritage, as well as taking in various attractions in the surrounding area.
“A particular highlight of the visit was an official reception at Poynton’s Civic Hall at which the Mayors of Poynton and Haybes, Sandra Horsman and M. Sonnet, signed the Twinning Agreement, a successful conclusion to all the work and prior contacts made between Poynton and Haybes.
“The Twinning Association was delighted to welcome its new found European friends and twinning partners, and now looks forward to a successful and lasting friendship between the two communities.”
The twinning, which aims to build friendships between individuals, groups and the council, is the result of relationships forged 102 years ago when people in Poynton donated money to help rebuild Haybes, in the Ardennes region in the north of the country, after it was destroyed by fire and bombs in the First World War.
The TAP committee will place particular emphasis on a schools’ exchange programme, and will also actively promote cultural and other links between societies and organisations.
Mr Adams said: “The committee would also encourage Poynton’s residents to visit and discover Haybes for themselves, to realise the benefits of twinning, and to take advantage and build on the goodwill and relationships that have already been forged.”
Earlier this year seven members from Poynton’s twinning group visited Haybes, seeing the town’s schools and college, leisure centre, camping site on the banks of the Meuse, charcuterie factory and aluminium factory.
Poynton is also twinned with Erd in Hungary.