Don’t forget your passport this month as we take a tour around Europe and beyond with Rutland’s twin towns, and discover a few facts about our overseas friends…

Barmstedt, Schleswig… Twinned with Oakham: Oakham’s Angie Humphreys is understandably proud of the success of the town’s relationship with its German friends over in Barmstedt. The town is located in the district of Pinneberg, in the south of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, about 30 miles from Hamburg, and the two town have enjoyed a cordial relationship since the twinning was established back in 1987 by Angie and her husband, former Oakham town councillor Francis Humfreys.

“Francis was active on the town council and was also involved with leading our local group of Scouts,” says Angie. “The Scouts have had great success in twinning with similar groups in Norway and so we put it to Oakham Town Council that as we ought to make similar arrangements as a local authority. The council agreed to back us but we had to fund ourselves.”

“They put us in touch with The British Council, which is an organisation established in 1934 working across 100 different countries to encourage cultural, scientific, technological and educational co-operation with one another.”

“Having obtained a list of potential twin towns, we decided that as Uppingham already had links with a French town, we’d befriend a German one.”

“Our contact in Barmstedt was Prof Egon Tiedje and by incredible coincidence, he had visited Oakham with his wife some years ago and remarked how much they would like to twin with a town like ours. The process took from 1985 to 1987 when a charter was officially signed in Barmstedt.”

“The twinning relationship was most active from 1987 to the millennium, and a link between the Rutland Concert Band was formed as well as links between Scout groups, sports teams, and other groups with activities like art exhibitions.”

“Barmstedt is also twinned with Roissy-en-Brie in France and Middelfart in Denmark, and has a friendship with Colwyn Bay. The five towns and in Oakham in 1997, about 200 people came over for an It’s A Knockout competition which was great fun!”

“We’ve also had some very good exchanges between schools and internships at the two local councils. The town has always been very welcoming with our delegates making their way to Birmingham and then flying to Hamburg where they’re collected and driven to the town.”

“At one time about 30 or 40  local families were involved, but that number has decreased now and the because Covid has prevented visits overseas, we’re looking to refresh the link between Barmstedt and Oakham.”

“We have been invited to celebrate the twinning in Barmstedt from Friday 30th June to Monday 3rd July, and I’d love to see the relationship we have with the town continue with a new generation of families and Oakham residents.”

Dodgeville, Wisconsin, US… Twinned with Oakham: Dodgeville is based in the county seat of Iowa County, Wisconsin. Twinned with Oakham, not only is the town home to about 4,000 people, it’s the town in which Lands End was founded, employing more than 6,000 people. The company was established in 1963 specialising in American clothing and home furnishings, and is now a subsidiary of Sears with operating revenues of about $1.4bn. Its UK base of operation is in Oakham, on Lands End Way.

Find Out More: New interest is being sought in Oakham’s twinning, including a visit to Barmstedt in June for a four day celebration of the friendship. For more information call Oakham Town Council on 01572 723627.

Caudebec, France… Twinned with Uppingham: Uppingham has been twinned with the Normandy town of Caudebec-en-Caux since 1982. The village is located in the Seine-Maritime department of Normandy, France.

It is situated on the banks of the Seine River, surrounded by beautiful hills and countryside. The village is known for its rich history, picturesque architecture, and natural beauty, making it a popular destination for tourists.

One of the main attractions of Caudebec-en-Caux is the very beautiful Gothic-style Church of Notre-Dame, which dates back to the 15th century. The church boasts a stunning stained glass window and a beautiful interior filled with intricate carvings and sculptures.

Another must-see attraction in Caudebec-en-Caux is the Maison des Templiers, a historic building that was once home to the Knights Templar. Today, the building houses a museum dedicated to the history of the Knights Templar and their influence on the region. Visitors can also enjoy a stroll along the riverbank or take a boat tour on the Seine River to enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The village square is also home to quintessentially continental restaurants, cafes, and shops.

Vence, France… Twinned with Stamford: Trust Stamford to have one of the prettiest twin towns you’ll ever see! If you think the Georgian splendour of the South Lincolnshire town is impressive, the commune of Vence, set in the hills of the Alpes Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in southeastern France – positioned north of Nice and Antibes – is even more impressive. Vence itself is home to about 19,000 people and is home to Vence Cathedral, the seat of the Bishop of Vence before it passed into the Diocese of Nice. Vence has a gorgeous square with cafés and restaurants, and a chapel with stained glass and other fittings by Henri Matisse who was a resident of the village towards the end of his life. The town is also famous for its spring water.

Kutná Hora, Czech Republic… Twinned with Stamford: Kutná Hora is located 30 miles east of Prague and has a population of just over 20,000. Since 1999 it has been twinned with Stamford and its Saint Barbara’s Church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a magnificent Gothic cathedral that dates back to the 14th century. It’s considered one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in the country. Kutná Hora is also home to the Sedlec Ossuary, a unique and somewhat eerie chapel that contains the remains of an estimated 40,000-70,000 people.

In addition to its historic and cultural treasures, Kutná Hora also boasts a vibrant contemporary arts scene, with a number of galleries and studios showcasing the work of local artists. The town also hosts a number of festivals and events throughout the year, including the popular Kutná Hora International Music Festival, which attracts musicians and music lovers from around the world.

Viersen, Germany… Twinned with Peterborough: Viersen is Peterborough’s twin, and is in the administrative region of Düsseldorf, about half an hour away from the city. The association dates back to 1981, a decade after the aggregation of three formerly independent cities – Süchteln, Dülken and Viersen – and the village of Boisheim. Dating back to the 14th century, Viersen is a historic old town, which features picturesque half-timbered houses, narrow streets, and cosy cafés.
Peterborough was also twinned with Vinnytsia, Ukraine in 1991, and has sent two consignments of aid to the city to show support amid the war.

Doudeville, France… Twinned with Bourne: Doudeville remains the unofficial twin town of Bourne, despite the fact that its twinning association folded in 2015.  Home to about 2,500 people, Doudeville is situated in the Seine-Maritime department, and its history dates back to the 11th century. The town hosts many festivals and events throughout the year, including the popular Fête de la Pomme, which celebrates the town’s apple-growing heritage.