News Maidstone and Beauvais celebrate 65 years of town twinning
Communities across Maidstone and Beauvais have united to celebrate 65 years since being joined as one of Kent’s longest-standing international partnerships.
The town twinning was established in 1961 and both continue to share culture, celebrations and links between residents through joint festivities and opportunities to come together.
This month, Maidstone hosted dignitaries from Beauvais, showcasing some of the highlights of the borough. The weekend tour began with a reception held at Maidstone Town Hall on Friday 24 July, where the Mayor, Cllr Brian Clark, and Mayoress of Maidstone, Mrs Shannon Hines-Clark, welcomed guests, including the two Deputy Mayors of Beauvais, in the Mayor’s Parlour.
Guests were given a tour of the Town Hall, Council Chamber, the historic prison and a permanent symbol of the town’s twinning: the Beauvais Room, which features artwork depicting the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Beauvais.
Over the weekend, the Maidstone tour kickstarted with the opening of the iconic River Festival, which included cheering on the raft races, having a go at bell-ringing at All Saints Church and watching the dazzling firework finale display. This also included visits to Maidstone United at Gallagher Stadium and Maidstone Carriage Museum, where Cllr Clark showed the Beauvais dignitaries the vehicles, including the Mayor’s carriage, which he and the Mayoress rode in as part of his mayoral inauguration.
The weekend continued with a tour of Stoneacre National Trust and the studio of a local artist with an international reputation, Ralph Steadman.
Cllr David Naghi, Chairman of the Maidstone Beauvais Twinning Association, said: "It's wonderful to show off the best of our borough for our twin town and celebrate of our achievements in Maidstone and Beauvais. In our pride in place and community strength, we work better together and learn from each other, and that's what these visits are all about. As Chairman of this Twinning Association and Maidstone River Festival, I am pleased to have united these two events together for a very special weekend. I encourage everyone in Maidstone to find out more about the importance of our twin town.”
The visit was an opportunity to showcase just some of the events, places and people that have put Maidstone on the global map and follows on in return from the annual visit to Beauvais earlier this summer.
During the trip, the Mayor of Maidstone took part in a remembrance service to pay respects at the war cemetery, as well as joining a special concert dedicated to reaffirming the long-standing partnership between the two towns.
Commenting on the tour of Beauvais and the two towns, the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Brian Clark, said: “Since the liberation of Beauvais by Allied troops on 30 August 1944, our shared history has fostered a strong and enduring bond of friendship that continues today. I am pleased that we continue to share in this partnership and grow stronger through our twinning.”
The anniversary programme reflects Maidstone Borough Council's commitment to strengthening community ties and celebrating the borough's international connections. For 65 years, the twinning relationship with Beauvais has brought together residents, community groups and civic representatives from both towns.
More information about the town twinning can be found on the Maidstone Borough Council website.