Twinning

Did you know that Redditch is twinned with several other towns across the world? Below are details of our current civil twins in date order.

The oldest of these partnerships is with:

AUXERRE

BURGUNDY, FRANCE (1956)

Support Organisation: FoA (Friends of Auxerre)

Redditch’s first twinning link has proven very popular with Redditch Borough residents, over its 60+ years of existence, as now witnessed by the large and active membership of the Friends of Auxerre. The highlight of each year is the visit to or from Auxerre which takes place at the end of May/beginning of June. In 2006 the link celebrated its Golden Anniversary.

Auxerre is in the Yonne Department (89), approximately 100 miles south east of Paris.

 

In the 1980’s we set up links with:

MTWARA

TANZANIA, EAST AFRICA (1986)  

Support Organisation: ROWL (Redditch One World Link)

In spite of the distance involved, trips and exchanges are organised on a regular basis with Mtwara. Fruitful connections with Tanzanian Students at Birmingham University and Selly Oak Colleges have been developed and events with a Tanzanian focus, including an annual national seminar, are organised.

Mtwara is a sea port in southern Tanzania (East Africa) near the border with Mozambique.

 

ST. ELIZABETH

JAMAICA, WEST INDIES (1990)

Support Organisation: Caribbean Roots Connection (CRC)

This first "Friendship Link" dates back to 1990. It became a full twinning on 24th April 2006. The Link is mainly family based as the majority of Redditch residents of Jamaican descent come from this part of Jamaica. St. Elizabeth is a Parish on the South Western area of the island; it is Jamaica's second largest parish. Black River is the Capital and it is in the County of Cornwall.

 

GRUCHET-LE-VALASSE

NORMANDY, FRANCE (1992)

Support Organisation: FroG (Friends of Gruchet)

The “Sister” Abbeys of Bordesley and le Valasse have links which go back more than 800 years, having been constructed by the same order of Cistercian monks.  An annual visit each way is now established and the “Friends of Gruchet-le-Valasse” (FroG) are now a thriving organisation. Full twin-town status was granted on 24th April 2006. Gruchet is near Bolbec in the Seine-Maritime Department (76).

 

GUJAR KHAN

DISTRICT OF RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN (2003)

Support Organisation: Gujarkhan Welfare Link

Further to a request to the Council from the Redditch Pakistan Community Forum, this link was approved in September 2003. As with the Borough’s other two “Friendship Links”, in April 2006 full twinning status was granted. The majority of Redditch's Pakistani residents originate from Gujar Khan, which is the chief town, as well as the name of the surrounding District, in the Province of Rawalpindi.