Kidwelly welcomes twin town visitors
A Carmarthenshire town is to be showcased to scores of French visitors.
Kidwelly is preparing to welcome a delegation from its twin town of St Jacut de la Mer in Brittany.
The ancient town has been successful in its bid to the EU programme ‘Europe for Citizens’ to host the visit.
Plans are now being finalised for the trip which runs from July 3-7.
A detailed programme of events and activities has been drawn up to entertain the 62 visitors.
Organisers say it is an opportunity to promote the region and encourage future visits from overseas.
The visit has been supported by Carmarthenshire County Council.
European Networking Officer Lorena Prise co-ordinates all of Carmarthenshire’s twinning arrangements through the Twinning Forum.
She is driving forward pioneering work to forge links with the continent and works closely with twinning associations to develop student exchanges, work experience placements and schools programmes.
Lorena said: “We are delighted to be hosting a visit from St Jacut de la Mer, and a great deal of work has been carried out to make the trip as enjoyable and educational as possible.
“It is an excellent opportunity to strengthen links with France and showcase the region to visitors.
“I am looking forward to developing new contacts and listening to any ideas they have.”
The French visitors will take trips to Penclacwydd Wetlands Centre, St Fagan’s and the Senedd at Cardiff Bay.
There will also be a visit to a local farm and a guided walk by Carmarthenshire’s biodiversity officer.
Hosts and guests will get to know each other better at a traditional Twmpath in Mynyddygarreg.
The folk group Tipyn O Bopeth will provide the music, and cawl and Welsh cakes will be on the menu.
Kidwelly Twinning Association Chair Polly Seton said: “There will be 18 children among the visitors and a special series of events has been arranged for them, including a school visit, activities with local schoolchildren and the Youth Council.”
Carmarthenshire has 13 twinning associations working to promote the county, encourage overseas visits and raise awareness of the Welsh culture.
Llandeilo was the first town in the county to forge links with a European counterpart, twinning with Le Conquet in Brittany in 1981.
Since then others including Llanelli, Ammanford, Newcastle Emlyn and St Clears have followed suit.
Carmarthen is twinned with Lesneven in Brittany and As Pontes in Galicia – the only three way agreement in the county.
Cultural exchange visits, along with sporting and educational trips are arranged every year.
The council’s Regeneration Executive Board Member cllr Clive Scourfield said: “The town twinning programme is a very valuable project which is bringing real benefits to Carmarthenshire.
“I am delighted that Kidwelly is to host an exchange visit and I am confident that it will lead to new rewards for the county.”
Anyone interested in setting up a twinning association should contact Lorena Prist on 01267 242369 or at lprist@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Kidwelly is preparing to welcome a delegation from its twin town of St Jacut de la Mer in Brittany.
The ancient town has been successful in its bid to the EU programme ‘Europe for Citizens’ to host the visit.
Plans are now being finalised for the trip which runs from July 3-7.
A detailed programme of events and activities has been drawn up to entertain the 62 visitors.
Organisers say it is an opportunity to promote the region and encourage future visits from overseas.
The visit has been supported by Carmarthenshire County Council.
European Networking Officer Lorena Prise co-ordinates all of Carmarthenshire’s twinning arrangements through the Twinning Forum.
She is driving forward pioneering work to forge links with the continent and works closely with twinning associations to develop student exchanges, work experience placements and schools programmes.
Lorena said: “We are delighted to be hosting a visit from St Jacut de la Mer, and a great deal of work has been carried out to make the trip as enjoyable and educational as possible.
“It is an excellent opportunity to strengthen links with France and showcase the region to visitors.
“I am looking forward to developing new contacts and listening to any ideas they have.”
The French visitors will take trips to Penclacwydd Wetlands Centre, St Fagan’s and the Senedd at Cardiff Bay.
There will also be a visit to a local farm and a guided walk by Carmarthenshire’s biodiversity officer.
Hosts and guests will get to know each other better at a traditional Twmpath in Mynyddygarreg.
The folk group Tipyn O Bopeth will provide the music, and cawl and Welsh cakes will be on the menu.
Kidwelly Twinning Association Chair Polly Seton said: “There will be 18 children among the visitors and a special series of events has been arranged for them, including a school visit, activities with local schoolchildren and the Youth Council.”
Carmarthenshire has 13 twinning associations working to promote the county, encourage overseas visits and raise awareness of the Welsh culture.
Llandeilo was the first town in the county to forge links with a European counterpart, twinning with Le Conquet in Brittany in 1981.
Since then others including Llanelli, Ammanford, Newcastle Emlyn and St Clears have followed suit.
Carmarthen is twinned with Lesneven in Brittany and As Pontes in Galicia – the only three way agreement in the county.
Cultural exchange visits, along with sporting and educational trips are arranged every year.
The council’s Regeneration Executive Board Member cllr Clive Scourfield said: “The town twinning programme is a very valuable project which is bringing real benefits to Carmarthenshire.
“I am delighted that Kidwelly is to host an exchange visit and I am confident that it will lead to new rewards for the county.”
Anyone interested in setting up a twinning association should contact Lorena Prist on 01267 242369 or at lprist@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
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