Calne & District Twinning Association
| Published: 10th February 2007 16:13 |
Calne Twinning Association
Calne is twinned with three towns, Charlieu in France, Eningen in Germany and Caln in Pennsylvania, USA.
Charlieu
Charlieu, a small town in the Bourgogne near to the Beaujolais wine growing area and is situated at the crossroads between two important routes: Paris - Lyon, and the Soane - Loire valleys. An Abbey was founded in the area by Benedictine monks in 870. By the 10th century a market town had developed nearby. Because of its strategic importance, fortifications, including a tower named after King Phillippe August, were built at the end of the 12th century. In 1827 the silk industry was established and a cottage industry in textiles developed. Nowadays, Charlieu whose motto is 'Qu'un Charlieu qu'un soleil' - there's only one sun and only one Charlieu', is renowned for its monuments, craftsmen and as a tourist centre. The town still operates a cattle market, and there is a good range of shops. Timber framed houses and the remains of the town ramparts and Abbey help to make it an attractive place to visit.
Eningen
Eningen situated Swabia, nestles in the countryside between the exposed mountain peak of the Achalm and the sheer drop of the Swabian Alb, rich in forests and rocks. It is a state-recognised health resort and has about 10,250 inhabitants. There were settlements in the area as early as the Neolithic Period. Eningen itself is first mentioned in a document dated 1090 as a possession of the Counts of Achalm. The peddling trade, for which it became famous, arose out of the poverty and plight caused by the 30 Years' War, reached its peak in the first half of the 19th Century. Today, Eningen is a pretty and lively community. It is an ideal starting point for hikers, and the Eninger Weide recreational area includes game reserves with deer, wild boar and mouffon. There is also a museum dedicated to the artist Paul Jauch, who lived in Eningen from 1913 until his death in 1957.
Caln Township
Caln Township is a small town on Route 30, approximately 30 miles from Philadelphia between Downingtown and Coatesville. It was founded in about 1702 by settlers from Calne, Wilts and became one of the original Townships of Chester County (12 farms then made up the whole). In the early 18th century it was a large area, but as the USA developed, it split into East Caln, West Caln, East Brandywine, West Brandywine, the Borough of Downingtown, and the City of Coatesville (a steel town). Calne's present boundaries were set in 1868 when it became an official Township, achieving 1st Class Status in 1953. It celebrated its Centennial in 1968, when it first explored links with Calne, Wilts. Unlike Calne's other two twin towns, Caln Township has very few buildings over 100-years- old.
The Association
The aims of the Calne & District Twinning Association are to foster friendship between the towns officially twinned with Calne, and to encourage exchanges and links with these towns at all levels. It was formed in 1971 when Calne became twinned with Charlieu. Since then Calne has become twinned with Caln, Pennsylvania, USA in 1982 and Eningen-unter-Achalm in 1988. Calne, Charlieu and Eningen are also twinned with one another. Annual visits are made to either Charlieu or Eningen where members receive a friendly welcome and stay with host families. In turn the host towns, through their Twinning Associations, send regular groups to Calne. New friendships are made and there are many common interests and hobbies. Links also exist with the Calne Silver Band and the pupil exchange scheme through The John Bentley School. It is hoped to build a similar level of activity with Caln Township in the future. An Annual General Meeting is held in November and social evening on 'Mardi Gras'. Regular Newsletters are also published. New members are always very welcome to join.
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