Council

TOWN TWINNING

Town Twinning developed mainly after the Second World War to promote mutual understanding and friendship.

East Ayrshire is twinned with five European towns:

Ales in the Gard region of France (1974)

Kulmbach in Bavaria, Germany (1974)

Herstal, near Liege in Belgium (1977)

Joue-les-tours, Touraine region of France(1990)

Santa Coloma de Gramenet, near Barcelona, Spain (1994)

The twinning of local authorities and towns with counterparts in other countries is a well established and proven practice.

Benefits

Twinning has the potential to help local communities expand into new markets, provide training which expands people’s horizons, learn about different practices in economic development and training, develop joint ventures, technology / expertise transfer, sales and distribution potential, attract inward investment and allow for targeted promotion of tourism. It also, of course, develops real and lasting friendships between communities throughout Europe and beyond.

The twinnings which exist between towns and communities are based on many of the themes which our local poet, Robert Burns, covered in his poetry; friendship, brotherhood and peace among nations.

Charters exist for all 5 twin towns.

International Twinning Awards

In September 1980 Kilmarnock & Loudoun District Council (now part of East Ayrshire Council) was presented with the Council of Europe Flag of Honour; this was followed in August 1989 by the Plaque of Honour which is second only to the Europe Prize itself. Both are now kept within the council's offices in Kilmarnock.

From an economic view point town twinning has the potential to help local companies expand into new markets, to learn about new practices in economic development in training, develop joint ventures, increase sales and distribution potential, attract inward investment and allow for targeted promotion of tourism.