Nairn May 2010
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Twinning Town Activity Along the Moray Firth Coast Twinning links in Moray commenced about 50 years ago and since 1992 have been overseen by The Moray Twinning Association, through which Moray Council gives an annual grant to support Twinning. Moray has a long history of Twinning and currently has five active Twinning’s, some being more active than others. The five links are: Dufftown, twinned with Mortlach in Canada; Elgin twinned with Landshut in Bavaria; Lossiemouth twinned with Hersbruck in Germany; and Forres twinned with Mount Dora in Florida and Vienenburg in Lower Saxony. Although each of these five operate in very different ways they all have the same purpose, and that is to foster social, cultural and educational links. Dufftown - Mortlach, Canada This group is very active and last year three separate groups from Dufftown visited Mortlach in June, July and September. A couple from Mortlach also came across to Dufftown and while here visited their son who is studying at Glasgow, perhaps as a result of twinning.
Elgin & District Pipe Band in Landshut High Street 2009
Elgin - Landshut, Bavaria This is a very active link and has been for more than 50 years. Many long lasting friendships have been built up over the years and exchange visits are made regularly. Last year, for example, 42 members headed to Germany for the Royal Wedding, which is re-enacted every four years. School visits also take place regularly in both directions and there is also a link between the firemen in both towns. Lossiemouth - Hersbruck, Germany This group unfortunately went through a bit of a lull and without new blood were in danger of folding, but after a lot of activity by the remaining committee, they have managed to attract new members, and have appointed 5 new committee members. Last year a successful visit was hosted and appears to have a bright future. Forres - Mount Dora, Florida This group facilitates a school exchange every year. Two students are chosen, each year, by application and interview, with parents also being interviewed. Successful students spend about a month in their twin town, or Sister City as it’s known by the residents of Mount Dora. Approximately three weeks are spent attending school where page 4 - May 2010
SpotLight Local Interest
students from both sides find it a very interesting and worthwhile experience. There is quite an active social side to the exchange. The two students who visited last year have said, “We both found it an invaluable experience and it helped to substantially broaden our outlook.” Forres – Vienenburg, Germany During the 25 years of the existence of the partnership, regular visits to and from Forres and Vienenburg, both formal and informal, have taken place. In 1985 the first group from Forres went to the twin town and were given a rousing reception. 1994 - 10th Anniversary celebrated in Vienenburg. 2004 - 20th Anniversary celebrated in Forres. 2006 - celebration of the 700th Anniversary of the town of Vienenburg, when a carving by local craftsman Jack Falconer was presented to the Mayor of Vienenburg on behalf of the people of Forres, and now has pride of place in the Council Chambers in Vienenburg. 2009 - the celebration of the 25th Aniversary in Vienenburg. Numerous informal and private visits have been made over the years, most recently to Forres in June 2008 in glorious sunshine. Strong lasting friendships have been made and warm, generous hospitality is always offered to visitors on both sides. It is fun! Twinning is good for tolerance and acceptance of foreign cultures and good for building friendships. All Twinning Societies live and die by the willingness of ordinary people to get involved. That can mean attending the regular local social events arranged by each society, or (for the more adventurous) travelling abroad to meet and stay with people in the twinning town.All of the societies in Moray are listed below and all are constantly on the look-out for new members, so please contact them. If you are reading this in the Nairn area, your closest twinning societies are either Forres or Inverness. Dufftown and Mortlach Twinning Association Mr Gordon Haughton, gordon.haughton@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Elgin-Landshut Twintown Association Mrs Lorna Paterson, asp@globalnet.co.uk Forres-Vienenburg Twinning Association Mrs Chrissie Suttie, isuttie@btinternet.com Lossiemouth-Hersbruck Twin Town Association Mrs Joan Key, joan.key@tesco.net Royal Burgh of Forres-Mount Dora Twinning Association Mr Kenneth Laing, kenneth.laing@tiscali.co.uk
Vienenburg Distillery (Klösterbrennerei)
tel: 01309 690063
SpotLight - Nairn and District