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Leighton-Linslade is linked by agreement with Coulommier in Northern France and Titisee-Neustadt in the High Fore area of southern Germany. Find out more about our twinned town below.

Each country has its own twinning association that helps to co-ordinate various events.

The three countries take it in turns to host visits from the other two. Every three years Leighton-Linslade will host visitors from France and Germany. This usually takes place in July to coincide with the Linslade Canal Festival. In 2022, the visit took place on Thursday 2nd June – Monday 6th June as part of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations.

The Town Twinning Forum meets in the evening approximately 6 times a year. Would you like to find out more about our Twinned Towns or become part of the Town Twinning Forum please get in touch.

Town Twinning: What does it mean?

What does it mean to Leighton Buzzard to be twinned with Titisee-Neustadt and Coulommiers?

We speak to Cllr Tony Morris to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cxGFbhs-9c

Ig Five

 

Video Transcript:

Town Twinning with our French and German partners started largely after the second world war when it was very much about creating and encouraging friendship with people who fought and killed and died.

It was very popular, very successful amongst towns. We in Leighton Buzzard came to it a little later in time, and we paired up with Titisee-Neustadt and Coulommier in France.

In my youth town twinning was very much about student exchange, pen friends and getting the youngsters involved. It was at a time when travel was exciting and unique and different.

Things have changed since then. Children go on holiday abroad all the time and children can’t go and share and stay with families no longer in France and Germany. Very much based on Safeguarding issues and the problems around that. That sort of thing hasn’t happened.

We are very fortunate here in Leighton Buzzard in our history. We’ve had people from the Tennis Club, from Heath Band, they’ve actually visited and performed. Developed relationships and friendships.

What has been pure and consistent throughout the time of change that exists and with Covid even now when we’re not able to visit, it’s still our friendship which prevails and we hope that that friendship will prevail ongoing.

Titisee-Neustadt

Titisee-Neustadt is the name of the administrative area that covers an area of the High Forest of Southern Germany.

Germany’s largest natural ski jump is situated in Titisee-Neustadt and hosts regular international competitions. For the less adventurous there are multiple slopes for skiers and snowboarders.

One of the many interesting events held in the area is FASNET, a week of fun when the ‘fools’ take over the area, this is held a week before lent and is an explosion of sun and festivity.

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Titisee Crest

Coulommiers

The link with Coulommiers began in 1958 and was renewed in 1982 whilst the Titisee-Neustadt link was established in 1991. The town of approximately 35,000 is in the heart of the area where the brie cheese is created. Each year Coulommiers hold an international Cheese and Wine Festival in late March or early April, it is possible to sample up to 100 different wines and 50 cheeses in a carnival atmosphere. There is also a Christmas Market held in the 14th Century Barn which is also a great event.

The town is a very pleasant area with a large formal park and sports ground. The river running through the town offers an interesting feature. The 12th Century Commandery of the Knights Templar Is another interesting site on the outskirts of the town.

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Coulommiers

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

On Thursday 2nd June, The Town Mayor Councillor Farzana Kharawala was joined by Meike Folkerts, Mayor of Titisee-Neustadt, and Michele Kit, Municipal Councillor delegate for General Affairs, Twinning and Patriotic Life Coulommiers, to light The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon in Parson’s Close Recreation Ground. This was followed by the opening of The Leighton-Linslade Rotary Clubs Jubilee Fayre on Friday 3rd June.

Throughout the four day celebrations, our visitors from Titisee-Neustadt and Coulommiers also attended the Big Lunch Food Festival and the opening Music in the Park concert. In total the Town Twinning forum hosted 6 German and 3 French guests and arranged a BBQ and a meal for them. They also enjoyed a visit to The White House before leaving.

Twinning Millstone Presentation

Commemoration Rock From Coulommiers

Past Mayor, Councillor David Bowater visited Coulommiers for their annual cheese festival in April 2022.

During the visit he attended the unveiling of a stone to mark fifty years of Twinning between Leighton Buzzard, Coulommiers and Titisee-Neustadt.

Unveiling Ceremony Of The Twinning Millstone

Michele Kit, Delegated Municipal Councillor in Coulommiers said

“In brie earth the rock that marks our region is called the millstone because in the old days grinding wheels were made with these stones to crush cereals in mills because this stone is very hard.

In 2021, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the twinning of our three cities, as we could not meet because of COVID we thought  of laying a stone with the two cities and the number of km to travel from Coulommiers, waiting for better days for the inauguration.

We take advantage of the fact that British and German representatives come to the fair for the inauguration.”