Who is Axminster twinned with?
Axminster was officially twinned in 1999 with Douvres la Délivrande, a small town in Normandy near the D-Day beaches and close to the city of Caen. It is a beautiful town, a mixture of old and new, and it has about the same population as Axminster. One of the attractions is that it is just a 25 minute drive from the port of Caen (Ouistreham). See their website at www.jumelage-douvresladelivrande.fr/index.php/fr/vie-de-l-association/rencontres-avec-axminster
What is the purpose of twinning?
Axminster Twinning Association exists to enable the people of both towns to explore their cultural differences. Twinning provides the opportunities for people from different backgrounds to share experiences and ideas – you will make relationships unlike any others. Our association aims to facilitate and foster these friendships.
What do we do?
Annual visits which take place over a weekend are the highlight of the calendar; one year our French friends will come to Axminster, the next year we will go to Douvres. We stay in the homes of our French hosts who arrange a varied programme of outings, expeditions, communal meals and get-togethers. Along with fantastic food and drink there is always a warm welcome and generous hospitality. Hosting our French friends is not an obligation but it will give you a further insight into what Twinning is all about.
‘Special interest’ exchanges are also made. A group from Douvres comes every year to the Axe Vale Festival and we often attend the medieval festival at the Baronnie. Horse lovers may enjoy the Normandy horse festival. Art and Photographic exhibitions have been mounted in both countries and musicians exchange concerts and master classes. For the young we have helped forge links between local primary and secondary schools either with visits or by email correspondence.
If you would like to contact us for more information please send an email to arksteerer@aol.com
Axminster Twinning Association 