Town twinning

Pendle twinning association

Pendle is twinned with Creil in France, which is about 40km northwest of Paris. It is also twinned with Marl in northwest Germany.

Twinning helps us to form international friendships and understanding. The Association formed in 1973 when we first set up links with Creil. In 1994, we established links with Marl, which was already twinned with Creil. Marl is renowned for its world-famous Sculpture Museum.

Pendle Twinning Association is a voluntary organisation, and receives a small grant from the Council as well as relying on raising its own funds.

Particular emphasis is placed on young people up to the age of 25. The Association helps schools, sporting and cultural organisations and other groups to make contact with similar groups in our twin towns and contributes towards twinning exchange visits and projects.

In September 2019, Creil hosted a swimming tournament, inviting young swimmers from Pendle, Marl and Chorzow in Poland. The Twinning Association helped towards the cost of flights to enable young people from Colne Swimming Club to take part. This was the second swimming event - the first was held in Marl in 2017. 

In October 2019, the Pendle Youth Choir celebrated its 70th anniversary. Part of its celebrations was a trip to Paris to sing in Chartres Cathedral and Madelaine Church. The C4 choir from Creil joined them in Paris and they went on to sing together in Creil. The Association contributed £500 towards their visit to enable the two choirs to perform together and strengthen their link.

In 2022 Colne 21s Football Team represented Pendle in an exciting “No limits to fair play” friendly match in Marl. Colne 21s did some fundraising towards travel costs and Pendle Twinning Association also contributed towards these travel costs.

In 2024 Creil are proposing to host an International Youth Event at the Carrozd’Arraches site in Creil’Alpes. It would be for 16 – 19 year olds, with up to approximately five places for each twin country. 

Twinning meetings

Anyone is welcome to come to twinning meetings which are held every 6-8 weeks on Wednesday evenings at 5.30pm in Nelson Town Hall. Membership is £15 a year.

Chairman: Ian Graham
Honorary Secretary: Philip Mousdale

If you would like any more information please email Ian Graham: igm@talktalk.net

Pendle Palestine Twinning Group

The Pendle Palestine Twinning Group (PPTG) was formed in 2007 by a group of people in the Pendle area who were concerned about the treatment of the Palestinian people. 

In October 2007, three Palestinian visitors, including the Mayor of Beit Leed, came to Pendle. There was a return visit to Palestine the following spring, and since then there have been several trips in both directions. These visits are paid for by the individuals concerned or the PPTG.

The PPTG makes sure that visitors to Pendle meet as many people as possible, with at least one event to which the general public is invited. It generates publicity and press coverage, believing that an informed public is vital in helping to achieve a just solution to the problems facing the Palestinian people.

In December 2012, Pendle Council took steps to formalise the relationship between the two towns. It has now agreed to a twinning arrangement with Beit Leed. Although it is unable to provide financial help for the twinning, the Council has asked the PPTG to carry out the administrative work involved, which it is happy to do.

President: The Mayor of Pendle Borough Council
Chair:  Richard MacSween

Email: pendleforpalestinetwinning@gmail.com
Facebook: Pendle Palestine Twinning Group
Blog: http://pendlebeitleed.blogspot.co.uk/

Customer Services

Pendle Borough Council
Number One Market Street
Nelson
Lancs
BB9 7LG

Tel: 01282 661661