Skipton Twinning

Skipton formally twinned with the French town of Erquinghem-Lys, at a ceremony in Skipton Town Hall on Saturday (24th October).

The ceremony, held in the Town Council Chamber, was attended by almost 100 invited guests and dignitaries from key local groups and youth organisations, who were able to witness the signing of the Twinning Charter, which makes a declaration that both towns will work together to "encourage and assist youth and adult organisations, clubs, companies, groups and individuals to communicate and exchange visits with each other, thereby developing human and cultural relations."

In particular, representatives of the Duke of Wellington's Regimental Association, Royal British Legion and Skipton branches of various armed forces associations were present. There is a strong link between Erquinghem-Lys and the Duke of Wellington Regiment as the Dukes have the ‘keys to the Town' in commemoration of an act of bravery of one of its members in Erquinghem during the First World War. The Dukes also have the ‘freedom' of both the town of Skipton and of the Craven District.

A party of fifteen Councillors and guests from the town, which is around ten miles from Lille in northern France, were in Skipton for the ceremony headed up by the Mayor of Erquinghem-Lys, Alain Bezirard.

Speeches from the signing ceremony.  The full ceremony from within the Town Council Chamber:

Mr Forde, Chairman of twinning, Erquinghem-Lys speaking to Julian from Fresh Breakfast about the new twinning of Skipton and Erquinghem-Lys: