Plougasnou is a small town in Brittany looking for an English town to twin with. A small twinning group from Plougasnou will be visiting Helston in late May 2010 to discuss these possibilities. For more information contact us at hdtta@hotmail.co.uk
Helston’s newly elected Mayor, Councillor John Boase, welcomed isitors from Plougasnou, Brittany this week. The four strong contingent from Plougasnou was on a fact finding trip to both Helston and Upton-upon-Severn, with the view to form a twinning link with one of the towns.
The short visit taken over a very intensive 24 hours included a tour of the Lizard Peninsula and a visit to The Marconi Radio Station at Poldhu. The tour continued with a morning walk around Helston using ‘The Town Trail’, visiting The Guildhall, Helston Folk Museum, Helston Library and St. Michael’s Church. A tour of Helston Community College was also an important part of the visit. A possible link between The College and a college or school near Plougasnou would be of benefit to the pupils and families of both towns.
Helston and District Town Twinning Association have been twinned with Sasso Marconi, Italy since 1068 and this link has gone from strength to strength. HDTTA have instigated this recent visit from the Bretons as a fact finding exercise in the hope that the people of Helston will embrace a new exchange. Before a final decision can be made on a future twinning with Plougasnou, HDTTA will need to seek the approval from Helston Town Council.
September 2010... A delegation from Helston recently visited Plougasnou, on a fact fiinding tour. Plans for a possible twinning link between Helston and Plougasnou are underway.
June 2010... A delegation from Sasso Marconi visited Helston in mid June, for a week of cultural and social activities. One such cultural visit was a reception in Helston Library, where members of both Helston and Sasso Marconi Twinning Association were able to enjoy the display of twinning artefact, which have been given to Helston by Sasso Marconi over the last 42 years.
April 2010 .... A Selection of gifts from Sasso Marconi, which have been presented to the town over the past 40 years are now on display in Helston Library. These artefacts have until now been hidden away in the Mayor's Parlour, but following the new referbishment of the library they are now on display for everyone to enjoy.view artefact catalogue...
Sasso Marconi Receives Civil Merit Gold Medal
The Civil Merit Gold Medal, is to be awarded by the President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano to the City of Sasso Marconi, for its role during World War II.
“……Lying in a strategic position to reach the City of Bologna, during the Second World War, Sasso Marconi suffered enormous damages: most of its citizens were obliged to evacuate, even if many of them gave their personal contribution and their lives to the Liberation Fight. In its territory, during the bloody Nazi occupation, a prison camp was settled, where prisoners were tortured……”
On Tuesday, June 1st, the Civil Merit Gold Medal will be presented to the citizens, on the occasion of an official ceremony at the Town Hall, in the presence of the Mayor, Stefano Mazzetti, The Prefect of Bologna, Dr. Angelo Tranfaglia, The Chairman of the Province of Bologna, Mrs. Beatrice Draghetti and Mr. Tiberio Rabboni, Councillor
of Emilia Romagna Region.
