The association was established in 1995 with the objective of promoting within our community a greater understanding of France, its customs, culture and language through direct contact with a similar community in France. Waterlooville is twinned with the French town of Maurepas, which is situated about 5 miles from Versailles, just Southwest of Paris.
In 2008 we extended our twinning arrangement to include the German town of Henstedt Ulzburg which is also twinned with Maurepas. Henstedt Ulzburg is situated approx. 20 miles north of Hamburg.
The association encourages its members to form links with families in Maurepas and/or Henstedt Ulzburg and we visit each other for a weekend on alternate years, staying with our partner families. On our visits to both Germany and France we always receive wonderful hospitality. We pay our own travel costs.
The twinning association is a self funding organisation, which arranges various social events during the year for both members and guests. These events enable us to get to know one another and raise funds for entertaining our visitors when they come to the UK every other year.
Membership of the association is open to anyone in the Waterlooville area. You do not need to have language skills, just the love of making new friends, a little travel and the ability to enjoy a good time. You will also need a spare bed to accommodate your twinning partners when they come over for their weekend. Our French friends will be visiting us over the weekend of the Royal wedding this year and we will be travelling to Henstedt Ulzburg in early September.
We are always pleased to hear from anyone who is interested in joining the association and taking part in the activities. Please contact the Chairman, Glynnis Simcox, on 023 9225 4553 or Tony Rice-Oxley on 07831 111970.
