Ashford is rightly proud of its strong links with its European Twin Towns of Bad Münstereifel in Germany and Fougères in France and its most recent alliance with Hopewell, Virginia, USA.

Links with Bad Münstereifel go back over 50 years, although the formal twinning did not take place until 26 August 1964. The Fougères connection began with a 'Liaison Amicale' in 1978 and was followed by an official ceremony in 1984.

The link with Hopewell commenced on the 16 April 1994 when, at a ceremony in Virginia, the Mayors of Ashford and Hopewell recognised the historic relationship between the two communities and established a concordat which preceded a formal twinning five years later. Tenterden is twinned with Avallon in the Burgundy region of France while the village of Hamstreet is twinned with Therouane in France.

The Ashford Twinning Association organises visits both to and from Bad Munstereifel and Fougeres during the year and is always pleased to introduce people to Ashford's European twin towns. The Friends of Hopewell Association in pioneering the friendship and historic relationship, has succeeded, together with its partners in Hopewell in creating one of the strongest links between any two communities in Great Britain and the United States.

Useful Contacts

The Chairman of Ashford Twinning Association Gillian Lines on 01233 642660.

The Chairman of the Friends of Hopewell Association Terry Stock on 01233 666291.