Battle twinning group says Brexit will not harm friendships

Britain's vote to leave the European Union (EU) will have no effect on twinning, organisers say.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Jun 2016, 11:41 BST
Updated 28th Jun 2016, 12:43 BST

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Battle High StreetBattle High Street
Battle High Street

Battle Twinning Association said the town had built up long-standing friendships with Battle’s twin town, St Valery-sur-Somme in France.

Susan Williams, the association’s secretary, said: “We have been twinned with St Valery-sur-Somme since 1966 and will be celebrating our 50th anniversary this year..

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“In fact, it’s a twinning that goes back in history to 1066.

“We don’t get funding from the government, the town council and so on and raise our own funds. So we are entirely independent. We create friendship between two groups of people, non-politically.”

Fifty years ago, leading up to the celebrations for the 900th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, St Valery-sur-Somme approached Battle with the proposal of making a link between the two towns.

It was from the French town that William the Conqueror left France in September 1066 to contest the crown of England with Harold.

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They met around Senlac Hill and the Normans defeated the Saxons.

In September 1966 a small group led by the chairman of Battle and District Council visited St Valery-sur-Somme to attend a ceremony where a monument was unveiled, commemorating the departure of William for the conquest of England.

The group returned to Battle with the first twinning documents.

Neighbouring villages are also twinned with European towns.

Hurst Green is twinned with Ellerhoop in Germany and Northiam, near Rye, is twinned with Callone-sur-la-Lys in France.

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Battle’s mayor, David Furness, said: “We think there will be absolutely no effect whatsoever from Brexit on twinning. The good relationships we have will go on.

“I don’t think leaving the EU will present any obstacles at all. If there is more bureaucracy we have to go through then we will comply with it.”

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Related topics:BattleEuropean UnionBritainBrexitFrance