Letter: Why Not Twin With Guildford, Western Australia?

Published on: 26 Oct, 2017
Updated on: 26 Oct, 2017

From Bernard Parke

Hon Alderman and former Mayor of Guildford

Guildford has a Town Twinning Working Group with the laudable task of fostering international relationships in the form of twinnings, partnerships or links.

Admiral Sir James Stirling, the first governor of Western Australia

I wonder if consideration will be given to forming such a relationship with our namesake near Perth in Australia?

Guildford, Western Australia, was established in 1829 as part of the fledgling Swan Valley Colony by Admiral Stirling who is buried in the churchyard of St John’s at Stoke, together with his wife. He led the setting up of the state of Western Australia and was its first governor.

His home was here in Henley Park, Normandy, where he met his wife Ellen daughter of James ”Potato face“ Mangles MP, who was also a Mayor of Guildford.

James “Potato Face” Mangles

Stirling later lived in Woodbridge Park a large house (on a site now occupied by Wickes, Woodbridge Road) that belonged to the Mangles family.

The Admiral’s actions in Western Australia prevented that part of the continent falling into French hands.

I am not suggesting for one instant that we send a delegation to Australia at council taxpayer’s expense, but it would be good, especially at this time of uncertainty in Europe, to strike up a relationship with the people in that part of Australia and to remember an important part of our town’s history.

Sadly, I do not suppose for one moment that this suggestion will be taken up by the powers that be.

Responses to Letter: Why Not Twin With Guildford, Western Australia?

Dave Middleton Reply

October 27, 2017 at 12:54 pm

I think that’s a splendid idea by Mr Parke. He should formally put it to the working group.

And I see that the Guildford in Western Australia that the alderman suggests we twin with has an Academy of Taxidermy. Perhaps we should send the GBC delegation there?
Bernard Parke Reply

October 31, 2017 at 9:15 am

Yes, I did think of sending this proposal to the new twinning working group.

However, this group does not seem to have much influence as we have just witnessed in the case of the recent partnership agreement.
Lisa Wright Reply

October 31, 2017 at 11:38 am

The Mangles family also owned, farmed and lived at Blackwell Farm.
Roy Thomas Reply

October 31, 2017 at 5:17 pm

Excellent idea. Guildford, WA is an interesting town to visit and a great wine growing area.
Barbara Ford Reply

October 31, 2017 at 7:26 pm

An especially good idea now, given that Qantas is to run direct flights from London to Perth starting in, I believe, early 2018.
- David Wragg Reply
  
  November 1, 2017 at 6:14 pm
  
  Partnering with a city in Communist Chinese at a time when that country is intimidating its neighbours and oppressing its people is shameful. We should show solidarity with Hong Kong which has been betrayed and is now seeing hopes for democracy crushed.
  
  As a lifelong Conservative voter, I cannot understand why the council has accepted money from China.
Dave Middleton Reply

November 1, 2017 at 1:07 pm

And while we’re at it, how about twinning with Guildford, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney, which also has links to Guildford:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guildford,_New_South_Wales

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_of_Guilford