No Comment From Versailles on Proposed Twinning with Guildford

Published on: 7 Feb, 2019
Updated on: 8 Feb, 2019

Hotel de Ville Versailles (left) and Guildford’s Guildhall – has twinning progress stalled?

Progress on the proposal to twin Guildford with Versailles, prematurely announced by the Prime Minister during a visit by the French President a year ago, appears to have become as tricky as Brexit negotiations.

Guildford Twinning Association newsletter heading

Barbara Ford, Guildford Twinning Association chair, said in a newsletter: “I am often asked about progress on this but I am afraid it is very, very slow. The delay seems to be entirely on the French side. We are keeping our fingers crossed.”

A borough council spokesperson said: “The intention had been for a delegation from Versailles to visit Guildford last autumn to discuss the potential twinning but plans were put on hold due to the ill-health of one of the representatives of Versailles. We are awaiting proposed dates from Versailles.”

The Hotel de Ville (town hall) in Versailles has not responded to several requests for comment by The Dragon NEWS.

The Twinning Association is working with the borough council to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Guildford’s twinning with Freiburg.

Ms Ford writes in their newsletter: “We are delighted to be working with the council to mark the historic and successful occasion and provide appropriate festivities.

“These start… with some ambitious arts events. The council is planning formal civic celebrations too, with a delegation from Freiburg’s council, but dates and other details are still fluid.

“We are waiting for Freiburg’s Oberbürgermeister, Martin Horn, to confirm the date of his visit, probably in September, and will then firm arrangements.”