Europe Is Still Our Neighbour
Visit Two of Hastings’ Twins
Whatever our future relationship with Europe, Hastings will continue to maintain its long-term ties with four continental towns: Béthune (France), Schwerte (Germany), Oudenaarde (Belgium) and Dordrecht (The Netherlands).
Over the years, twinning has given Hastings and St Leonards residents the chance to travel cheaply, to make friends abroad and to get to know other cultures and lifestyles. It has also been a wonderful way for young people to enlarge their horizons, particularly through sporting and musical events and competitions.
The links with Béthune and Schwerte remain strong, but the twinning committees of Oudenaarde and Dordrecht are looking to strengthen ties by organising a short trip to introduce these two beautiful towns to a wider audience. The three-day break is planned from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th June 2020.
Dordrecht, where three rivers meet, is typically Dutch with its canals, gabled façades, cobbled streets, open-air cafés, historic buildings, and lively shops and street markets. But that weekend in June is extra special, since the whole town is taken over by a magnificent steam festival. There’s a fantastic atmosphere: the rivers and canals are full of steamboats, and there are traction engines, fire engines, hurdy-gurdies, model trains and all kinds of attractions in the streets.
The programme includes a reception at the historic Town Hall, a tour of old Dordrecht, watching the procession on the river, and plenty of free time to soak up the atmosphere, ride on a steam train or a river boat, visit the model building show etc.
See the steam festival’s website www.dordtinstoom.nl/english for more details.
Oudenaarde is smaller and quieter, but just as picturesque. The 16th century Gothic town hall is stunning, and full of treasures. Our twinner friends are working on the programme for our day spent in the town. Oudenaarde is famous for its beer, and twinning meals are always very enjoyable.
For a three-day, half-board break by coach (two days and nights in Dordrecht, one day in Oudenaarde, leaving Friday and returning Sunday evening), the cost is £269 per head – reduced if there are enough takers.
• Book places as soon as possible by emailing [email protected] (or contact 07812 487378) and send a deposit of £50 per head to The Treasurer, 52 Linton Road, Hastings TN34 1TN (cheques to Hastings & Oudenaarde Twinning Association).
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