Eden Twinning hosted a successful reception dinner at Rickards Hall on Friday 22 May, welcoming visitors from our French twin town of Mont-Saint-Aignan for a weekend of friendship, cultural exchange and renewed connections.
Although the original Twinning Association is no longer under the auspice of the Town Council, the strong relationship between Edenbridge and Mont-Saint-Aignan remains very much alive thanks to the dedication, enthusiasm and hard work of the Eden Twinning group, who organised an excellent programme for the visit.
Guests gathered at Rickards Hall for an evening of warm hospitality, good conversation and a delicious meal, followed by dessert from local Edenbridge Market trader TonTon Gilles.
The visitors were formally welcomed by the Vice-Chairman of Edenbridge Town Council, Councillor Jon Aldridge, who attended on behalf of the Chair, who was unable to be present.
In his address, Cllr Aldridge reflected on the long history linking Edenbridge and Mont-Saint-Aignan. While the official twinning charter was signed in 1973 and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023, he reminded guests that the connection stretches back more than 800 years through the story of Thomas à Becket, whose time in exile near Mont-Saint-Aignan helped establish historic links with Penshurst and the surrounding area.
Cllr Aldridge thanked the Eden Twinning group for their commitment to maintaining these important international friendships, noting that what began as a historical connection had grown into lasting personal relationships between families and communities. He highlighted the many exchanges, shared experiences and friendships that have developed over the years, as well as the oak tree at Pound’s Green, planted when the twinning charter was signed and still growing today as a symbol of the enduring partnership.
Speaking about the importance of such relationships in today’s world, he remarked that in uncertain times, the bonds of friendship and understanding between communities matter more than ever.
To mark the occasion, Cllr Aldridge presented the visitors with a gift from Edenbridge Town Council: a bottle of Kentish sparkling wine. Referring to the growth of Kent’s vineyards over the past fifty years, he joked that while local residents are proud of their sparkling wine, the final verdict on how it compares with French produce would be left to the visitors themselves.
The evening was a fitting start to the French guests’ stay and demonstrated that, despite organisational changes over the years, the spirit of twinning between Edenbridge and Mont-Saint-Aignan continues to thrive through friendship, hospitality and shared heritage.
The next generation…
The Eden Twinning group hopes that the long-standing relationship between Edenbridge and Mont-Saint-Aignan will continue to grow and thrive for many years to come. To help ensure its future, the group is reaching out to local schools and community organisations, encouraging young people to learn more about the partnership and take part in opportunities to connect with their counterparts in France. If you would like to find out more or get involved, please get in touch with the group: