Newark town mayor and town clerk visit twin town Sandomierz, Poland, and celebrate Poland's national independence day which is akin to Britain’s Remembrance Day
Newark's mayor has returned from the Polish twin town of Sandomierz where he took part in Poland's independence day celebrations, akin to Remembrance Day, and the Advertiser accompanied him.
Newark was twinned with Sandomierz following the official signing of the charter in Newark in 2006, and in Poland the following year.
Sandomierz twinning associate Roman Rynski has been involved in the movement for more than 20 years and first visited Newark in July 2002.
He said: “Those were the first steps to encourage people of Newark to see Sandomierz. After some talks between mayors and councillors and they agreed that they were enthusiastic to sign.”
Newark first joined the twinning movement in 1984, with the German town, Emmendingen.
The three towns — Newark, Sandomierz and Emmendingen — are now twinned with each other.
Newark’s town clerk Matthew Gleadell said: “Over many years the towns have seen trips to each other’s towns by delegations from the respective twinning committees.
“There have been cultural exchanges, visits by bands and musical performers between the two towns, there have been athletes that have attended and participated in sporting events in each other’s towns and schools from respective towns have been involved in working with each other on educational activities.
"The twinning relationships open up opportunities for people from respective towns to experience other cultures and create real friendships that are valued by those within them.
“In a world where division and conflict is all too regular the message of unity and friendship that twinning represents cannot be understated.”
During a visit, Newark town mayor Laurence Goff and Mr Gleadell had dinner with Sandomierz town mayor, Martin Marzec, and the Polish town twinning associate Roman Rynski.
Mr Goff said it was a special honour and privilege to represent the Newark at the visit.
It was the first time the current town mayor and clerk had visited a twin town.
After joining the Independence Day celebrations, they were taken on a tour of the town’s cultural and heritage offerings, including the Market Square, underground tourist route and Diocesan Museum in Długosz House.
Mr Gleadell said: “Over time whilst the towns remain, the people and faces involved change either through sadly passing away or changes in life circumstances.
“In order to keep the benefit of twinning continuing new people have to get involved, new people have to keep the relationship going.
“In the case of Marcin and I, we are younger and both fairly new to any exposure to twinning. It is he and I who can help to continue to secure the future of twinning for both towns.
“Roman has a longer exposure to twinning and his knowledge of the history of the twinning relationship is very helpful to hear and understand.”
Sandomierz town mayor Martin Marzec said: “For us meeting our twinning partners from Newark was something special and perhaps this is something that will tie our relations.
“The partnership with Newark is very important to us. The cooperation between our cities, aimed at cultural, economic and information exchange, is a great initiative that facilitates joint activities between local government units.
“This form of co-operation gives an opportunity for internationalisation, increasing economic and social capital, adapting good practices and institutional support.
Sandomierz representatives are expected to visit Newark next year. in June or July towns celebrations involving both cultures and interests.
