International Town Twinning
Bolton is twinned with Le Mans in France and Paderborn in Germany. This tripartate arrangement sees each town hosting the International Town Twinning Civic Visit every three years and arranging a programme of events for the delegations from each town.
Bolton and Le Mans
Bolton’s first formal links were forged with Le Mans in December 1973.
Bolton and Paderborn
Bolton’s first formal links were forged with Paderborn in July 1975.
The Benefits of Town Twinning
The International Town Twinning Civic Visit gives each town the opportunity to discuss any important issues as well as to renew old friendships and form new ones.
Many long standing friendships continue to flourish today and adults and children continue to participate in exchanges.
One of the most long standing initiatives between each three towns has been the International Youth Philharmonic Orchestra exchange visits. This involves an orchestra of young people from each twin town rehearsing specific pieces of music in their own town before the three orchestras come together in each of the three towns to play the music together.
Bolton Twinning Association
This association is supported by the Council and was set up to promote and foster friendships, understanding and common bonds of interests between local groups and organisations from each of the three twin towns.
The Association facilitates any requests received from each twin town for work experience, exchanges, and work placements in Bolton, and those wishing to find a work placement in Le Mans or Paderborn.
The chair of the Bolton Twinning Association is Barbara Ronson who can be contacted via email at baronson1612@btinternet.com or 01204 695742.