Tunbridge Wells Twinning & Friendship Association (TWTFA)

Chairman: Michael Holman

TWTFA traces its origins back to 1960. In March that year, four ex-servicemen from Tunbridge Wells, keen to heal the wounds of the Second World War and to build a better world for the future, travelled to Germany to meet their counterparts in Wiesbaden. The one-time combatants discovered that they spoke a common language of active reconciliation, and a partner agreement was signed in 1961. This was followed by a ‘Treaty of Friendship’ in 1971. In 1989 the two towns signed a Twinning Charter, displayed in Tunbridge Wells Town Hall. TWTFA enthusiastically supports the twinning link and it is proud to have as its President ex-Royal Marine Commando Tom MacAndrew – one of the four founding members, who extended the hand of friendship to Wiesbaden more than forty years ago.

Wiesbaden, our partner

Like Tunbridge Wells, Wiesbaden is an elegant spa town.  It lies between the river Rhine and the foothills of the Taunus Mountains. A short drive from Frankfurt, it is well-placed for business and pleasure and has some 270,000 inhabitants. Since 1945 Wiesbaden has been the capital of the State of Hessen.  TWTFA aims to support and nurture the links - youth, culture, sport, business - between the two towns as fully as possible. (Wiesbaden website: www.wiesbaden.de)

TWTFA today

Membership of TWTFA is open to anybody and currently costs just £5.00 pa.  Corporate membership costs £15 pa. The Association offers all its members the following:

• A programme of social events and visits to places of interest in the UK
• Talks and discussions on topics of current international interest
• Visits to festivals and markets in Germany
• The setting up and support of links between local clubs and organisations and their counterparts in Wiesbaden.

As part of its programme of events, the Association organises cultural and language activities and encourages links with other European countries as well as Germany.

Meetings: St. John’s Church Centre, St. John’s Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells (entrance via the car park in Amherst Road)