Town Twinning

Thanks to the wonder of modern information and communication technology, the world is increasingly described as a 'Global Village'. This, coupled with European integration, has meant that local authorities have an important role in ensuring communities work with our European and international cousins, to improve mutual learning and development.

Local councils across the United Kingdom have established alliances and partnerships with a number of mainly similar communities both in Europe and further afield, within a spirit of international co-operation. Formal town twinning links or partnerships, based on providing technical support and institutional capacity building, not only help break down cultural barriers they also provide an opportunity to learn from each other.

What Is Town Twinning ?

A twinning link is defined by the Local Government International Bureau as a friendship agreement involving co-operation between two communities, in different countries, endorsed by both local authorities. The two twinned communities organise projects and activities based around a range of issues in order to develop an understanding of historical and cultural similarities and differences.

For further information on the extent of town twinning links between the United Kingdom; Europe and other communities, please visit the LGIB Website

Barnsley's Town Twinning Links

Barnsley is the 'Twin Town' to two communities. The first is the German town of Schwabisch Gmund and the second is Gorlovka, in the Ukraine.

Schwabisch Gmund

Schwabisch Gmund  is located in the eastern part of the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg. It is the second largest town in the Ostalbkries and the whole region of East Wurttemberg.

Schwabisch Gmund lies on the River Rems, at the bottom of the Schwabian Jura mountains. It is approximately 50km from the city of Stuttgart, which is the capital of Baden-Wurttemberg.
The town was founded in the mid 12th Century and is well known for the manufacture of gold and silver handicrafts. Schwabisch Gmund is also home to the world renowned Forschunginstitut fur Edelmetalle und Metallchemie, an academic institute in the field of precious metals.

Schwabisch Gmund is also noted for its association with the automotive industry and the manufacture of machinery and glass.

Barnsley's town twinning link was established almost by accident in 1954 when a councillor from Schwabisch Gmund, Herr Guido Bruhi, was leading a group of young Germans on a proposed visit to South Wales. Unfortunately, an outbreak of foot and mouth disease threw their plans into disarray.

The late Councillor Arthur Williams of Barnsley MBC heard about this and after consulting the Council, invited the party from Schwabisch Gmund to stay at Scout Dyke. This remarkable act of comradeship was the foundation of our link.

After many years of exchange visits, involving young people, a formal town twinning link between Schwabisch Gmund and Barnsley was established in 1971 when Barnsley's then Mayor and Mayoress, Alderman Theodore Hinchcliffe and his wife, made the first official visit to Schwabisch Gmund, on behalf of the Borough.

Since then, groups ranging from bands, choirs and sports men and women, from each community, have visited each other as part of a great tradition linking the two towns. Indeed, in 1978 the Barnsley Schwabisch Gmund Society was formed to further friendly links between the two communities.

Currently, proposals are being developed to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the twinning link. Celebrations will be held in both Barnsley and Schwabisch Gmund and, in keeping with the FIFA World Cup taking place in Germany, this summer, a junior 'mini world cup' will be staged.

Gorlovka

Gorlovka is a large mining town situated in the Eastern part of the Ukraine, in the Donetsk oblast or city region. Gorlovka was originally founded by Pyotr Gorlov as a pattern of mining settlements prior to its rapid expansion in the 1930s.

One of Gorlovka's most famous sons is the Cosmonaut Alexander Volkov. In 1998, Comrade Volkov took Barnsley Chronicle character Sam Barn into space as the then mascot for the Mir Space Station. Barnsley's first and only venture into space was featured as part of a live TV link up between the Mir Space Station and the Christmas Day edition of BBC TV's Noel (Edmonds) House Party. Barnsley's friendship with Gorlovka can be traced back to the height of the Cold War when, in May 1956, a delegation of miners from Yorkshire briefly stayed in the Town whilst on a study tour of the former Soviet Union. A similar delegation also stayed there in 1972. In 1984, a further miners delegation visited the area and among the party was the late Ron Rigby, former Leader of Barnsley MBC. It was as part of this delegation that Barnsley Council agreed in principle to twin with Gorlovka and a formal twinning agreement was developed between the two communities, during the following year.

In 1987, during a visit to Gorlovka by the then Mayor Elect, Councillor Roy Warden, the town twinning agreement was signed and then ratified at a further signature ceremony, in Barnsley, the following year.

There have been many visits which have been undertaken by both communities as well as useful exchanges of information & knowledge. The year 2007 will see the 20th anniversary of Barnsley's town twinning link with Gorlovka.

You can find out more about Barnsley's town twinning links with Gorlovka and Schwabisch Gmund, by visiting the Barnsley Youth Council website.