Welcome to the Ludlow French Town Twinning Association. We have been twinned with La Ferté-Macé in Normandy since 1986, when a group of intrepid pioneers from Ludlow ventured across the Channel to make contact. From those initial steps the twinning associations of Ludlow and La Ferté-Macé have worked closely to build lasting bonds of friendship, organise regular visits and develop common aims These aims  are supported by the towns’ respective local authorities and include economic co-operation, school exchanges, cultural events, social and family exchanges, and sporting  activities.

The central core of the co-operation between the two twinning associations are the annual visits. The towns take turns to visit one another, usually in May, to meet up with old friends and make new ones, practice language skills, and gain a better understanding of each other’s culture. On these occasions families are hosted by and play host to the visiting families. Helping to organise educational exchanges and apprenticeship opportunities is an additional and important aspect of our co-operation, as is the furthering of contacts between sporting and cultural bodies.

In 2007 we celebrated our 20^th twinning anniversary in La Ferté-Macé, with return celebrations in Ludlow in May 2008, when both towns’ mayors signed a joint declaration, committing to strengthening future co-operation through the twinning associations.

In Ludlow members of the twinning association are kept informed by a regular newsletter of social events during the year and other relevant information. The association is run by a committee which is elected annually at an AGM which usually takes place in January.

The association welcomes new members. Anyone interested is asked to complete the application form.

The objectives of Twinning are as follows:

- Sustainable economic activities in industry, agriculture and crafts undertaken by individuals or through professional associations, and including apprenticeships or traineeships;

- Exchanges between Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Colleges, covering both academic and vocational training fields;

- Cultural activities (for example: music, singing, theatre, dance) with a particular emphasis on involving young people;

- Social exchanges, especially between families and groups;

- Sporting activities, with the involvement of clubs and societies to encourage exchanges through sport.