why were UK towns twinned with other towns around the world ?

Answer 1

So local councillors, Mayors etc can get paid holidays

Answer 2

Town twinning is a concept whereby towns or cities in geographically and politically distinct areas are paired with the goal of fostering human contact and cultural links. In Europe, such pairs of towns are known as twin towns, friendship towns or, in German, partner towns (Partnerstädte); in North America and Australasia, the term sister cities is used for the same concept; and brother cities (города-побратимы) is the term in the former Soviet bloc. Twin towns often (though by no means always) have similar demographic and other characteristics. Sometimes, even larger areas enter into "twinning" agreements, such as that between the provinces of Hainan in China and Jeju in South Korea.

The concept can be likened to a scaled up version of a "pen pal" scheme, in which the "pals" are whole towns or cities. In practice, the twinning arrangements often lead to student exchange programs, as well as economic and cultural collaborations.

The first "Twinning" was in 1836 between Paderborn-Germany and Le Mans-France which was made official in 1967.

Answer 3

France, Germany and Spain (which were normally where the towns are situated) are not and never have been part of the british empire.

It was started shortly after the war to bring together the citizens of europe and encourage interaction between the towns and citizens:

http://ec.europa.eu/towntwinning/index_en.html

here's a link that explains it

Answer 4

Well seems like none of the above are correct
This has been around since at least the late fifties.
Think it was to promote understanding between the peoples of different (european) nations and languages. They usually started with student exchanges/holidays etc
Anybody a better idea - or better still anyone actually know rather than taking a good guess?

Answer 5

At somepoint in history the British town had some sort of very strong trade link to the town in the other country.

Answer 6

So that a lot of our Local Gov.Officers can go on holiday at the rate payers expence. They will tell you otherwise, but then just like Red Ken...They try and fluff that over. Local Rates should be used for LOCAL matters. In my area we were promised all sorts of extras by the Lib.Dems....What did they do....Ist thing in office
paid themselves a whopping 35% pay rise. Oh for the community
spirit.

Answer 7

I think it was when UK joined the EEC, it was supposed to unite the European countries if towns and cities were twinned with each other.To make them feel kindred and all that

Answer 8

No doubt the original idea was to foster good relations between countries but it seems that now the popular opinion is that it is much abused by civic officials

Answer 9

i really dont know the answer to that but i can guess there is money involved or cheap inter travel between the two towns and lavish parties does anyone know anything different

Answer 10

To give local councillors free holidays.