Members of the Evesham Twinning Association, shown with township council members, took their trip to Dreux, France, in August.
Members of the Evesham Twinning Association attended this month’s council meeting to share information about their trip to Dreux, France, in August to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the town’s liberation from Germany during World War II.
Dreux has a Friendship Pact with the Evesham community, a link that came about with the township’s status as a Twin City of Evesham, England, itself a Twin City of Dreux. Twinning is sought between cities to encourage growth by the exchanging of differences and similarities between some cultures and communities.
Evesham’s Twinning Association board members Meredith Presley and Steve Royek attended the meeting and the former shared a brief history of the Twin Cities.
”The township of Evesham and Evesham, England, began a relationship in 1986 that eventually led to an official twinning between the two towns,” Presley noted. “Evesham, England, had long been involved in twinning with other European cities, one of which was Dreux, France.”
Evesham, New Jersey, will formerly become twin cities with Dreux, France, next year.
”In August of this year, the French invited members of the Evesham Twinning Association to Dreux to celebrate the 80th anniversary of their liberation,” Presley noted. ”Steve (Royek) and I were lucky enough to attend the celebration. We were graciously hosted by members of the Dreaux Twinning Association in their homes.”
The official festivities began on Aug. 16 with a motorcade of World War II vehicles along the same route the town’s liberators took in 1944. The motorcade arrived at the center of Dreux, where its mayor, Pierre-Frédéric Billet, as well as other government officials were present. The association shared a proclamation from Mayor Jaclyn Veasy celebrating the anniversary of the liberation and the fostering of the French and American friendship.
”The day ended with a parade and an exhibition highlighting the 80th anniversary of D-Day and showcasing World War II vehicles,” Presley said. “Steve and I were grateful to celebrate such an important event in Dreaux, and rekindled French relationships that have been made over the last 22 years of friendship.
”Twinning is a wonderful way to create bonds and friendship and cultural understanding between nations and the people.”
”I thought one of the best parts of the weekend … was before the celebration, when we sat with members of the Dreux Twinning Association,” Royek recalled. “It’s a very friendly organization, and that’s the whole point of what we’re doing (at the association), getting together at a grassroots level and speaking with them.
“We were treated like VIPs.”
”We appreciate you sharing this story and we look forward to seeing the gifts from Dreux and celebrating when they come visit (Evesham Township) next year,” Veasy’s proclamation noted. ”I’m grateful for you being able to share in the celebration with (Dreux) on behalf of Evesham Township and sharing a friendship with them.”
Learn more about the Evesham Twinning Association at eveshamtwinningnj.com.
