Sudbury renews twinning partnership with Danish town of Fredensborg

Sudbury cemented its close partnership with Fredensborg in Denmark this month, when it welcomed foreign visitors to celebrate more than a decade as twinned towns.

Sudbury Town Council and the Sudbury Town Twinning Association hosted their Danish counterparts over several days, leading them on a guided tour around the town, as well as visits to the Nethergate Brewery in Long Melford and the Duxford Imperial War Museum.

On Sunday, July 1, the mayors of both towns then re-signed the twinning charters, which officially link Sudbury Town Council and the Fredensborg municipality.

A partner since 2007, Fredensborg is the third location twinned with Sudbury.

The formal connection has resulted in school exchange programmes, joint choir concerts, sports competitions and other collaborations.

Debbie Thomas, vice-chairman of the Sudbury Town Twinning Association, told the Free Press that the partnership had helped to broaden the town’s horizons, as few local people knew much about Denmark compared to other European countries.

“Culturally, it has given us a great understanding of different ideas and views, and allowed us to meet people from different backgrounds,” she said.

“It has fostered talking and understanding. Obviously, there’s a lot of talk about Brexit, but it’s always amicable, and it’s so interesting to hear how people in other countries perceive it.

“Economically, it brings money to the town, and we do the same when we go there.

“In future, I would like to see more groups of all ages get involved. We want to promote and facilitate that.”

To learn more about the twinning partnerships, go online to towntwinning.onesuffolk.net.