Sleaford and District Twinning Association

Page d'Accueil
France
Plescop
Sleaford and District Twinning Association

Set up in 1998/9 to organise twinning activities for the benefit of all residents of Sleaford and District.

10/07/2026

Marquette - A warm welcome guaranteed!

Thursday 2 July 2026 saw eleven Twinning Association members make our way by train to our twin French town of Marquette-lez-Lille for our annual visit. As always, we were guaranteed a warm welcome and a weekend of fun, friendship and outstanding hospitality. The warm welcome also extended to the weather, which remained at an average day-time temperature of 28C throughout.
After a much-needed arrival drink, during which we were also joined by German guests from our other twin town of Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf, we were all met by our host families and departed to our respective homes for a meal, a few more drinks and a good night’s sleep.
Friday morning saw us all depart by coach to the town of Bavay, famous for its extensive Gallo-Roman ruins and home to the largest and best-preserved Roman forum in France. After a very interesting presentation and guided tour of the ruins, we returned to Marquette to freshen-up for a very enjoyable communal Bring and Share Supper.
Saturday was a free day to spend with our host families, many of whom took the opportunity to explore the local area and to visit the beautiful city of Lille. The day culminated in an evening gala and disco, with the theme of ‘holidays.’ We were all well fed, watered and entertained.
As always, Sunday came around too soon and saw us make our way back home to Sleaford, suitably exhausted from a busy and entertaining long weekend. We send our love and thanks to the Comité de Jumelage for arranging such a fantastic visit and to our amazing host families for their generosity and for looking after us all so well.

05/07/2026

Congratulations, Shona!

Shona previously took advantage of the Twinning Association’s Student Discount Scheme, travelling with us twice to our twin town of Marquette-lez-Lille in N. France to practice her French language skills and to experience French life, whilst staying with a French host family.

Recently, Shona attained a ‘Commended’ entry in the Anthea Bell Prize (a translation competition run by Queen’s College, Oxford University) for her translation of an extract from Proust’s A la Recherche du Temps Perdu. Over 25,000 students participated in the competition in 2026, with the judges commenting on the very high standard of entries this year, making this is an even more remarkable achievement. Well done, Shona!

Thank you to Shona and St George's Academy for allowing us to share this story and photo.

28/06/2026

Sleaford 1940s Day
The Sleaford Twinning Associated were delighted to once more be part of this fun event and to have the opportunity to meet so many people interested in Sleaford’s twinning activities. For more information, please contact us at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

15/06/2026

Happy 650th Anniversary Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf.

On 5 - 7 June 2026, a small delegation from Sleaford Twinning Association and Sleaford Town Council were honoured to attend the 650th anniversary celebrations of our German twin town, Fredersdorf – Vogelsdorf.

A number of small events took place throughout Friday and Saturday, including the annual Pétanque match between Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf and its other twin towns of Marquette-lez-Lille (France) and Skwierzyna (Poland). This year, quite fittingly, Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf lifted the trophy.

The highlight was, undoubtedly, taking part in the procession through the Town on Sunday morning. Much of the Town turned out to line the 2.5km route and cheer on the participating clubs, associations and groups. Within our multi-national Twinning Partnership contingent, Sleaford was very prominent with our banners and Union Flag waistcoats, which were very well received by the crowds. Then it was back to the main festival area to carry on the celebrations.

Sleaford Town Councillors, Alison and Adrian Snookes, later presented the Mayor of Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf with an engraved decanter to mark the special occasion, together with a congratulatory letter from the Mayor of Sleaford.

It was an honour and an absolute pleasure to take part in the 650th anniversary celebrations. Our thanks go to the Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf Partnerschaftskomitee and to our host families for looking after us so well and to everyone else involved in the event for their wonderful company and friendship.

26/05/2026

Bienvenue and Willkommen

On Thursday 14 May 2026, guests from our twin-towns of Marquette-lez-Lille and Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf, arrived in Sleaford for their annual visit. Having been warmly greeted by Sleaford’s newly-appointed Mayor, Cllr David Darmon, and met by their hosts, they were treated to a short reception held at the Town Hall. It was then off to the homes of their hosts for a meal, a few drinks and a good night’s rest.
The next morning the group departed Sleaford for a visit to Gunby Hall and Gardens near Spilsby, where they were given a special tour of the Hall and ample time to view the grounds. After enjoying a picnic lunch in the glorious sunshine, it was then off to the Bubble Car Museum near Boston to view their extensive and unique collection of vehicles and memorabilia from a bygone era, evoking memories for many and being a real eye-opener to our younger guests. It was then back to Sleaford.
After a short rest, the visitors and their hosts attended the New Life Centre for the Gala Evening. Here they were greeted by the Mayor and the Town Cryer before being joined by a number of Town Councillors and other invited guests. After the official speeches from the French, German and British delegations, everyone tucked into a varied and plentiful cold meat buffet. It was then time to work off the calories dancing to the excellent Higgledy-Piggledy Ceilidh band. A fantastic night!
Saturday was a free day for hosts and their guests to spend as they wished. Thankfully, the good weather held, and a fair number went on an optional morning visit to Tattershall Castle, arranged by two of our stalwart members.
Another optional activity was a Garden Party, generously held at their home by two of our hosts. This was well attended and guests were able to experience homemade scones with jam, clotted cream and copious amounts of tea. A joyous and relaxed get-together.
After a brief rest, it was off to the ever-popular ‘Bring and Share Supper’ at the Riverside Church for even more food, chatting and relaxing.
As always, Sunday came around too soon. After the usual group photo, it was time to bid farewell to our guests with the French coach departing late-morning to catch their ferry. Due to their evening flight, the German group were able to stay for a few hours longer with many enjoying a traditional British roast dinner before they left.
After hosting what was an extremely enjoyable and successful visit, we now look forward to our visits to Marquette-lez-Lille in early-July and to Fredersdorf-Vogelsdorf in late-August 2026.
The Sleaford & District Twinning Association Committee would like to thank the Mayor of Sleaford and the staff at Sleaford Town Hall, Ruth at the Art Shop & Open Studio, the staff at the New Life Centre, the staff at Sleafordian Coaches (especially our driver, Mike) and the staff at Gunby Hall and Tattershall Castle. A special thank you to Steve and Chris and to Carole and Grenville for generously organising the additional activities and to our amazing host families, none of this would have been possible without you!

25/05/2026

Marquette-lez-Lille Students Visit Sleaford

On Tuesday 5 May 2026, members of Sleaford & District Twinning Association were delighted to be invited along to St George's Academy, Sleaford to offer support when the school welcomed 55 French students and their teachers from Sleaford’s Twin Town of Marquette-lez-Lille for an afternoon of activities. The students from St George's Academy and Marquette have been writing to each other over the last 3 years, helping to improve their French and English language skills. This was the first time they had been able to physically meet. No doubt, they had a lot of catching up to do!

09/05/2026

Looking forward to welcoming our German and French guests next week!

16/04/2026

Have you ever thought about twinning? It’s a great way to meet people and make new friends and you don’t need to speak French or German.

How would you like to find out what it’s like. by hosting a French or German guest? They are out for the day on Friday (you can come too for no cost), there’s a Gala Evening on Friday night for host families and guests and a pot luck supper on Saturday.

Thursday 14th May (evening) to Sun 17th May (morning)
Pm to find out more or contact [email protected]

16/03/2026

Don’t forget it’s the AGM tonight at 19.00 at Sleaford Town Hall

03/03/2026

Good Food and Good Company

Saturday 28 February saw us have a very enjoyable lunchtime gathering at The Stables restaurant in Sleaford. We were delighted to be joined by Philipp from our twin town of Fredersdorf, Germany who is currently in Sleaford conducting research for his Masters Degree before proceeding to Finland for further research. We wish him a safe journey and good luck with his studies. Our sincere thanks to the staff at The Stables, for looking after us so well.

Adresse

Plescop

Téléphone

+447770354187

Site Web

http://sleafordtwinning.co.uk/

Notifications

Soyez le premier à savoir et laissez-nous vous envoyer un courriel lorsque Sleaford and District Twinning Association publie des nouvelles et des promotions. Votre adresse e-mail ne sera pas utilisée à d'autres fins, et vous pouvez vous désabonner à tout moment.