Town twinning started as a way of building strong community links across European borders following the Second World War.  The belief was that if towns could establish friendly links, crossing political frontiers and cultural divides, then their nations would be less inclined to enter into conflict.

The modern concept of town twinning is to promote cultural, business and educational similarities whilst appreciating their differences across nations and communities, bringing people together, allowing citizens of twinned towns to experience and explore other cultures whilst encouraging economic development and trade opportunities.

Sadly, recent events provide a stark reminder that there remains much to be done to promote tolerance, understanding and friendship between countries and their citizens in Europe.  In this respect twinning and its principles are as relevant now as they were 70 years ago when Preston first became involved in twinning with European towns, relationships that continue to this day.

Preston boasts some of the most enduring twinning relationships in the UK, partly due to a willingness to adapt and change with the times. The Preston Twinning Model now provides a template for the city’s twinning activity in the 2020s and beyond.