Southwell Town Council agrees to attempt to re-establish connection with Czech Republic twin town Český Brod

A former town twinning association could be revived after the link was hailed as ‘important’.

Southwell has had a long association with Český Brod, a town in the centre of the Czechia, with a population of around 7,000.

At a full council meeting of Southwell Town Council, Lynn Harris explained the association was formed in 1990, at the fall of the Soviet Bloc, to support the country as it moved a more Western European culture.

A successful partnership over the course of the twinning association saw scouts from each of the two towns visit the other.

When the Czechia – formerly the Czech Republic – joined the EU, the council heard, it was felt the job was done.

“Český Brod appreciated it,” Lynn added.

“We also appreciated Český Brod. We got a lot out of the twinning.”

Despite attempts to reconnect with the council in Český Brod, Southwell has not yet got any response.

Jamie Bostock said: “I think it is really important that we continue twinning.

“When I was a young person I went to Sées (a French town twinned with Southwell). There’s also a number of Czech people in Southwell and I’ve enjoyed learning about their culture — why cut that off.”

Councillors have agreed to try and re-establish the connection once again.

It was also suggested that leftover money from when the association was dissolved be used to fund a fountain or other feature which would showcase the two towns’ link.