A twinning association marrying the towns of Cowes on the Isle of Wight and Deauville in France has been wound up.
Earlier this year, Island Echo reported that a declining membership could have resulted in the end of the Cowes Deaville Twinning Association after some 56 years. Islanders were warned that membership had reduced so much so that without new members, the Association would cease to exist.
Sadly, the appeal for new members was not successful with only a few enquiries received. At the Annual General Meeting in October, it was decided to close the association due to lack of active members able to form a viable working committee.
Cowes and Deauville are both world class centres for yacht racing and so it is unsurprising that both towns formed a very successful twinning arrangement. However, after 56 years, that twinning looks set to fall apart.
Second home residents not interested then.
Perhaps due to increasing crime and drugs, ‘twin’ it with Bogata; or perhaps wait a while until our Island is filled with countless more by our selfish council.