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The purpose of the Association is to promote and foster friendship with the twinned areas, both personal and through organisations.

Horsham District Council twinned with St Maixent L’Ecole in France in 1982 and with Lage in Germany in 1985.

The District Council provides a grant to the Association which was formed in 1981.The Association is managed on a voluntary basis and is responsible for organising twinning activities.

French and German clubs have been established in Horsham town for many years. They meet monthly from September to May on the second and third Fridays of each month respectively.

St Maixent L’Ecole

St Maixent L'Ecole is in the “ le Haut Val de Sevre “ region of western France, about 15 miles distant from Niort and 40miles from La Rochelle. It is a pleasant town with a history reaching back to the fifth century. Much of the property in the town today was built in the period from 15th century to the early 19th century. The very fine Abbey dominates the skyline.

St Maixent offers:

• Wine - Halfway between the Loire Valley and the great region of Bordeaux, but right next to Cognac.
• Cheese - Speciality is goats cheese.
• Military Academy
• Ancient Abbey
• Proximity - La Rochelle and the Isle de Rhe (Three Musketeers Land)

LAGE

Lage lies in the region of Lippe in northern Germany. It is near to Detmold and about 60 miles south west of Hanover. The Teutoburger forest provides a picturesque backdrop to the pleasant town and the surrounding villages that have grown up from farming settlements over many centuries. On the top of the hills, the huge 19th century monument to Hermann, who repelled the Roman invasion over two thousand years ago, is distinct from around the whole area.

Lage offers:

• Beautiful countryside and forests
• Proximity - Elegant Bad Salzuflen, ancient town of Hameln( Pied piper fame), historic Detmold, and Hanover, the capital of lower Saxony and with strong links to our Royal family.
• Attractive Inns with Good Beer and Food

 Website Address: http://www.lage.de/

Both towns and their surrounding areas offer many attractive features and places to visit and especially a warm welcome to visitors from Horsham.

Over the past years many exchanges have taken place between our:
Schools
Sports Clubs
Churches/Choirs
Music Groups
Adult Education
And Members of the Twinning Association on arranged trips.

The French Club meets on the second Friday of each month in the Roffey Millenium Hall, Crawley Road, Horsham. Meetings begin at 8pm.

The German Club meets at the Park Barn, North Street, Horsham, (opposite The Capitol), normally on the third Friday of each month from September to May. Meetings start at 8.00pm.

If you would like further information, please contact;
French Club: Elyane Dale - (01403) 257393
German Club: Caroline Ingham - (01403) 270084
Membership: George Carsten - (01403) 265614
Other Information: Roy Bayliss - (01403) 262262

All are welcome to join the Association and to take part in the visits and social activities that take place during the year. There is no need to speak either French or German to join a visit nor is there any obligation to offer accommodation to visitors from the twin towns.

The one-off membership subscription is £5 for an individual or £10 for a family and application forms can be obtained from Mr George Carsten, 8 Fairview, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 2PY, telephone (01403) 265614.