Oakham and District Twinning Association

Why is there a twinning association in Oakham?

In 1985 a group of Oakham residents took the first steps towards finding a twin town at a public meeting.

Oakham Town Council approved the establishment of a non-local authority twinning and gave the group its blessing to proceed.

A steering committee was formed, including the late John Aylward and Fred Bellingall, and fellow member Francis Humphreys contacted the British Council for a suggested match as a twin.

From their list the town of Barmstedt, situated roughly 30km north-west of Hamburg in the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein, was chosen as most similar to Oakham.

The local press in Barmstedt published an introductory letter from Oakham.

Professor Egon Tiedje of Hamburg University saw it and was interested as a resident of Barmstedt.

He and his wife Eva had coincidentally stopped in Oakham on holiday the previous year and had thought then it would be a suitable English twin. Professor Tiedje and Francis exchanged letters.

An exploratory visit by three Oakham residents followed and, after further negotiations, the twinning charter between the two towns was formally signed in 1987.

Since the early days many exchange visits have developed among families, school sports groups, concert bands, scouts, footballers and cyclists.

With membership having dwindled, in May 2024 twinning in Oakham was revived with an event in Oakham Castle. This was the result of a working party having been established earlier in the year to try to rebuild the association. It had been decided that the association would be renamed the Oakham and District Twinning Association, to show that local residents living outside the town were welcome to join. The event brought in many new members and much renewed enthusiasm.

Aims of the association

The key aims of the association are:

to promote and foster friendship and understanding between the people of Oakham and District and those of Barmstedt and District in Germany and those of other towns with which the association has and may later form links;

and to encourage visits by individuals and groups to and from linked towns, particularly by children and young people, and the development of personal contacts, and by so doing to broaden the mutual understanding of the cultural, recreational, educational and commercial activities of the linked towns.

About Barmstedt

Barmstedt is a town of around 10,000 inhabitants. Idyllically surrounded by woods and fields, Barmstedt has developed into a charming and bustling little town by the Rantzau Lake. Barmstedt forms the middle point of several villages in the surrounding area. The town is well known for its parks and its variety of shops. If you want to go on a gentle spending spree or just meet up for a chat at the weekly market, Barmstedt is your place.

Barmstedters know how to celebrate. Several times a year the town centre is transformed into an entertainment space. The events organised by local businesspeople, the town and many private individuals attract visitors of all ages. The grain and Christmas markets have a long tradition and are well known outside Barmstedt itself.

No visitor to Barmstedt should miss Rantzau Lake. With its expansive green spaces and numerous leisure facilities, the lake offers relaxation and variety at every time of year: bathing, boat trips, mini-golf, open-air chess, beautiful woodland walks and ice skating in winter.

The old castle prison (now a gallery and café), the museum by the island and the cosy local pubs are a popular excursion point for many visitors from near and far.

Why might I enjoy
becoming a member?

If you like speaking German and wish to improve, twinning can be an excellent way of doing that. Although some members speak little German, that does not stop them from enjoying the exchange. Joining the association provides a great opportunity to make new friends, both with other ‘twinners’ here and with hosts in Oakham. Twinning can open doors to fulfilling new experiences and captivating places.

Many benefits of twinning include travel, language, culture and the experience of living with families and trying new foods: a true way to meet people in their own environment.

Oakham and District Twinning Association

Why are towns twinned?