| 
Alton, Montecchio Maggiore and Pertuis
In 1995 the Mayor of Alton, Councillor Peter Whitmarsh, convened
a meeting of representatives of organisations interested in twinning
Alton with another European town. Details of various towns of the
same size and background as Alton were examined and Montecchio Maggiore
in the Italian province of Veneto was chosen, situated about 10km
west of Vicenza and less than an hour’s drive from Verona,
Venice and Padua. 
Population and history are similar to Alton’s except that
Alton was much concerned with brewing and Montecchio with wine.
Both are now light industrial rather than agricultural. The castles
of Romeo and Juliet, medieval fortresses where Luigi da Porto of
Vicenza set his novel of the romance in 1522, overlook the town.
The castles are now used for summer festivals arranged by the Council
(Comune) of Montecchio.
In 1998 the Twinning Agreement was signed in Montecchio by Alton’s
Mayor, Councillor Pam Bradford, and Montecchio’s Mayor, Senator
Giuseppe Ceccato.
In 2004 a mosaic made in Montecchio was unveiled in Alton’s
new library, to commemorate the link between the two towns. Situated
on the 1st floor, it compliments an adjoining meeting room named
in honour of the Italian town.
The Alton Town Twinning Association (ATTA) was set up to oversee
all twinning activities but, unlike twinning organisations in Europe,
ATTA is an independent organisation largely dependent on members’
subscriptions and fundraising.
In 2004 an approach was made to Alton from the town of Pertuis in
France with a view to twinning. An initial visit by chairman David
Willoughby was followed by successful discussions and reciprocal
visits involving delegates from both towns. A formal Twinning agreement
was signed in Pertuis on 21st October 2006 by the Town Mayor of
Alton, Councillor Dave Crocker and the Mayor of Pertuis, M. Andre
Borel.
Pertuis, like Alton, is a market town and is situated in rural Provence
a few miles north of Aix-en-Provence. It is the most southerly town
in the Luberon region, part of the Vaucluse and the region of Provence
featured in ‘A Year in Provence’ by Peter Maille. Like
Montecchio Maggiore it is a light industrial town and a producer
of wine.
Reciprocal bi-annual visits to Pertuis and Montecchio are organised
annually by ATTA and paid for by participants. As well as these
official visits, ATTA continually promotes and assists other interested
organisations to visit the twin towns. There are opportunities for
exchanges in commerce and industry and in sport also, as well as
for school links and individual visits by young and old. Montecchio
and Pertuis are well placed to provide for artistic and musical
interests, for alpine sports and culture generally and of course
for language study. Many local organisations and groups have already
taken advantage of these opportunities and include Alton Morris,
Eggar’s School, the Alton Wine Association, Alton College
and many individuals.
2008 was a special year for ATTA as it celebrated the 10th anniversary
of the twinning agreement with Montecchio Maggiore. The culmination
of the year’s activities was a marvellous piano recital given
in the Forum of Alton College by Italian maestro, Antonio Camponogara,
who thrilled his audience with a masterly performance.
The aim of ATTA is to initiate, promote, advise and assist visits
and exchanges in all fields where interest is expressed. The purpose
is to put similar organisations and individuals in touch with each
other so that they themselves may directly arrange contacts and
visits. There is great emphasis on involving the young people of
all the twin towns in these exchanges and this is seen as a priority
in persuing these aims. Visitors from Montecchio have included a
company of Scouts with their leaders, a disabled basketball team
in wheelchairs and a study group from the Anna Frank School. Continuing
visits are planned, including a youth rugby team from Pertuis.
All interested in taking advantage of these twinning agreements
should make contact via the website www.atta.org.uk
|
