The City of Chichester has always
had strong international links many of which were established during
the Second World War when the City was surrounded by airfields from
which airmen of many nationalities flew.
It was also the headquarters for General Eisenhower before D-Day.
In the post-war years some links were formalised with the establishment
of town twinning.
The ideals of twinning are expressed in the charter signed with
Chartres in 1959 and held in the Council House to promote and maintain
friendly relations, and to encourage economic, cultural and social
exchanges that may draw the citizens of Chichester and Chartres
closer  together’
Chartres
The cities of Chichester and Chartres have much in common, both
being set within a farming belt, similar distances from their capital
cities, and most notably, possessing between them two of the most
beautiful cathedrals in Northern Europe. For fifty years many exchanges
between the two cities have taken place in many different fields
of activity. The most regular has been between Chichester’s
‘Association of Friends of Chartres’ and their counterpart
the ‘Association des amis des jumelages de Chartres’
but many other sporting and cultural exchanges take place.
 Ravenna
The walled City of Ravenna in Italy, had been twinned with Chartres
since 1957, but only became twinned with Chichester in 1996. Both
Cities have much in common, with histories going back to the Roman
Empire, and being walled towns. Working with its Italian counterpart
‘Amici di Chichester’ and the Chichester City Council
the twinning ‘Association of Friends of Ravenna’ supports
the sporting and cultural exchanges that take place.
For more information on twinning, contact the City Council.
www.chichestercity.gov.uk Tel: 01243 788502
Friendship Towns
Over the years Chichester has had links with many other cities but
these have been of an informal nature. In 2006 the City Council
declared its intention that these links should be recognised by
the designation ‘Friendship Towns’ and drew up a Declaration
of Intent. The key element is that the City Council would act as
a focal point and gateway for towns seeking to develop links with
the City through education, culture, commerce, holiday and recreational
activities. The first friendship agreement was signed in 2006 with
the City of Kursk in the Russian Federation.
Walled Towns Friendship Circle
Since 1991 Chichester City has been a member of the International
Walled Towns Friendship Circle consisting of c.150 towns and provides
a conduit for the discussion of issues of common concerns.
www.walledtowns.com
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