Town Twinning - Wormhout

Llandudno has been twinned since 1988 with the town of Wormhout situated in Northern France.  The Twinning between the two towns was established to ensure that the events that occurred in 1940 in the lead up to the Dunkirk Evacuation during the Second World War are not forgotten, when German SS soldiers captured up to 100 British Soldiers, including men from Llandudno.  They were taken to a barn, La Plaine au Bois near the towns of Wormhout and Esquelbecq, where on 28th May 1940, 80 of them were massacred.
Today the site of the massacre is maintained as a memorial to those who were killed.  Llandudno Town Council contributes to the maintenance costs of the site.  

The Town Council supports and arranges cultural visits between Llandudno and Wormhout each year to allow interested members of the public to engage in fellowship and friendship with our French counterparts.  Visits to Wormhout from Llandudno include a service at the memorial site as part of the programme in order to allow visitors to pay their respects.

Town Twinning Exchanges

Exchange from Wormhout

Just over 50 people from Wormhout travel to Llandudno for a weekend of hospitality with host families who volunteer to accommodate the French families during their stay.  The visit usually takes place in April with a number of visits in and around Llandudno arranged during the weekend.

This year’s visit took place in April. It was the first visit to Llandudno for the new Mayor and Mayoress of Wormhout, David and Félicie Calcoen.  They were accompanied by French families, dancers from the DBG group, members of Wormhout badminton club, and musicians from the brass band ‘Manicracks’ and their families, visited Llandudno.  Activities arranged during the visit included croquet and bowling sessions at Craig y Don Bowling Club, field craft activities with cadets from the three cadet forces at Blind Veterans Llandudno Centre, a tour underground of Ty Gwyn mine and a visit to Liverpool.
 

The Mayor of Wormhout also laid a wreath at the Llandudno war memorial alongside the Mayor of Llandudnno, to remember those from both countries who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars.

The Mayor of Wormhout, David Calcoen and Greg J T Robbins, Mayor of Llandudno laying wreaths at the Llandudno War Memorial

The Mayors of Llandudno & Wormhout, members of Wormhout Council, President of Wormhout Twinning

Wormhout Football Trip

Usually occurring in May each year, a team of 20 pupils from local primary schools, with their teachers, are invited to compete in the annual Wormhout International Junior Soccer Tournament.  As well as taking part in the tournament, the pupils are able to immerse themselves in the history of the town and the surrounding area.

This year as well as taking part in the football tournament the group visited a chocolate factory where the young people had the chance to make their own chocolate.  They also played against the Wormhout Football 11 in the Royal Artillery trophy football match and visited La Plaine au Bois and the Wormhout cemetery, where wreaths were laid.

On 25th May a service took place at Llandudno war memorial to commemorate the anniversary of the Wormhout massacre on 28th May 1940, with wreaths laid by the Mayor of Llandudno, Cllr Michael Pearce and the Chairman of Llandudno Town Twinning, Cllr Greg J T Robbins.

July Visit to Wormhout

Each July, a visit to Wormhout is arranged to coincide with the Wormhout carnival and music festival, with a group of 55 people from Llandudno participating.  All participants contribute to the cost of the trip.  Accommodation is provided by French host families and the Wormhout Town Council.  Those on the visit are able to learn about the history of Wormhout, paying tribute to those who gave their lives during the Second World War and in particular those who died during the Wormhout massacre in 1940.

A group of 94 took part in the 2024 visit including Brownies from the 12th Llandudno Brownies, members of Stella Maris Badminton Club, and officers and cadets from the Army, Sea and Air Cadet Forces.

During the visit, the Mayor of Llandudno, Cllr Michael Pearce, laid a wreath at ‘La Plaine au Bois’ to commemorate those who gave their lives during the Second World War, with cadets forming a guard of honour at the massacre site.   The Mayor also attended a wreath laying service at Llandudno Alley, alongside the Mayor of Wormhout, Wormhout Councillors and veterans.  Visits arranged, included to the ‘La Plaine au Bois’ Museum and church, in the neighbouring town of Esquelbecque, Wormhout windmill and the Fort des Dunes Museum, in Leffrinckoucke, near Dunkirk, which was built as part of the  
fortifications built by France following their defeat in the Franco-Prussian war and played a significant role in the Second World War.  A wreath was also laid a wreath war memorial in Dunkirk.

The Mayor of Llandudno and the Mayor of Wormhout, David Calcoen laying a wreath at La Plaine au Bois

The Mayor of Llandudno and Wormhout laying wreaths at the Town’s war memorial

The Mayor of Llandudno, Cllr Michael Pearce & Miss Alice, Miss Lilly Cottington

Above, cadets La Plaine au Bois

12th Llandudno Brownies at the Dunkirk Memorial

If you would like to become involved with the work of the Town Twinning Committee by hosting some French visitors and perhaps taking part in one of the annual visits, please contact the Deputy Town Clerk on 01492 879130 or email: deputyclerk@llandudno.gov.uk

TOWN TWINNING – CHAMPÉRY

Llandudno is also twinned with the town of Champéry in Switzerland. The Twinning is administered by the Champéry – Llandudno Twinning Association. A private administrative committee consisting of independent members, members of the Town Council, representatives from local businesses and North Wales Tourism with support from Conwy County Borough Council Officers.
The aims of the Twinning are:

• Trade: To foster trade between the two towns with local business able to explore new markets and share good practice.

• Cultural: Showcase Food & Drink from the regions, learn and understand different cultures leading to long term friendships and explore cultural festivals. Future plans for cultural exchanges for young people.

• Sport: exchanges over many difference sports involving adults and young people leading to long term friendships.

The last twelve months have been very busy for the twinning teams in Llandudno and Champéry with a number of events being carried out and planning for the future.  These events include:

Sep-Dec 2023    

North Wales Running Team take part in the 13k mountain race around Champéry.
Champéry Commune (Council) visited Llandudno.

International Swiss/UK Trade Conference hosted by the Mayor of Llandudno at Venue Cymru.  Attended by the Undersecretary of State for Wales, various MP’s and the Swiss Ambassador to the UK and business representatives from North Wales and the Department of Trade in London, Cardiff.

Llandudno – Champéry Twinning Plaque unveiled at Llandudno Snowsports Centre.

Jan-Aug 2024    

16th Welsh ski Championships held in Champéry. Attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Llandudno, the UK Deputy Ambassador to Switzerland and Welsh MP.

Promotion of Welsh products at the British Embassy Berne VIP event.

Welsh Week Event – Presentation at the Swiss Embassy in London regard the Twinning to VIP’s and MP’s.

Eddie Davies Charity bike ride for Tý Gobaith from Llandudno to Champéry via Wormhout.