Friendship Circle for Towns

Friday, 30 May 2025 12:08

By Martin Webber

Tonbridge and the German town of Heusenstamm are celebrating 40 years of being twin towns.

Our reporter Marion Westram has been finding out about the Tonbridge Heusenstamm Friendship Circle and why maintaining links between the two towns is so important.

Both towns have a castle and a river running through them, as well as a station and a long high street.

The Judd School in Tonbridge has a long established exchange scheme with Heusenstamm.

Marion has been talking to James Lark, who's Chair of the Heusenstamm Friendship Circle and you can listen to the interview here:

James Lark is pictured below right in April 2025 as he took over the Chair of the Friendship Circle from David Packer (below left), who had steered the organisation for nearly 30 years.

James Lark told West Kent Radio: "We are very keen to get people together to enjoy the spirit of friendship."

He says: "Social media is the great conversation killer of all time. I think the actual physical meeting of people...debating ideas is vital. My mission is to...have lots of events and increase the participation between the two towns."

James Lark continues: "If people are on a trip in Germany, we can always arrange an introduction and the Heusenstamm Friendship Circle in Heusenstammm would be more than happy to help and assist and show you around."

Heusenstamm's castle is pictured below:

After the storm of 1987, the people of Heusenstamm donated 400 saplings which have since turned into the Heusenstamm Friendship Wood in Tonbridge.

James Lark concludes: "We have an ageing membership and we would love some younger folk to come along. We must expand, otherwise twinning will die. We are a friendly happy bunch and we look forward to hearing from you".

Heusenstamm's Website and Facebook links are below:

https://www.heusenstammfriendshipcircle.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068228171908