Both Twinning Associations consider they have been successful in creating links of friendship over the years between individuals and groups in their respective towns. Examples being exchange visits between schools, football teams, basketball players, musicians, table tennis players, scouts, rugby teams, people with learning difficulties, families, young people on work experience and the latest group this year, amateur dramatic performers.
With a view to the future Oakham and Uppingham twinning committees wish to extend the opportunities of European links to all Rutland inhabitants through the Rutland Twinning Group, which offers interested individuals and groups the chance of exchange visits with either Barmstedt in Germany or Caudebec – en – Caux in France together with social events within Rutland.

On Tuesday 14th May 2002, Roy Stephenson, the first chairman of the Rutland Twinning Group, launched the newly formed group at the Rutland County Council offices in Oakham. In attendance were the press, the new mayor of Oakham, a number of local and County councillors and members from both the Oakham and Uppingham Twinning Associations. Roy stated that the formation of the RTG was an important milestone for both Twinning and Rutland. He explained that both Associations, although extremely successful in their own right, now wished to align themselves with Rutland and give everyone in the County the opportunity to become involved in twinning with the country of their choice. Anyone interested in Germany would be directed to the Oakham Association and those preferring France could join the Uppingham Association. Both Associations will remain independent but will work more closely in areas of membership promotion and activities programmes. New ventures will include a joint newsletter, and an entry on Rutnet.

Contact Roy Stephenson on 01572.823816