1999 marks the 40^th Anniversary of twinning between Rugby and Evreux, France. The original Twinning Charter was signed on 3 May 1959 by the then Mayor Mr Peter Batt on behalf of Rugby and Monsieur Mandle, Mayor of Evreux, on behalf of Evreux. Since then thousands of people from each town have taken part in twinning activities ranging from annual sports events to educational exchanges.

The Borough Council in conjunction with the Rugby-Evreux Twinning Committee and the Sports Twinning Committee have promoted friendship and goodwill between the people of rugby and their friends and partners in Evreux. The future of twinning is promising with the Council pursuing a range of new initiatives including the development of arts, cultural and commercial links between the two towns.

In the 40^th anniversary year, it is Evreux’s turn to host the Inter-Town Sports Twinning Competition and it has invited the Mayor and other Councillors to attend Evreux for the celebrations. However, the anniversary will be marked in Rugby with the planting of a tree by the Mayor, Councillor Mrs Hazel Bell, and the unveiling of a plaque.

The ceremony will take place in Caldecott Park at 10.30am on Saturday 8 May 1999. Freemen of the Borough, Past Mayors, Councillor and representatives of the twinning associations will be present. The public are welcome to attend also. It is hoped that the marking of this anniversary will emphasise the popularity of twinning over the past 40 years, and will look forward to the continuation of this into the new millennium.