Twinning Association
Barrow upon Soar Twinning Association
Barrow Upon Soar is twinned with the French town of Marans in the Charente Maritime of southwest France.
The twinning association aims to foster relations between the two towns and regularly arranges exchange visits. In addition we have regular social events for members and guests throughout the year.
We became part of BUSCA during 2014.
Marans
Marans is the western gateway town to the 'Marais Poitevin', a beautiful, tourist canal and marshland park. In fact it is between this Marais Poitevin marshlands park and the ocean, in the heart of a large inter-regional park. It covers 82.5 square kilometres (32 square miles) and is home to 4,428 inhabitants.
The 'Sèvre Niortaise' River, which divides the town in two, is of major importance to the town. The riverside quays and the town centre port are reminders of the importance of shipping in the town's past. Now that Marans has become more of a maritime and riverboat tourist destination, the port has been developed into a 180-berth marina and the regions 100 kilometres (62 miles) of canals have made it a very popular fishing and nature vacation resort. There are many boat trips to go on and many walking trails discovering a wealth of fauna and flora along the riverbanks. The surrounding area has many cultural attractions and Marans itself has received a national award for its floral decorations.
The Association
The twinning association currently has about 30 families from Barrow and the surrounding areas as members. And we would welcome new members.
* There is no obligation to speak French, join the committee or even go to France to become a member.
* We have a series of social events throughout the year, and in the recent past we have organised:-
- visits to the theatre
- Summer Pimms and Pudds garden party
- regular trips to local pubs and resturants
- walks in the countryside
- 50's and 60's music concert and dance
- skittles evenings
- quiz nights
Forthcoming events
If you want more information on a social event please contact one of the names listed at the bottom of this page.
Our forthcoming events in 2024 are :-
Greyhound Racing - 19th August 2024, evening race meeting at Colwick stadium, Nottingham.
Pétanque Evening - 27th September 2024 at 18.30hrs, Soar Bridge Inn, Barrow upon Soar.
Quiz Night - 8th November 2024, evening event to be held at the Bishop Beveridge Club, Barrow upon Soar, details to follow.
Barrow Christmas Street Market - 30th November 2024, the association will hold a Bottle Stall,
Exchange Visit to Marans, 21st to the 25th June 2024
Please read the feature article published in the Autumn edition of Barrow Voice.
A Blast from the Past!
Humphrey Perkins School Exchange Visits
Information and Pictures from twinning visits
- Our visit to Marans in 2022
- Visit from Marans to Barrow in 2019
- Our visit to Marans in 2018
- Visit from Marans to Barrow in 2017
- Our visit to Marans in 2016
- Visit from Marans to Barrow June 2015
- Our visit to Marans in 2014
- Visit to Marans in October 2012
- Trip to Marans in 2010
- Marans Trip October 2002
Archive of Twinning Documents
Twinning Association Meetings
If you want to join or want more information
Contacts:
Val Gillings (Chairman) Tel: 01509 413227
Helen Duxbury (Secretary) Tel: 01509 552867
