Battle in England is twinned with St Valery our Somme in France.
William, Duke of Normandy, left St Valery sur Somme in September 1066 to contest the crown of England with Harold. The armies fought around Senlac Hill where the Normans defeated the Saxons on 14th October 1066.
In 1966 leading up to the celebrations for the 900th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, St Valery sur Somme approached Battle with the proposal of making a link between our two towns. A small group of residents, led by the Chairman of Battle and District Council, visited St Valery sur Somme to attend a grand ceremony where a monument was unveiled, commemorating the departure of William for the conquest of England. The group returned to Battle with the first Twinning documents, and so began the long and strong friendship that has existed between us ever since.
St Valery sur Somme is a town of about 3,000 inhabitants, situated on the southern banks of the Bay of the Somme in the region of Picardy. Its history dates from the seventh century when its patron, St Valery, settled there and later an abbey was built. Over the ages a walled medieval town grew. It is now beautifully restored with ramparts, fortified gateways, beamed houses and stunning views from its heights over the Bay. Its main activity was as a port for salt and fishing. During the first World Ward it was used as a port to supply the frontline further east along the river Somme. Today the lanes of the town are lined with flowers at the base of old stone walls and it is a popular destination for water sports, bird watching and seal spotting.
In the early years of our twinning there were many exchanges between the two High Schools, with students staying in each other’s homes, attending classes together and visiting surrounding sites. Regular visits between residents started in 1978, and this has grown strongly ever since.
We have taken part in each other’s Fete Guillaume and Bonfire night. We have arranged photo displays in our tourist offices, and mounted exhibitions of textiles. We have also sold homemade English marmalade, Christmas puddings, cakes and decorations at St Valery sur Somme’s Christmas markets.
A choir from St Valery sur Somme has twice given concerts in Battle. Based on our long term link both towns have benefitted from European funding for local projects, such as transforming the car park in front of the Abbey into an open space for all to enjoy.
Our Battle Twinning Association arranges a programme of events with a French theme throughout the year, as well as visiting each other to stay in our homes.