In 1961, the International Union of Local Authorities proposed a link between Abingdon and Bergen-op-Zoom in Holland. Exchanges of school children and young people took place.
In 1970, when the International Friendship estate in South Abingdon was built, one road was called Bergen Avenue. Bergen was an associate town, rather than a twin town, in the towns listed by the Abingdon (Town Friendship) Society in the 1970 Abingdon Directory. In the 1980 directory, Bergen was no longer listed among the associate towns for The Abingdon & District International Friendship Society.
A sign on the International Friendship estate in South Abingdon lists twin towns(T) and associate towns(A).
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP
The roads on this estate
are named after towns
in partnership with
Abingdon
ARGENTAN CLOSE(T). BERGEN AVENUE(A)
COROMANDEL(A). LUCCA DRIVE(T)
SCHONGAU CLOSE(T)
ST NIKLAAS CLOSE(T). VIRGINIA WAY(A)
MAY 1970
For more information about Town Twinning visit Abingdon and District Twin Towns Society. Information about the Bergen association is from the book To the Seventies – Two decades of achievement in Abingdon and District. That book also says that Abingdon became friendly with St Niklaas thanks to Mr Peter Marsh, Headmaster of St Nicolas School. St Niklaas already had links with Colmar, Lucca, and Shongau, and welcomed Abingdon into that European Community.
My brother has recently visited Bergen-op-zoom, to visit the grave of our uncle, a rear gunner in a Lancaster who died at 19 years old.
Please is anyone able to tell me why the open air swimming pool and the children’s splash pool is not open??????
The splash pool is open. The pool is opening for the school holiday – controversial but due to costs. This has been endlessly discussed on social media.
The District Council’s explanation is on their website at https://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/leisure/abbey-meadow-outdoor-pools-future-secured-for-many-more-summers-of-fun/
Bergen was replaced as one of our twin towns by Colmar in Alsace, France. As Abingdon already had a French twin town ( Argentan in Normandy ) Colmar is twinned with the Vale of White Horse but ADTTS – the twinning society – liaises with Colmar and we hosted visitors from Colmar recently for the Jubilee and one of the deputy mayors of Colmar was invited to throw buns. Unfortunately there is not a road in Abingdon named after Colmar.