| |
Buxton's French Twin Town
|
|
Birth of the Twin Towns...
In 1965, when three Buxton members of the
British Legion returned to Oignies [ pronounced Wanee ] to
pay tribute to six comrades who fell during WW2, they were
officially entertained at Oignies' Town Hall, and took part
in the annual commemoration ceremony on the 28th of May.
From that meeting with the town's officials, there was born
the idea that the Oignies orchestra should perform at the
annual Buxton festival of music.
The group which includes the Mayor and Mayoress of Oignies,
members of Oignies' Town Council, their relatives and friends
and members of the orchestra, set out for Buxton in two motor
coaches.
Those who made the trip will never forget the manner in which
Oignies was entertained by Buxton.
Every member of the party was very well received by their
respective hosts, and it was from this reception that bonds
of friendship have arisen which will not be easily broken.
From this visit, the first steps towards twinning was
born...
This became a reality for the two towns on April 18th
1967.
More recently
|
Turner's Memorial and Spring Gardens beyond
Walkers can trek along the myriad
of tracks, pathways and trails that criss-cross the
area.
The naturalist is also well catered for, bird
watchers can enjoy the sight and sounds of the
Curlew, Lapwing, Grouse, Heron, Kingfisher, Dipper
and a host of other interesting birds that frequent
the hills, dales and moorland that surround
Buxton.
|
Buxton has undergone many physical changes with the
building of the Spring Gardens shopping centre, the
bypass and the pedestrianization of Spring Gardens
itself.
Buxton now attracts visitors from all over the world.
They come to admire Buxton's wonderful Georgian and
Victorian architecture, sample cream teas or evening
meals at one of the many restaurants, cafes, and
hotels within the town.
They come and enjoy many of the lovely walks to be
had around the town, or just stroll through the
Pavilion Gardens and visit the Conservatory with its
many beautiful tropical and native plants and
flowers.
For visitors who enjoy specialist hobbies and
interests, they will find much to offer them in and
around the town.
|
The town of
Oignies
Archaeological finds of Roman pottery and coins have
brought about the thought that the earliest
beginnings of Oignies, lay at around the time the
Romans began to conquer Europe.
Over the centuries, the town has grown very little,
the area in general being made up of many small towns
of similar size. A few of which are Libercourt,
Phalempin, Carvin, Courrières, Pont-à-Vendin...
Oignies itself has been victim of many raids in its
historical past, which so often devastated the area.
During 1842, by lucky chance, the vast coal seam of
the Pas De Calais was located in the ground of the
Chateau of Madame de Clercq.
This most important discovery was to guarantee the
prosperity of the whole district of Bethune, and
especially of the area around Carvin. Unfortunately,
once again the town of Oignies suffered greatly
during both World Wars. The conflict over, peace and
prosperity returned to the area.
After some consideration and in the spirit of
friendship, it was decided during 1967 to bring
together the French town of Oignies, in the Pas de
Calais, and the English town of Buxton in Derbyshire,
in a twinning ceremony as a remembrance to those who
fell as comrades during the second world war.
Oignies is pronounced "Wanee".
|
Oignies Town Hall
|
 
Café de la Paix, Oignies and "Buxton Oignies Twinning
Book"
|
|
French Park : Oignies - Hautois
|
Oignies is
set upon wide, flat and fertile plains that form part of this
once industrious region of the Pas de Calais.
This farmland is broken here and there by woodland areas and
curious conical hills (Terrils) left as a reminder of its
coal mining days.
The landscape also features a very extensive, wide and
picturesque canal system.
This is still used today by people who live and ply their
trade along these waterways.
|
Although
Oignies is not in a tourist area, the town can offer the
visitor many very pleasant walks, with the opportunity to see
classic French architecture that spans many centuries, and to
sample the traditional French way of life. In fact, like
Buxton, Oignies also dates its existence from the Roman
occupation.
One of the attractions of Oignies is the Park Du Hautois.
Its lakes offer peace and tranquillity to those who enjoy a
leisurely walk around them, whilst fishermen sit back and
take advantage in pitting their wits against the prey they
seek.
|
French Mine : Oignies |
The woodland is
home to many species of beautiful wild flowers including, Solomon's
Seal, Yellow Archangel and Lily Of The Valley.
For the inhabitants, and their day to day shopping, there is a good
market on Tuesday mornings. And, some 20 kms distant, there is the
beautiful city of Lille,
which offers a great variety of street cafés, shops, markets, cinemas
and its famous Euralille, built as a result of the Channel Tunnel
connection with England.
French canal : Courrières
|
For those contemplating a visit to Oignies,
information regarding the availability of accommodation in
the area, can be obtained from the information officer at the
Town Hall :
Mairie de Oignies
Place de la République
62 590 Oignies
Website :
www.oignies.fr
|
Disclaimer: Whilst every endeavour is made to
ensure the accuracy of the information displayed on this website, the
owners cannot be held responsible for any mistakes found
therein.
Website designed and maintained by Buxton Online
|
|
