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The Heart of a Peak District Community
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. |
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Walkers can trek along the myriad of tracks, pathways and trails that criss-cross the area. |
Buxton has undergone many physical changes with the building of the Spring Gardens shopping centre, the bypass and the pedestrianization of Spring Gardens itself. Currently, work is being carried out with the help of Millennium funds, to refurbish the Pavilion Gardens. 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 OigniesArchaeological 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. |
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Oignies is set upon wide, flat and fertile plains that form part of this once industrious region of the Pas de Calais. |
| 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. |
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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 |