Friends of Pontoise visit

Published: 20 May 2023

We had a wonderful visit from Friends of Pontoise on the 20th May, an association based on the twinning of Pontoise in France and Sevenoaks Town here. Formed 59 years ago in 1964, the Friends of Pontoise is an association based in Sevenoaks, Kent, whose membership comes from the town itself and the surrounding villages.

 
(Friends of Pontoise, 2023)

The aim of this twinning is of goodwill and understanding between the two towns, and to encourage visits and learning of either or. In Pontoise, there is a sister organisation, Les Amis de Sevenoaks, representing those residents of Pontoise who foster the same ideals of cross-channel fellowship. Over the years we have had plenty of fun and some warm and lasting friendships have developed between the two communities.

During their visit, Friends of Pontoise visited our Station to learn about the renovation work, Thomas Crampton, painter Samuel Palmer, and author of the Railway Children Edith Nesbit. Although the visit was quite short, Sarah Newman from Darent Valley Community Rail Partnership presented the Station on our behalf in French, speaking of the importance of the partnership with the local Darent Valley train line and what the history has to offer. The visit went very well, and many left with new knowledge of our Bat & Ball Station!

 

 

 

 If you'd like to find out more about Friends of Pontoise, please visit their website here.