The Friends of Tourcoing

The Friends of Tourcoing Association promotes and celebrates the long-standing twinning relationship between Rochdale and its French twin town, Tourcoing. For nearly 70 years, the partnership has fostered friendship, cultural understanding and civic connections, while the Association itself has been bringing people together for more than 60 years.

Open to all residents of Rochdale Borough, the voluntary organisation encourages Franco-British friendship through exchange visits, community events, cultural activities and civic receptions. Working closely with its counterpart organisation, Les Amis de Rochdale in Tourcoing, the Association provides opportunities for family stays, cultural experiences and lasting international friendships.

Members meet regularly, volunteer in the community and support a range of local organisations, including schools, veterans’ groups, Springhill Hospice, Rochdale’s Boules League and the town’s twinning association with Bielefeld. A key priority is engaging younger generations to ensure the partnership continues to flourish.

Visitors to the Association’s exhibition stand can explore the history of the Rochdale-Tourcoing twinning link through photographs, documents, memorabilia and artefacts collected over seven decades. Members will be available to share memories, answer questions and explain how the relationship has evolved.

Timings

Saturday 19 September:

1030-1530

Sunday 20 September:

1030-1400

Location & directions

2 St Mary's Gate, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, OL16 1AP

Directions:

The exhibition will be held in the Parish Church of St Mary in the Baum, Rochdale. On Sunday 20th September there will be a live game of petanque happening in the rear courtyard of the Baum Pub. This will commence at 13:30 and all are welcome to watch this. It is a competition fixture, so unfortuantely you will not be able to join in.

Contact on day:

Nicola Walker

Telephone number:

+447925100025

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Limited free parking is available in the church grounds via a gate accessible from St Mary's Gate. Blue Badge parking is also available on St Mary's Gate. Alternative parking is available in the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre or at Reed Hill car park (OL16 1DX) which is accessed from Hunters Lane. There is also a car park off St Mary's Gate facing the church and visitors can then use the pedestrian crossing to cross the dual carriageway safely.

Additional information

The Church wardens will be on hand on the 19th and 20th of September and will also provide tours and more information about the church. Refreshments will be available on both days and any donations towards the upkeep of the church would be most welcome. There is also an opportunity to watch a petanque match on Sunday 20th at 13:30. This will take place in the courtyard of The Baum Pub opposite the church. As this is a competition fixture, members of the public cannot take part in the match.

Max number of people:

60

Estimated duration:

0 hour(s) 45 minute(s)

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