ALTON residents are being invited to consider a second twinning, with a town in central France. While already successfully twinned with Montecchio Maggiore in Northern Italy, Alton Town Twinning Association (ATTA) has been approached by residents from the French town of Pertuis to ask if local people would like to establish an additional link. While the association would normally go through a consultation process to establish whether Alton wanted a second link, and if so where, the direct approach from Pertuis has led to a decision to fully test the mutual suitability of the proposal. Pertuis is a market town situated in rural Provence just off the north/south A31 and a little north of Aix-en-Provence. It is the most southerly town in the region of the Luberon, part of the Vaucluse and has a hinterland of particularly attractive and relaxing villages, being the part of Provence featured in the Peter Mayle book A Year in Provence. Pertuis has a long history and in common with many communities of the region, much of the central part is still based on the old medieval structure, with many interesting old buildings. "Historic market town" is an appropriate description with a thriving Friday market and regular farmers markets. According to ATTA spokesman David Willoughby, there are many other similarities with Alton as Pertuis increasingly finds itself a desirable place of residence for commuters. The population has roughly doubled over the past 10 years, with commensurate increase in property prices, and local youngsters finding it difficult to get a first step on the property ladder. "As one approaches the town from the south, the industrial/ business areas are first encountered, spread out over quite a wide area. Many of these are relatively new and have contributed to the overall prosperity of the district, but like our business parks, tend to operate outside of the town community." Pertuis already has formal twinning links with Utiel in Spain (west of Valencia), Herborn in Germany (north of Frankfurt), and Este in Italy (about 40k south-east of Montecchio Maggiore). "They are particularly keen to add an English twin as there is recognition that English is now undoubtedly the premier international language and the schools are pushing for an English link. Cultural interests, which have a very high profile, are also keen on participating in the possible new twinning." Following a considerable period of comprehensive preparation, including fact- finding visits to the French town, the ATTA has received the English version of a new brochure which provides "wonderful photographs" and a wealth of information about the Pertuis itself, the surrounding area and its present twinning links. "I am extremely hopeful that with technical support our web-site at http://www.atta.org">www.atta.org will very shortly have an online link to this brochure.," said Mr Willoughby. Andre Borel, mayor of Pertuis, will be among a group of officials visiting Alton from April 20 to 24, to take in the town's Civil War weekend on April 22/23. As a means of ascertaining the level of support in Alton for a French link, a public information meeting will take place at the Crown Hotel in the High Street at 7-45 pm on Friday, March 10 - all welcome.
