Limavady Twinning Association calls on public to help mark 30 years of twinning milestone

September 2026 will see Limavady celebrate its 30th anniversary of the Twinning Agreement with Vigneux-sur-Seine and the Limavady Twinning Association is appealing to the public for photographs which capture the story of this special connection over the years.

The town will mark 30 years since the official signing of the agreement with its French twin on September 7 2026, and a programme of celebratory events is currently being planned to commemorate the milestone.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, the Association hopes to stage an exhibition showcasing photographs from three decades of twinning activities.

Local residents are being encouraged to search through their collections and share any images from past visits to Vigneux-sur-Seine or from occasions when Limavady hosted visitors from the French town.

Jim Quigg, Chairperson of the Limavady Twinning Association, described the plans to mark this significant milestone in the long-standing relationship between Limavady and Vigneux-sur-Seine:

“This year, it is the thirtieth anniversary of twinning, being involved with Vigneux.

“The agreement was signed in the Drummond Hotel on 7^th September 1996 and signed in Vigneux on 12^th September.

“The anniversary celebrations will run from 14^th September this year and we will have a gala dinner on 26^th September.

“Our French visitors will come here first, as per the original signing, we have extended an invitation to the Mayor’s office, the Twinning office, the firefighters, a rugby group and some musicians to visit from Thursday 24^th to Sunday 27^th September.

“As well as that, we are hoping that the Chamber of Trade and the shops will decorate their windows in a French theme.

“It is also planned to hold a competition for the schools, called ‘A Tale of Two Towns’, with a choice of designing a poster which we will print or a poetry competition.”

In preparation for the celebrations, the Twinning Association is appealing to the public for photographs that Limavady residents may have from past visits to or of visitors from Vigneux-sur-Seine.

Jim explained the reasons behind this request to the community:

“Anyone who has been involved with twinning over the years, either in Limavady or in Vigneux, get in touch if they have any photographs which they would like to share for this occasion.

“We would like to do a photographic display in the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, which we will be running for the same period of celebrations from 14^th to 26^th September for members of the public to view.

“The schools’ submissions will also be displayed in the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre and in Tesco and Lidl hopefully.

“On Saturday 26^th September, the Mayors will judge both the best dressed window and the best picture in the competition with a later presentation.”

Jim said that photographs can be dropped off at either The Yellow Bird Café, Café Steinbeck, or the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre.

He also encouraged anyone interested in becoming more involved in the anniversary celebrations to contact members of the Twinning Association via their Facebook page or by attending one of their monthly meetings.

The Twinning Association meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 5.30pm, alternating between The Yellow Bird and Café Steinbeck.

Although tickets are not yet on sale, Jim urged members of the community to mark Saturday September 26 in their diaries for the Gala Dinner celebrations.

He shared that plans for the evening are moving ahead and promised plenty of entertainment to look forward to at the event, including performances by musicians, singers, and Irish and Scottish dancers.

Limavady is twinned with both Vigneux-sur-Seine in France and Westport in Ireland, and the Limavady Twinning Committee works to maintain these links through a programme of regular events and activities.

The committee meets monthly to help organise visits and exchanges, welcoming sporting clubs, dancers, and community groups of all kinds.

Further information about the association and its activities, including news, events, and opportunities to get involved, can be found on their Facebook group.