Sponsored by
War storm fails to halt Japanese twinning bid
TWINNING bosses say they hope to push ahead with a friendship with a town in Japan despite a heated row.
Coun Barbara MacKenzie, head of the Lytham St Annes Twinning Association, found herself at the centre of a political storm last week after Fylde councillor Barbara Pagett slammed a potential link with the town of Hayashima.
Coun Pagett urged the group to abandon plans to build relations with Japan, because of the events of the Second World War.
The story went national, sparking debate on how much time should be left before learning to forgive and forget.
Coun MacKenzie said the row could have been damaging to the reputation of Lytham and St Annes.
"This has now been picked up in Japan and people over there can't understand what's going on," she said.
"It could make a real stain on our town and have an impact on tourism."
The St Annes town councillor, who visited Japan with her husband and hosted the Mayor of Hyashima on the Fylde, added: "We've not even looked at anything formal on twinning," she said.
"We have just said let's see how an educational link with young people goes. Other links are possible with golf, which is very popular over there, and the arts."
"In this day and age you can't behave in this manner.
"You have to be open to this sort of thing.
Wishing to draw a line under the controversy, Coun MacKenzie pointed out the twinning association was also looking at links with France and Malta, which had not caused a stir.
She said twinning activities were privately funded by members of fundraising events and not taxpayers' cash.
They are not "excuses for an overseas junket" on the taxpayer, she added.
Lytham and St Annes are already twinned with Werne in Germany and the Lytham St Annes Twinning Association is currently looking at becoming listed as a charity.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: West
