Town twinning not only brings together communities from around the world, but in the case of Ware’s Mayor, it became the start of a two wheeled fundraising adventure.
Cllr Thomas Day was long impressed with the work of East Herts Citizens Advice Bureau, and wanted to look at an innovative way of raising vital funds to support the team that provided valuable advice to local residents, on a range of matters, including housing and employment, to his local constituency.
Ware was twinned in 2001 with Cormeilles-en-Parisis in 2001, with the notion of promoting friendly relations, cross-border projects and a greater cultural understanding of one another.
With an impending twinning pledge re-signing in France, the local council team had an innovative fundraising idea.
“I wanted to travel back from France sustainably, and when one of my colleagues motioned that he would cycle back to Ware, myself and Terry, the Town Clerk, decided we would join and use the opportunity to gain sponsorship for Citizens Advice. I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was a child, so I nervously realised it was going to be a huge challenge for me.”
The four-day bike ride covered 215 miles and began in Cormeilles-en-Parisis, after Councillors and members of the Ware Town Twinning Association attended a ceremony with local dignitaries where the Renewal of the Pledge of Friendship – reaffirming the bond between Ware and its twin town – was re-signed.
Battling through wetness, soreness, French country lanes and poor road surfaces around Brighton, there were times that the team had to stop, due to torrents of rain making the journey impossible, and at one point, they had to relocate, and continue their journey from Croydon.
“It certainly wasn’t how I had envisaged it, there were times when I mused that I would never be dry again, but it was incredibly euphoric passing that finish line. My takeaways from the trip? That you can achieve something great, if you put your mind to it. However, I did have to get off and walk up many hills.”
The trip has inspired Cllr Day to use his bike for more of his day-to-day journeys, including nipping around, juggling his duties between being the Mayor of Ware, and running his local business, French and Day delicatessen, with his partner.
His journey also provided eye opening insight in the distinct differences in infrastructure with our European counterparts.
“As a council, we want to do everything we can to promote cycling to everyone, and making it an inclusive and everyday activity. When we left France, there was a notable difference in attitudes, there were an abundance of cycle lanes and signage, and the drivers were respectful to cyclists. I am aware that there’s still work to be done, but we have a number of initiatives in the works, that I think will challenge that.”
“I also want to look at the way we are all travelling around Ware- and in what aspects we can make shorter journeys in a more sustainable way. I would be interested in businesses engaging more with the e-bike concept, particularly for local deliveries.”
Cllr Day’s bike ride raised both awareness and around £1,800 in vital funds for Citizens Advice East Herts, and he felt that the events of a completely amateur team cycling all the way back from another country, would be a great way to promote cycling to the local community.
There is still time to donate to the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Visit: Terry Philpott is fundraising for Citizens Advice East Herts (justgiving.com)
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