by Hayley Robinson

After more than 45 years the Sittingbourne and Milton Twinning Association has decided to call it a day.

A lack of interest from youngsters to take part in twinning activities between the town and Ypres, Belgium, prompted the move.

Malcolm Moore, outgoing chairman of the association, says it wasn’t an easy decision.

“Many people in the town have worked hard over the years to foster a strong and enduring relationship with our friends in Ypres,” he said.

“But we have to be realistic. The younger generation does not seem to have the same aspirations as the older generation and we have not been successful in interesting them in twinning activities.

“Towns throughout the UK have experienced the same problem and the Kent Association of Twinning Organisations and even our counterpart organisation in Ypres disappeared several years ago.”

The cost of travel between the two towns was also a factor.

Mr Moore said: “Coach travel between our towns has become very expensive and hampered by EU regulations, and most of our members are now too old to undertake the journey by car.

"I should stress that the association’s decision does not affect the formal twinning agreement between our two towns.

“Sittingbourne and Ypres are still twinned but there will be no organisation to look after the social side of twinning.

“We can only hope that at some point in the future the situation will change and it will be possible to revive the informal relationship.

“In the meantime the many friendships which have been made between the citizens of the two towns will continue and those who can will continue to make their regular visits across the Channel.”

Six local charities will receive £500 each from the remaining funds of the association.