A Champagne reception for a twin town Ilkeston visit

1 May 2025 11

French flags fly over the entrance to Ilkeston Town Hall, and below, delegates from both towns gather.

The French tricolour flew proudly alongside the Union Flag as guests from the country’s Champagne region visited their twin town in Erewash.

The flags were hoisted at Ilkeston Town Hall as the borough council welcomed the visitors and showed them round.

Dozens of young gymnasts and basketball players made the trip from Châlons-en-Champagne to spend a weekend competing against local athletes.

The basketball players took on Ilkeston Outlaws – while their compatriots were hosted by Erewash Valley Gymnastics Club.

Erewash Borough Council leader, Cllr James Dawson, his deputy Cllr Becca Everett and Deputy Mayor Harry Atkinson were among dignitaries who greeted the visitors at the town hall – where flags displaying crests from each town were also flown.

Châlons-en-Champagne used to be called Châlons-sur-Marne, which is what it was known as when it became Ilkeston’s twin town in 1957. The name was officially changed in 1995.

The twinning association thanked the council for making the French “feel very welcome and special.”

The chair of the local branch said: “It is 68 years since Ilkeston was twinned – and it is absolutely marvellous that the links are still so strong.”