Twinning expansion to be discussed

A potential new town twinning agreement is on the agenda for town councillors as they prepare to deliberate on a proposal to twin with New Harmony, Indiana, USA.

The suggestion, brought forward by the Heritage Hub for Mid Wales (HH4MW), is proposed to mark the 200th anniversary of Robert Owen’s departure from Newtown to New Harmony, where he attempted to establish a utopian community.

A vote on this initiative could set the stage for community discussions, cultural exchanges, and the potential inclusion of the twinning project in Newtown’s upcoming business plan for 2025-2026.

The proposal stems from a unique historical link between the two towns: both Newtown and New Harmony share a connection to social reformer Robert Owen, a Newtown native who sought to create a model society in New Harmony based on principles of cooperation and social equity.

While the existing twinning partnership with Les Herbiers, France, has been a significant local success, the suggestion of another transatlantic partnership raises questions around support, resources, and broader community involvement.

HH4MW suggests that a Newtown-New Harmony twinning arrangement would align with Newtown’s vision to promote tourism, cultural heritage, and international understanding. According to the agenda paper, twinning could offer mutual benefits, from educational and cultural exchanges to economic growth through heritage tourism and business networking.

The tourism-focused aspects of the proposal are of particular interest, as shared tourism projects and coordinated marketing campaigns could draw visitors to both towns. For example, visitors from Indiana may wish to explore Newtown’s medieval heritage, while Newtown residents could be interested in New Harmony’s unique historical experiment in communal living. Additionally, local businesses could benefit from potential international collaborations, particularly in sectors like arts, crafts, and eco-tourism.

Although town twinning agreements are popular in Europe, with Les Herbiers as Newtown’s existing twinned partner town, established in 1999, this proposal differs as it extends beyond the continent.

The council report notes that there are no direct legal powers allowing expenditure on twinning activities. However, there are ample powers to promote tourism, which could justify the initiative as a tourism-driven project.

As it stands, the council’s annual budget currently includes support for the Newtown Twinning Association (NTA) for its activities with Les Herbiers, though extending support for a second twinning arrangement would necessitate new budget considerations.

The NTA, having carefully reviewed the possibility of extending its role, expressed a preference to focus its efforts on the well-established Les Herbiers partnership. However, HH4MW could form a new association or working group to manage potential New Harmony exchanges, providing the required support infrastructure without overstretching existing resources.

The report also notes that there has been no formal community consultation yet, though public opinion will play a critical role in determining the feasibility and level of support for the proposal.

Members will be asked to give moral support to HH4MW to undertake work to demonstrate community support for Newtown twinning with New Harmony and then submit a costed business case.