Lichfield Twinning Weekend
Friday 2 October – Monday 5 October
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Welcome from the Mayor of Lichfield,
Cllr Rosie-Harvey-Coggins
On behalf of Lichfield City Council, I am delighted to welcome you to Lichfield for our Ring Twinning Weekend celebrations.
Lichfield is a cathedral city in Staffordshire, at the heart of England, in the ancient kingdom of Mercia. Renowned for its rich heritage and charming atmosphere, the city is best known for its magnificent three-spired medieval cathedral, one of only a few in the United Kingdom.
The city was the birthplace of Samuel Johnson, compiler of the first authoritative Dictionary of the English Language. Lichfield enjoyed its heyday during the 18th century, when it flourished as a thriving coaching city and centre of intellectual activity. It was home to many notable figures, including Samuel Johnson, David Garrick, Erasmus Darwin and Anna Seward, prompting Johnson to describe it as “a city of philosophers”.
With Roman origins, Lichfield grew in importance throughout the Middle Ages as a significant religious centre. Today, the city successfully combines its historic character with modern shops, markets and cultural attractions, including museums, festivals and events, making it a wonderful place to live, work and visit.
Please find below a copy of the itinerary. A summary of this can be found in your programme in your welcome bag.
I look forward to meeting you during your stay and hope you enjoy your time in our beautiful city.
Weekend ProgrammeFriday Key Events
Welcome Reception
Time: 17:00 – Sainte Foy Reception & Welcome by the Mayor of Lichfield
Time: 20:00 – Limburg Reception & Welcome by the Mayor of Lichfield
Venue: Guildhall, Bore St, Lichfield, WS13 6LU
Coaches will drop guests off on the Market Square, just a short walk from the Guildhall.
Your luggage will be transported separately to the Guildroom.
On arrival, guests will be welcomed with a drink and light refreshments .
During this time, name badges and welcome packs will be distributed, including information about the city, places to visit, and a map.
Guests will then be formally introduced to their host families or, if staying in a hotel, meet their escort.
Following the reception, guests will have free time to settle in.
Saturday Key Events
Business Lunch
INVITATION ONLY
Time: 11:00
Informal discussions will be held over lunch and attended by civic representatives, Twinning Officers and Twinning Association representatives from all three countries.
The event will take place in the Moulton Room at the Guildhall and is by invitation only, with a buffet lunch to follow.
Events in the Guildhall
Time: 10.00 – 16.00
Venue: Guildhall, Bore St, Lichfield, WS13 6LU
See programme for more information.
Twinning Banquet
Coach transport will be provided for visiting delegates & will depart from Lichfield Bus Station(9 Birmingham Road, Lichfield, WS13 6HU) at 6.00pm.
If travelling with your host family by car, ample free parking is available at the venue.
18:30 Reception Welcome
19:30 Friendship Dinner commences
Venue: Tower Suite, Drayton Manor Resort, Drayton Manor Drive, Tamworth, B78 3TW
Sunday Key Events
Twinning Evensong Service
Venue: Lichfield Cathedral, The Close, Lichfield, WS13 7LD
The Mayor of Lichfield, Cllr Rosie Harvey-Coggins warmly invites you to join the Civic Party for the Twinning Evensong Serviceat the Cathedral.
Guests are invited to take their seats by 15:15 for the 15:30 service.
Afterwards, refreshments will be served, followed by the lighting of the Beacon and a toast to Ring Twinning.
Monday Key Events
Sainte Foy
Time: 6:45
Meeting Point: Market Square, Lichfield, WS13 6LH
Sainte-Foy guests to be dropped off by their hosts on the Market Square (WS13 6LH). Guests staying in hotels or who have made their own arrangements for the weekend should also make their way to the Market Square. Coach to depart at 7:00 prompt.
Don’t be late!
Limburg
Time: 7:45
Meeting Point: Market Square, Lichfield, WS13 6LH
Limburg guests to be dropped off by their hosts on the Market Square (WS13 6LH). Guests staying in hotels or who have made their own arrangements for the weekend should also make their way to the Market Square. Coaches to depart at 8:00 prompt.
Don’t be late!
Accommodation Information
Hotels
The George Hotel
12-14 Bird Street, Lichfield, WS13 6PR
Tel: 01543 414822
www.thegeorgelichfield.co.uk
The Cathedral Hotel
62 Beacon Street, Lichfield, WS13 7AR
Tel: 01543 414500
www.cathedralhotellichfield.co.uk
Premier Inn Lichfield City Centre Hotel
Swan Road, Lichfield, WS13 6QZ
Tel: 0333 321 9317
Holiday Inn Express Wall Island
Birmingham Road, Lichfield, WS14 OP
Tel: 0371 902 1545
Key/Emergency Contacts
Civic Phone
+44 7508 946 450
Fire, Police & Medical Emergencies: 999
Medical including dental: 111 (for non-emergencies)
Police: 101 (for non-emergencies)
Lichfield Police Station: 6 Bore Street, Lichfield, WS13 6
Westgate General Doctors Practice
Church St, Lichfield, WS13 6JL
Tel: 01543 416633
https://westgatepractice.co.uk
Samuel Johnson Community Hospital
Trent Valley Road, Lichfield, WS13 6EF
(Minor Injuries)
Tel: 01543 412900
https://www.uhdb.nhs.uk/about-samuel-johnson-community-hospital
Opening hours: 8am – 9pm
Pharmacy Friday & Monday: 9am-5pm
Queen’s Hospital
Belvedere Rd, Burton upon Trent DE13 0RB
01332 340 131
https://www.uhdb.nhs.uk/getting-to-queens-hospital
Pharmacy Friday & Monday: 9am-5pm & Saturday: 9am-12 noon
Map of the City
Lichfield Twinning History
How It Began
When Lichfield District Council established a Tourism Committee in the early 1980s, members including Bob White, Gwyneth Boyle and Diane Broach explored the possibility of finding a twin town for Lichfield.
At the same time, Dr Sigurd van Riesen from Limburg and Henry Laumonier from Sainte Foy-lès-Lyon were both seeking an English twin town and contacted Lichfield in 1983.
Timeline
Early 1980s
Lichfield District Council begins exploring twinning opportunities through its Tourism Committee.
1983
Initial contact is made between Lichfield, Limburg an der Lahn and Sainte Foy-lès-Lyon.
24 March 1987
The Lichfield Twinning Association holds its first meeting and agrees to develop a friendship link with Limburg
November 1991
Lichfield City Council formally approves the ring-twinning arrangement linking all three towns.
February 1992
Representatives and mayors from the three towns meet in Lichfield for the first time.
11 February 1992
Mayor John Wilks announces in the Guildhall that the official twinning agreement will be signed later that year.
25-28 September 1992
Twenty guests from Limburg and twenty guests from Sainte Foy-lès-Lyon visit Lichfield for the long-awaited twinning celebrations.
26 September 1992
Lichfield Mayor Ann Johnson, Limburg Mayor Peter Arnold, and Sainte Foy Mayor Jean Salles sign the Twinning Charter in the historic Guildhall, officially creating the ring twinning between the three communities.
A Lasting Friendship
The twinning agreement established enduring links between the people of Lichfield, Limburg an der Lahn and Sainte Foy-lès-Lyon, encouraging cultural exchange, friendship and international understanding.
Source: Peter Young, Town Clerk, Lichfield City Council (February 1987 to August 2015)