Frosty response to town twinning plans
One is a town in Mid Wales that sells itself to tourists coming over the border from Shropshire and the rest of England as "the place where Wales begins".
The other is a small town in Ontario that is near to Lake Erie and home to Canada's largest ice cream plant, extensive parks, parks and a new Toyotetsu auto parts plant.
You'd probably think that Simcoe and Welshpool have very little in common - and it seems that you'd be absolutely right.
For plans to twin the Welsh and Canadian towns - which are separated by a distance of 3,469 miles - have been dropped for the time being because of a lack of interest.
Welshpool Town Council had hoped to twin their town with Simcoe and had made contact with civic leaders over in Canada about the idea.
But Robert Robinson, town clerk, said the interest from the Canadian town had gone cooler than the Canadian winter.
He said: "The town council decided to try and twin with Simcoe in Canada where there are already connections via the Rotary youth exchange programme which takes place each year.
"An approach was made to Simcoe and there appeared to be some interest at first.
"However, any interest there was has now waned and I am not getting any response in recent months."
Mr Robinson said suggestions have been made to twin Welshpool with somewhere in the UK - or with a town in Japan.
"The town council did receive an approach some time ago from a town south west of Troyes in France," he added.
"Apart from the main shopping street looking similar to Welshpool there is nothing else suggesting the two towns had anything in common.
"The town council at that time decided such a twinning was not for them."
He added: "The town council could take the view that there is neither need nor any reason to twin with any town.
"Wales is part of the United Kingdom and the council could decide to host an event with three towns (one in England, one in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland) linking the UK together through twinning.
"Travel to such places is reasonable and each town could be asked to host a 'competition' each fourth year.
"There is one other link abroad locally which is where the Guilsfield Guides do an exchange with Japan. This country is a long way away so any relationship would be via internet, newsletters and perhaps a reception when the Japanese Guides attend Wales."
Councillors are expected to discuss the issue further in the coming weeks.
Plans to twin a town in Mid Wales with one in Canada have been shelved because a lack of interest.
Welshpool Town Council had hoped to twin the town with Simcoe, Ontario, and had made contact with civic leaders about a link-up.
But Robert Robinson, town clerk, said the interest from the Canadian town had cooled, with no contact being received in recent months.
But Mr Robinson said further suggestions have been made including twinning with somewhere in the UK - or with a town in Japan.
He said: "The town council decided to try and twin with Simcoe in Canada where there are already connections via the Rotary youth exchange programme which takes place each year.
"An approach was made to Simcoe and there appeared to be some interest at first.
"However, any interest there was has now waned and I am not getting any response in recent months.
"The town council did receive an approach some time ago from a town south west of Troyes in France. Apart from the main shopping street looking similar to Welshpool there is nothing else suggesting the two towns had anything in common.
"The Town Council at that time decided such a twinning was not for them."
He added: "The town council could take the view that there is neither need nor any reason to twin with any town.
"Wales is part of the United Kingdom and the council could decide to host an event with three towns (one in England, one in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland) linking the UK together through twinning.
"Travel to such places is reasonable and each town could be asked to host a 'competition' each fourth year.
"There is one other link abroad locally which is where the Guilsfield Guides do an exchange with Japan. This country is a long way away so any relationship would be via internet, newsletters and perhaps a reception when the Japanese Guides attend Wales."
Councillors are expected to discuss the issue further in the coming weeks.
