Trowbridge mayor wants to twin town with a Ukrainian city

Trowbridge mayor Stephen Cooper is exploring the prospects of twinning the town with the small city of Kostopil in the Rivne Oblast of western Ukraine, which has a population of just over 30,800.

The proposal follows the influx of a ‘strong and vibrant’ community of Ukrainian women and children who fled to the UK to escape the Russian invasion of their country.

Cllr Cooper says a twinning agreement between Trowbridge and a Ukrainian town or city would be a “hugely symbolic” gesture of support.

The small city of Kostopil in western Ukraine has a population of just over 30,800 people. (Image: Wikipedia)

He will have to wait for the go-ahead from Trowbridge Town Council before he can formally start official twinning discussions, but the unofficial feedback from the City Council in Kostopil is very positive, he said.

The town council will consider his request to start formal discussions and “negotiation” of a prospective Twinning Charter when it meets in the Civic Centre on Tuesday, September 17.

“Assuming this is approved, and I can’t think of any valid reason to refuse it, I’ll return to the full council with a draft charter that will be considered for ratification before, assuming Kostopil also approves it, being signed by both councils sometime in the new year,” he said.

Kostopil is located in the Rivne Oblast region of western Ukraine. (Image: Wikipedia)

Cllr Cooper says he’s not asking for any increase in the town’s current twinning budget and wants to form a link with a Ukrainian town or city for two main reasons.

“Firstly, we have a strong and vibrant community of Ukrainians living with us here in Trowbridge. Most of these folk came here in the immediate aftermath of Russia’s invasion of their homeland.

“Most of them hoped and prayed that they’d have been able to return home before now. All of them dream of a time when their homeland is at peace and free of Russian attack and aggression.

“They need to know that we don’t just welcome them to our town, but we also understand their heartache and want to show this in some tangible way. That reason gets more profound, and to my mind urgent, as each day passes. 

“Secondly, I think it’s important that we send a message to the people of a community in a town much like ours in Ukraine itself.

“They need to know that there are still people, not governments, real people living in real communities like theirs, that feel for them and want to send a message of friendship and solidarity.”