Town Twinning

Helston has been twinned with Sasso Marconi since 1968, and a very strong relationship has developed between the two towns.

Guglielmo Marconi was born in Bologna, Italy, on April 25, 1874. Taking a keen interest in physical and electrical science he studied the works of Maxwell, Hertz, Righi, Lodge and others. In 1895 he began laboratory experiments at his father's country estate at Pontecchio where he succeeded in sending wireless signals over a distance of one and a half miles.

In 1900 he took out his famous patent No. 7777 for "tuned or syntonic telegraphy" and, on an historic day in December 1901, determined to prove that wireless waves were not affected by the curvature of the Earth, he used his system for transmitting the first wireless signals across the Atlantic between Poldhu, Cornwall, and St. John's, Newfoundland, a distance of 2100 miles.

Extracts from one school girl's testimony:

In March 2007, I went to Sasso Marconi for an exchange and stayed with an Italian Family: this gave me a unique insight into their lives....in May 2007 Italian children came to Helston...they were virtually legendary at Helston Community College.

I hope that the meeting of these people and the friendships that have been made, will mark the beginning of many more happy exchanges to come...I definitely want to be part of it...Gemma Rollett

The Annual Renato Giorgi Poetry Competition was founded by Anna Giorgi in honour of her husband ten years after his death. A gifted writer and one time mayor of Sasso Marconi, Renato Giorgi fought with the partisans in the Second World War to rid Italy of the Nazi invaders and the Fascist dictatorship.

The competition is run by Voci Della Luna Cultural Circle in Italy and is open to all Residents in Cornwall. The prize giving is held in Helston's Guildhall, and Representatives from Sasso Marconi Twinning Association and Voci Della Luna Cultural Circle attend. For more information please contact the email address below.

Helston and District Town Twinning Association's mission for the future is to bring all like minded people together, breaking down cultural boundaries and creating lasting friendships.

You may ask yourself "what can the twinning association do for me?"

The Association are constantly on the look out for people who can offer refreshing and new aspects to the world of twinning, therefore they asks "what can you do for the twinning association?"

  • Would you like to visit Sasso Marconi and discover the Italian way of life?
  • Could you accommodate Italian visitors when they visit Helston?
  • Would you like to help with fund raising and participate in social events?
  • Do you have a hobby or interest that could be shared with the people of Sasso Marconi?

If you have said 'yes' to any of these questions, why not broaden your horizons?

hdtta@hotmail.co.uk
www.helstontwinning.org

Helston has been twinned with Sasso Marconi, Italy since 1968. More details of events and activities can be found on the Helston & District Town Twinning Association web site at http://www.helstontwinning.org.