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[IMAGE ABOVE: David and Margaret Bretherton, Felicia Mirza and Monica Suvaina next to Thame-Sinaia twinning fir tree]

The Oxfordshire town of Thame in England has been twinned with Sinaia, the mountain town  and former Royal Family residence in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains, since 2012.

David Bretherton, former Mayor of Thame and Thame Town Councillor, and Margaret Bretherton accepted an invitation to visit Sinaia to help them celebrate 10 years of the twinning of the two towns. Their visit took place between 23rd and 26th September 2022.

At a reception in the “Carmen Sylva” Cultural Centre in Sinaia there were celebratory speeches from councillors from both towns and presentations of a greetings scroll from Thame and a plaque from Sinaia. David also ceremonially planted a tree of friendship in the Cultural Centre garden.

The event was attended by Felicia Mirza, resident of Sinaia, a long time supporter of the twinning between Thame and Sinaia. Felicia said: “Mr. Vlad Oprea, Mayor of Sinaia, Mr. Marian Panait, City manager, Mrs. Monica Suvaina, manager of “Carmen Sylva” Cultural Centre organized a cultural event which was to be recorded as a memorable moment. Speeches, messages from both Mayors, commemorative plaque, the friendship tree planted symbolically in front of “Carmen Sylva” Cultural Centre were the highlights of the day. The chosen tree, a fir tree, which has deep roots will stand in front of the building and guard our friendship. Fir trees have always been considered old, faithful friends.”

The event was reported on Romania State radio on Friday 30 September.

David and Margaret were entertained all weekend by Felicia and Nicu Mirza, even enjoying a classical music concert at Peles Castle.  They also took a trip into the Bucegi mountains to visit an ancient monastery in a cave at Pestera, a picturesque location near Sinaia.

Thame-Sinaia Friendship Association has always welcomed new members willing to get involved in twinning projects. The Association can be contacted via:

10 years of Thame Sinaia Twinning placque

Author

  • Laura Fellows, Thame.net

    Thame resident Laura Fellows is the owner, main editor and manager of Thame.net. Laura has a personal passion for environmental projects, community work, cooking, reading, gardening and spending time with her family. Laura took on Thame.net and invested heavily in a rebrand and new website in 2021 and puts as much time in as possible around also providing marketing consultancy and training to local and global businesses. She brings together her passions of marketing, being active in the community and supporting local people and businesses to create unique content for Thame.net.

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