MALVERN now has a new twinned town – the Municipality of Korosten in Ukraine, writes May-Ling Turner.
An online Twinning Oath was signed this month between the Mayor of Malvern, Coun Marylin Birks, and Mayor of Korosten, Volodymyr Moskalenko during a virtual video call.
The partnership was the brainchild of Ukrainian and Malvern Hills District Council worker Olha Kraievska. She fled her homeland with other families due to the war and came to Malvern in February 2024.
After making her suggestion, Olha attended a town council meeting to talk about the possibility of twinning between Malvern and Korosten and the idea was given consideration.
12 months of hard work
The Korosten Malvern Twinning Association (KMTA) group formed over the last year with a constitution, bank account and key officers in place.
In November, Malvern Town Council voted unanimously to approve the creation of a twinning agreement with Korosten.
Olha, Homes for Ukraine liaison officer at Malvern Hills District Council and treasurer of the Twinning Committee said: “This is really important to me because this initiative aims to build a long-lasting connection between my native town and my new home of Malvern.”
The official ceremony took place in the Morgan Room in the Council House.
The two mayors were joined by their deputies, the town clerk of Malvern Town Council, officers and councillors from Malvern Hills District Council and members of the new Twinning Group.
Key points
There are two main elements to this new relationship.
A civic relationship between Malvern town council and Korosten city council.
This relationship will include regular correspondence and civic visits.
A community relationship will also be established between residents, businesses and schools.
This will further links between Malvern district, Korosten and Ukraine.
Coun John Gallagher, leader of Malvern Hills District Council, said: “This is an historic moment for Malvern which sends a wonderful message of peace and connectivity
“Twinning with Korosten will create an abundance of opportunities which will only benefit our tourism, economic partnerships, culture, and more.”
He congratulated Olha, Elaine Fraser, Malvern Town Council’s community builder and Malvern Town Council on ‘a fantastic achievement’.
Coun Birks said: “It has been a long journey, but it is significant that we sign a twinning agreement between Malvern Town and Korosten at this time, when Malvern has welcomed and continues to support families from all over the Ukraine.
“Together as part of this agreement, we will build enduring links of friendship, gain knowledge of our cultures and share in best, democratic practice to benefit the lives of all the people living in our towns.”
Email the Korosten Malvern Twinning Association at [email protected] for more information on the twinning.
