The first meeting between a group seeking to forge town twinning links between Elstree and Borehamwood and a town in Israel has taken place.

An advisory group made up of town councillors, the Borehamwood and Elstree Twin Town Association, and representatives from business, sport, and culture held a Zoom discussion earlier this month.

On the other side of the line was Peleg Reshef, who is the international affairs portfolio holder for the municipality of Shoham in central Israel.

The meeting was arranged with the aim of making introductions and highlighting similarities such as population size, sports, culture, leisure, interest in the environment and sustainable transport and social wellbeing.

Thanks were expressed to Cllr Simon Rubner for bringing Shoham to the table when a possible link was suggested, whole fellow town councillors Sandra Parnell and Jeremy Newmark have also been working on the project; the latter recently visited Shoham.

Business initiatives included opportunities of provision for industry placements for young people.  Sporting links would be encouraged between clubs in the town, not only for players but also supporters and social members.

The formal proposal to twin was approved by the town council on September 7. 

Elstree & Borehamwood is currently twinned with Offenburg in Germany and Fontenay-aux-Roses in France.