Hay twinning wins UN praise

3:15pm Saturday 9th August 2008

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A BORDER community has won an international award for its thriving partnership with an African city.

An award scheme supported by the United Nations has praised Hay-on-Wye for its work with Timbuktu.

The 2007 twinning has reduced poverty in the remote Mali settlement, while improving education, trade, and community links.

But the initiative’s success has also impressed the Welsh and international community, who rewarded the pair at the National Eisteddfod.

Michael Eccles, director of Jump4Timbuktu.org, received a Gold Star Community Award on behalf of both communities last week.

First Minister of Wales, Rhodri Morgan, who presented the award, said the initiative had “captured the imagination of the nation”.

He also praised the pair for their attitude towards peace, prosperity and understanding