Barga - our Tuscany Twin Town

First Dates - for Getting Acquainted

In late August 2006 the Prestonpans community and its neighbours Cockenzuie, Port Seton and Longniddry, joined together as twins with the Tuscany hilltop town of Barga in Italy. Our Roving Reporter had been despatched there in advance on one of life's toughest assignments, both to see and to believe.

The signing ceremonies took place in Prestonpans during an extended inaugural visit to our communities which involved many groups meeting our Italian twin town's leaders. A comprenehsive report is linked here.

And then in Spring 2007 retiring local Councillor/ East Lothian Provost Pat O'Brien and civic officials led school children from Scotland on their first major visits to Barga. Their experiences were documented at the barga.com website.

[The www.prestoungrange.org website is proud to announce that not only will regular NewsNet items occur here but a permanent Barga Twin Home Page has been created here.
By clicking on the coloured wording above you will link directly thereto.]

Why Barga, delightful town that it is?

The selection of Baraga as our twin had much to do with John Bellany, East Lothians' first ever Freeman and most distinguished living artist, who has spent much of his recent life painting in the Barga hills whilst remaining strongly loyal to his home town of Port Seton. Barga also happens to have very strong Scottish links dating back to the early 20th century when significant migration brought many family members here.

Barga's Jazz Society and Annual Festival

Barga is particularly famed amongst many other attributes for its Jazz Club and its Annual Festival normally in August. And it is hoped that an annual visit by such music lovers can be made each year with Barghini making their way to Scotland for the Three Harbours Festival.

Once again, our reporter has the toughest of assignments in travelling back to Barga again to assess the Jazz Festival in August 2007 from the comfort of the Alpino Hotel.