TABALINK is an English / Romanian Twinning Association promoting the sharing of friendship, interests and cultures. Our aim is to promote a real, two-way, linking of equals.

So Far

How did TABALINK start?

Winter of 1995 - a chance meeting starts it all off!

It was on a visit as part of a European project (organised through a national adult education, NIACE and their German partner, DVV), that a Tansley resident, Alison Ledbury first met Mr Valeriu Nani (the local 'Adult Educator / Community Worker who runs the Cultural Centre, Babadag) in Bucharest. He expressed the desire for a friendship link with a group in England. On returning to England, Alison talked this through with her husband who already had the hope that his village could form a twinning link with another community. Very soon a video was received from Babadag showing places of interest, examples of traditional dancing and introducing a few of those who lived there. Interest began to develop in the Tansley area.

Winter of 1996 - Two village Open Meetings were called, at which the ideas of a twinning link were discussed, and the focus agreed as promoting Friendship; a package was sent to Babadag from a wide range of the clubs and groups run in Tansley: signatures and photographs / artwork being included from - individuals, together with:

• both Church congregations, plus their children's and Youth groups
• the Brownies and Rainbows (these being 'junior Guides') Groups
• the Mother & Toddlers Group, the Pre-school and Primary School
• the Drama Group and the Ladies Group and
• the Red Cross Senior Members' Group

Many thanks to DHL for carrying this Greetings Parcel free of charge.

For extracts from this package will be available here soon.

Since 1996, a group of enthusiasts have been working towards a twinning link between Eastern Romania and Derbyshire, England. Our initial contact was Mr Valeriu Nani, the local 'Adult Educator/Community Worker' in the town of Babadag

Summer of 1997, a family group visited Babadag and other parts of Romania where they were immediately accepted as both friends and honoured guests. They visited points of interest in and around the town including the hillside sculpture park & the Disco, enjoyed a performance of local folk dancing and other activities in the 'Cultural Centre' and were interviewed for a cable tv transmission into the town.

"Babadag - Where?", written by a member of this group shortly after returning from this trip, is available here.

January 1998, Mr Nani came to visit Tansley, visiting homes, Churches and other community buildings as well as local farms and commercial enterprises. He also visited pre-school groups, primary/secondary schools; and at two village events, he was entertained by the people of Tansley and beyond, including the Winster Morris Men.

March 1998, an open meeting was held at which TABALINK was constitutionally established.

April 1999, a group of 30 people from the District of Tulcea visited; staying in the homes of those in Tansley and in a Matlock Church Hall. The party were welcomed by the District Council and our local government structure explained. One day was devoted to considering aspects of Business and Commerce; one for a Dance Tour of Derbyshire. A variety of trips provided opportunities for meeting those in Schools, local Industry and Farming.; and to experience Derbyshire Folk Dancing. Our visitors invited us to celebrate their Easter Sunday, with a lavish meal, cooked according to their own tradition.

A report from this visit is available here.

In the Summer of 1999, members of three families paid a private visit to Babadag, Tulcea town and Constanta, again being hosted by their new friends

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