30 November 2006
The Worshipful the Mayor of Eastbourne, Councillor Colin Belsey, has sent a formal letter of congratulations in honour of the town of Eastbourne in New Zealand marking 100 years.
The Borough of Eastbourne was established by an act of the New Zealand Parliament in 1906.
The Mayor of Eastbourne, Colin Belsey, says, “It is an honour to be the Mayor of Eastbourne as the Town that shares the name many thousands of miles away celebrates 100 years since it was established. It would be really nice to visit our namesake one day.”
The two towns with the same name are on different sides of the world, with Eastbourne in New Zealand being 13 hours ahead of us.
Eastbourne, New Zealand, took its name from Eastbourne in the UK and it was the council of Eastbourne (UK) which presented Eastbourne (NZ) with a Mayoral Chair that now sits in the Council Chambers in Lower Hutt.
Eastbourne, New Zealand, is south of the North Island and is part of Hutt City. Being a harbour town, similar to ours, it has frequent sailings to the capital Wellington.
On Saturday in Eastbourne, New Zealand, celebrations will take place with a street party for residents of the town.
The Mayor of Eastbourne, UK will link up via Skpye (an internet video conferencing connection) to congratulate Eastbourne on its anniversary.
