Perth could be twinned with Disney’s Florida resort

Nov 24 2009 by Alison Lowson, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

AN AMBITIOUS Perth man has launched a campaign which could result in the Fair City being twinned with the world-famous Walt Disney resort in Florida.

The renowned theme park recently started an online petition encouraging participants to take photographs and videos of their favourite local landmarks.

Organisers say the most impressive entry will result in its subject linking up with the home of Mickey Mouse for a Disney-themed party in January.

The Perth entry, submitted to the entertainment group’s website by a local resident using the moniker “Alan”, shows an aerial view of St Matthew’s Church and the River Tay.

Alongside the entry, he writes: “Perth is a beautiful town, steeped in history and culture.

“It is about to start a year-long party to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Burgh Charter to Perth by King William the Lion of Scotland, in 1210.”

Hugh Wood, of Disney Destinations International, said: “Britain has an established tradition of twinned towns and co-operation with its European counterparts, and this is an incredible opportunity to be the UK’s first town to be twinned with Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

“We believe it’s time to recognise the great values that make UK towns and villages special and, with so many guests visiting Walt Disney World every year from this country, we felt this was the perfect way to allow the British public to nominate the places they are proud of.”

Any agreement between Disney and the Fair City, however unlikely, would mean following in the footsteps of Perth’s existing twinning agreements with Cognac, Aschaffenburg, Bydgoszcz and Pskov – in France, Germany, Poland and Russia respectively.

Away from Europe, agreements are also in place with Haijou in China and Perth in Canada’s Ontario province.

For more information on Disney’s competition visit: www.waltdisneyworldtwinnedtown.co.uk.