‘Twinning’ deal brings Games link

The unusual partnership with the east London borough has been formed to forge a link with the capital in the run up to the 2012 Olympics.

Schools, community organisations and sporting groups across the Scarborough area are set to benefit from the East Meets East project, which is being run by Seachange Community Trust, Scarborough Council and Hackney Council under the Coast 2012 banner.

Sarah Fenwick, enterprise manager at Seachange Community Trust, said: “We have managed to establish a link with one of the main host boroughs of the Olympics, which is quite an achievement for a small town like Scarborough.

“The project is really intended to bring the benefits of the Olympics to Scarborough. It’s about getting children and young people from local schools engaged with sport and cultural events and there will be a link-up with schools in Hackney, as well as with community and sports groups.”

The leader of Scarborough Borough Council Tom Fox said he was extremely excited about the partnership: “Our borough has so much to offer. As much as it is different we have so many things in common including a love of music, sport and fun and it will provide an opportunity for young people to share in this.”

The twinning is part of a wider initiative to link areas in Yorkshire with the Olympic host boroughs of London.

A partnership has already been established with Barnsley and Newham and others could be in the pipeline.