Hungerford is officially twinned with the town of  Ligueil in Indre-et-Loire , France.

In 1978 the annual parish meeting gave agreement for the Town  Council to seek for a French partner. After several early attempts  failed, Hungerford made approaches through the British Council and the  E.U., who were offering generous funding to twinning arrangements as a means of encouraging better international  relationships.

In February 1980 the Canneton family from Ligueil arrived in  Hungerford without prior warning. Contact was made with Mayor Jack Williams and events then moved  quickly. A delegation from Hungerford (Jack Williams as Mayor, Robert James as Constable, Dennis Simmonds and Mansil Morgan) visited Ligueil in May 1980, and a group from Ligueil visited Hungerford in July (see "Busy schedule for French delegation" - NWN 10 Jul 1980, and "Twinning of town looks almost certain after weekend visit by French" - NWN 17 Jul 1980). A target date was  set for Charters to be signed between the two towns.

On a cold snowy day, 29 November 1980 the Charter was signed in Ligueil, the ceremony was attended by 34 people from Hungerford. Jack Williams cut the ribbon naming "Rue de Hungerford".  See "Historic ceremony binds Hungerford and Ligueil together" - NWN 4 Dec 1980.

This was  followed by a similar ceremony in Hungerford on St Valentine's Day 14th February 1981. Over 600 people attended the ceremony at Hungerford on a brilliant sunny day. See the full page report "Hungerford welcomes their Twin Town Ligueil!" - NW 19 Feb 1981.

Since 1980 there have been many group delegations to and from the  two towns including the Fire Brigade, the Round Table, the Town Band and almost immediately the John o' Gaunt School entered into a regular  pattern of visits. Since the Charter was signed, Hungerford has been represented at every Commice (a  regional cultural and agricultural celebration) held in Ligueil every  six years.

The first twinning visit included visits to Arkell's Brewery, Radley Farm, St Lawrence Church, the Fire Station, the Ambulance Station, John o' Gaunt School, the Three Swans and the Antiques Arcade. David Liddiard arranged a hot-air balloon launch, Harry Dodson showed off his flowers at Chilton Gardens. Roger Beard and Vic Lardner arranged a "Race Nite" with the Cricket Club,  with a lunch was held at the Bear Hotel. The Hungerford Youth Band played wonderfully moving music at the Bridge Street War Memorial.

The success of twinning has been  maintained since and many long term friendships have evolved between  Hungerford and Ligueil families. Regular bi-annual visits take place in  which families of both towns visit Hungerford and Ligueil.

The Mayor of Ligueil, with Jack Williams and Robert James during the
Charter signing, 14 Feb 1981

Hot-air Balloons at St Lawrence's Church, Feb 1981

Ligueil