TRANSATLANTIC BOND: Scottish group, Athens form partnership

Published 6:45 am Thursday, September 27, 2018

As Americans’ interest in genealogy continues to grow, many people are finding their bloodlines originated across the Atlantic in the United Kingdom.

Athens State University Religious Studies Professor Dr. Debra Baird’s roots stretch to Scotland. In researching her family’s lineage, she befriended Phil Mills-Bishop, who leads the Stovehaven Twinning Group, and Richard Holman-Baird, chieftain to Clan Baird and co-chair of the twinning group.

According to a recent report in The Press and Journal publication, the group “believes the transatlantic partnership will lead to an increase in tourism and closer cultural, business and sporting ties” between different communities.

Twinning, Baird said, is similar to a sister-city agreement some cities form with each other. The goal is for Athens to learn more about Stonehaven, Scotland, and for residents of Stonehaven to learn more about Athens, Alabama. Because the partnership is an educational one, the city of Athens, Athens City Schools and Athens State University have agreed to be principle partners on the project.

It’s not the first time Baird has engaged in similar agreements. When she lived in Tuscaloosa, she struck a similar agreement with Stuttgart, Germany. She said the partnership allowed students from Alabama to spend time in Germany and for German students to visit Alabama.

Baird hopes a similar exchange agreement between Alabama and Scotland will be formed to allow students the chance to experience new cultures. In the meantime, local schools will be encouraged to engage in web chats with schools in Scotland so students here may learn more about students there.

“This is an excellent opportunity for greater connection with children in the world — direct ties are so important in understanding each other,” said Athens City Schools Superintendent Dr. Trey Holladay.

Baird said a collective from Stonehaven is tentatively scheduled to visit Athens in May or June of next year. Representatives from Athens hope to visit Scotland next summer.

“When they come here, we’ll have them stay with families in town, and when we go over there, we’ll stay with families there,” Baird said. “It’s a means of getting to know and make friends with people.”

A friendship accord recognizing the twinning agreement includes a welcoming prayer in Doric, the native language of Stonehaven: “Micht ye aye fin three welcomes. In a gairdin, in i simmer. At an ingleneuk i the winter. An fit iver i day or time or year i in i gweedherted een o a freen.”

In case you don’t speak Doric, the translation reads, “You always find three welcomes … In a garden in the summer, at a fireside during winter and whatever the day or season, in the kind eyes of a friend.”

The connection with Scotland comes as the city prepares to celebrate its bicentennial in November. A proclamation about the twinning agreement will be read at the bicentennial celebration Nov. 18.

“I think it’s a great recognition for our community and a great opportunity,” Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks said. “To be a sister city and work with others on a national and international basis, in order to showcase our communities in a spirit of friendship, is helpful to all of us.”