Toyota City delegation visits Derby to mark twinning 25th anniversary

Derby has welcomed a delegation from Toyota City who visited to mark 25 years of a twinning agreement between the two regions.

Derbyshire County Council, Derby City Council and South Derbyshire District Council signed the agreement in 1998 and have worked with the Japanese city to bring about mutual benefits in terms of economy, environment, education, culture and sport ever since.

Toyota City’s Mayor, Toshihiko Ota, and chairperson of its city council, Fumiya Kimoto, were joined by other dignitaries from Toyota City on a recent trip to Derby and the wider Derbyshire area.

During the visit, Derbyshire’s three local authorities reaffirmed their commitment to working with Toyota City as part of the international partnership, which has brought thousands of jobs and huge investment to Derbyshire over the last 25 years.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, the city council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for city centre, regeneration, culture and tourism, said: “It was our great pleasure to welcome our partners from Toyota City to Derby.

“Over the past 25 years, the relationship between Toyota City, Derby and Derbyshire has gone from strength to strength and created many economic, cultural and educational benefits.”

During their visit to Derby, the delegation visited Allestree Park to find out more about its rewilding project before taking in other important sites in the city.

The rewilding project, which involves the city council, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the University of Derby, is the largest urban rewilding project in Britain, so has national significance as well as being important to the city.

The delegation toured some of the city’s key development sites, including Derby Market Hall and Becketwell.

The group also visited Derby Cathedral to see the Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon and, during the afternoon, enjoyed a tour of Rolls-Royce.

Councillor Peatfield said: “We were proud to showcase the great work being done in Derby, including the Allestree Park rewilding project.

“This felt particularly appropriate as Japan has a deep understanding of sustainability and people’s relationship to the natural environment.

“Spending valuable time with the delegation from Toyota City was time very well spent.

“We learned many things about each other’s cities, shared ideas and continued to nurture our mutually respected friendship.

“We continue to celebrate 25 years of partnership and look forward to strengthening our special relationship in the future.”

The friendship between Toyota City, Derby and Derbyshire goes back to 1989, when Toyota chose Burnaston to base its first European car factory.

Delegates from Derby City Council are due to make a reciprocal visit to Toyota City this month.