The history of twinning in Hebden Bridge and the district around it (Hebden Royd) began with early school exchanges between Yorkshire and Lille. Eventually David Wardell from the education authorities in Yorkshire proposed that Hebden Bridge should twin with St Pol sur Ternoise. The successful twinning agreement in 1979/1980 led to the formation of what was then called the European Group in Hebden Bridge. Ruth Ryder became the Group's Secretary and spearheaded twinning activities for many years.