With 2021 marking 70 years of twinning between Cheltenham and its German twin town Göttingen and due to reciprocal visits and face-to-face events scheduled for this anniversary year being cancelled, some virtual events are happening to honour and celebrate this long standing friendship between the two towns.
One such event was an online bridge tournament between Cheltenham Bridge Club and the two combined bridge clubs in Göttingen Germany, who have enjoyed a special relationship for over 10 years. A virtual bridge competition took place over the weekend 26 and 27 June with a pairs’ game on the Saturday and a teams’ game on the Sunday. This was enabled, without charge, via the platform created by “RealBridge”. Following the tournament on the Saturday evening, a zoom meeting was held so friends and family who were not involved in the bridge could say hello.
Results
Cheltenham beat Göttingen in the Pairs on Saturday by such a narrow margin that it was declared a draw. In the Teams on Sunday, Cheltenham took an early lead and finished victorious. Given the close result in the Pairs, it was befitting that the top scoring team was from Göttingen. All in all a close run event which was very much enjoyed by all. The full results can be seen on Cheltenham Bridge Club’s website.
The first meeting between the two clubs took place in 2010 and tournaments have taken place alternately every two years until 2016, with this special anniversary year being the ideal time for the clubs to revive their link. On two occasions, Göttingen bridge players and their families welcomed Cheltenham bridge players into their homes and treated them to wonderful days out in and around the beautiful university town of Göttingen, as well as enjoying bridge competitions played in the spirit of friendship. Members of Cheltenham Bridge Club similarly offered reciprocal hospitality to their German friends on two other occasions; staying in their homes and showing them the many delights of Cheltenham and the Cotswolds.
This relationship has been very important to Cheltenham Bridge Club and the links and friendships have lasted many years. The clubs are delighted to be part of the 70th anniversary celebrations.
Cheltenham Twinning Association 