Fund Raising Supper at Spice Lodge, Montpellier Drive

The work of Cheltenham Twinning Association and local charities was celebrated during a successful fundraising supper hosted by Spice Lodge in Cheltenham, attended by the Mayor of Cheltenham, Cllr Bernard Fisher, together with many guests.

Set in the charming former Old Mansion House, guests enjoyed a drinks and canapé reception followed by a delicious two-course pan-Asian dinner. Entertainment was provided by magician, Andy Field, who captivated guests with his magical card illusions.

Speaking at the event, Cllr Diggory Seacome, Chairman of Cheltenham Twinning Association, emphasised the importance of the links with Cheltenham’s  twin towns, and in particular the support provided for local young people to participate in European youth activities, such as the annual Peace Camp.

Valuable funds were raised for Cheltenham Twinning Association as well as Cheltenham Mayor’s chosen charities, the Pied Piper Appeal, which supports sick and disabled children across Gloucestershire, and Cheltenham Animal Shelter, which re-homes unwanted and abandoned stray cats, dogs and small animals.

Göttingen Students experience work placements in Cheltenham

Ten students from Göttingen are experiencing working life in Cheltenham as they embark on either a 4 or 6 week placement with local companies, such as UK Naric, Abercrombie and Kent, local charities such as Sue Ryder and Oxfam  and Cheltenham Borough Council.   All are staying with families and enjoying being part of English family life as well.   The photo is of the group on their first day during a guided walking tour of Cheltenham. They have also been on a trip through the Cotswolds and a visit to Oxford including Exeter College, Christ Church College, Oxford Castle, and for one of the students, entry to the beautifully curated JRR Tolkien exhibition. Lots more is planned!

Youth Peace Camp 2018 – ‘A Space Week in the City of Nicolaus Copernicus’

With the support of Cheltenham Twinning Association and some determined fund-raising, six young people from Cheltenham together with two youth leaders from CMAS (Community Mentoring and Support CiC) had a wonderful opportunity to participate in the annual Peace Camp along with young people from France, Germany and Poland, in the historic city of Torún (Poland).

The group participated in a series of educational scientific research activities in the science labs of the Mill of Knowledge Modernity Centre in Torún, the birthplace of the famous astronomer Copernicus, and also enjoyed exploring the historic town including a visit to the Gingerbread Museum to taste delicious gingerbread cakes, a famous local delicacy!

The idea of organising international youth meetings originated from the authorities in Göttingen, who wanted young people from partner cities to join in activities to promote peaceful coexistence between people of different nationalities. We are delighted the summer holiday peace camps have been taking place for twenty years, each year, alternating between Cheltenham (UK), Göttingen and Wittenberg (Germany), Pau (France) and Torún (Poland).

Fund Raising Supper

On Tuesday 18 September, 7pm, a fund raising dinner will be held at the Spice Lodge in Cheltenham.  Tickets are £25 per person and the proceeds will go towards the Twinning Association to support young people taking part in twinning activities and the Mayor’s Charities which are the Pied Piper Appeal and the Cheltenham Animal Shelter.  Entertainment will be provided by a magician and there will be a raffle with great prizes.  Do come along, meet fellow twinners and support the Association.

Tickets are available from Annette Wight on 01242 264311 or by email.

Annecy, Cheltenham, Bayreuth and Vicenza – Europeans Together

From 3-6 August 2018 a small delegation of 3 people accompanied the mayor to Annecy, when Annecy invited representatives from all of their twin towns for their annual Fete du Lac spectacle.  Interesting talks, networking and forging new links were all hot on the agenda as the future of Europe and the importance of maintaining and further developing links with our European friends were all passionately discussed between Annecy, Bayreuth Germany, Vicenza Italy and Cheltenham.

 

Students benefit from exchange

Two students from Annecy have been experiencing English working life and culture, whilst improving their language skills and being immersed in family life.  For four weeks, Alexandra Carrez helped out in the Gardens Gallery in Montpellier Gardens, carried out a survey for the gallery and visited other galleries in and around Cheltenham; Lea Grondin was with the Community Investment team of Cheltenham Borough Homes and assisted with many community events and activities for local families.  The girls also visited the Mayor’s Parlour for tea with the Mayor.

Overseas Students come to Cheltenham

Every summer Cheltenham sees an influx of students from its twin towns.  In July this year the Mayor welcomed 48 students from Annecyand 20 from Weihai. 

The students were all attending the international summer school run by Gloucestershire College, where they take part in language lessons, sporting and sightseeing activities and all stay with local host families.

A group of 10 young people from Gottingen were also in Cheltenham from 26 July to 6 August on a sport and language visit.  These visits give the young people a brilliant opportunity to experience family life with a British family and to gain confidence in speaking English.

Local Students Judge Prize Winners

 

 

 

26 under-graduate students from the University of Gloucestershire’s animated film degree course visited Annecy from 11-15 June to coincide with the International Animated Film Festival held in Annecy every year.  This is an invaluable learning opportunity for the students and 3 of the students were judges for a special prize  awarded by the town of Annecy to young film directors from emerging countries.   Very proud of our local young people being involved in this internationally acclaimed film festival.

 

Culture in Gottingen

A small delegation of three people including the Mayor of Cheltenham were invited to Gottingen over the weekend of 1-4 June 2018 to take part in 3 events, namely marking the 40th anniversary of Gottingen’s twinning link with its Polish twin town of Torun, the presentation of the Samuel-Bogumil-Linde prize for literature and the evening of culture.

Read the Vice Chair of the Twinning Association’s report.

Glos Farmers explore Annecy

A group of 26 farmers and their partners from the Gloucestershire Farmers Diners association visited Annecy from 12-17 May.   This community group were assisted in their organisation by the Twinning

Officers of both Cheltenham and Annecy and enjoyed a reception, boat tour on the lake and a tour of the town, courtesy of Annecy.  They also visited Mont Blanc, Aix-les-Bains and the pretty little town of Chanaz, as well as seeing the resistance museum.  The group were thoroughly impressed with Annecy and the welcome received and had a fab trip.