Two students from Annecy experienced working life in Cheltenham for the month of August.  Charlotte Taskiran worked with the Customer Services and Educational teams at the Wilson and Richard Moulin was busy with Cheltenham Borough Homes at the Hesters Way Resource Centre.  The students stayed with local families, so were well immersed into the English way of life and the Mayor invited them to the Parlour for afternoon tea.

Meanwhile, Megan Tomlinson and George Jewell from Cheltenham spent the month of July on work placements in Annecy.  Megan worked in the Youth Information Office and George as part of the parks and gardens team.  All had a great time and gained much confidence in their foreign language ability.

In a recent visit to Annecy in France a group of 50 residents from Cheltenham and the surrounding area joined members of Cheltenham Twinning Association to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of twinning between Cheltenham and Annecy.

A warm welcome was extended by the Mayor of Annecy, Jean-Luc Rigaut, at a reception at the Hôtel de Ville which was attended by the Mayor of Cheltenham, Cllr Chris Ryder, and the group from Cheltenham, as well as visitors from Annecy’s twin towns of Bayreuth, Germany and Vicenza, Italy at which the importance of friendship was expressed.

Existing friendships were renewed and new links were made. Links were also extended between educational establishments to support the exchange of vocational students.

A highlight of the visit was the Fête du Lac: a spectacular fireworks and laser show set against the backdrop of Annecy lake which this year took the theme of film music.

A guided tour of Annecy, a boat trip on Annecy lake and tours of the local area including visits to neighbouring Aix-les-Bains and the high mountain pass of Aravis enabled visitors to explore spectacular scenery. Visitors also enjoyed an evening in the Semnoz mountains with a delicious al fresco meal and singing led by a lively and accomplished accordion player. 

With an overnight stop in Reims en route to Annecy and a stop in Paris with a guided tour of the city on the return journey the group had wonderful opportunities to enjoy many aspects of the rich culture, cuisine and heritage France has to offer.

If you wish to find out more about Cheltenham’s active twinning links, please contact Annette Wight. À bientôt!

2016 sees the celebration of 60 years of twinning since the official agreement between the two Councils was signed on 17 June 1956.  Over the years hundreds of Cheltonians and Anniciens have crossed the Channel and benefitted from the very strong friendship that exists between Cheltenham and Annecy.

To mark the occasion, several events are being organised this year and here’s a taster of what’s on:-

13 – 19 June – Visit to Annecy International Animated Film Festival by a group of students from the University of Gloucestershire Animated Film Degree course.

20 June – 14 July – Exhibition at The Wilson of photos from the competition ‘I Present my Town’ Annecy and Cheltenham

24 – 27 June – Official celebrations in Annecy to mark 60 years of twinning

7 – 12 July – Visit to Cheltenham by the Mayor of Annecy, officials and a tourist group to celebrate the twinning link in Cheltenham.   A day of festive twinning fun in Cheltenham town on Saturday 9 July.

8 – 29 July – A group of 30 students from Annecy attending the international summer school at Gloucestershire College.

3 – 10 August – A 60th anniversary twinning trip to Annecy by a group of 50 Cheltenham citizens to enjoy everything Annecy and its surroundings have to offer, including the fabulous Fete du Lac on Saturday 6 August.

For further information on any of the above, please contact the Twinning Officer.

 

Two summer work placements are on offer to young people this summer to improve their French language ability and to gain confidence and experience by living and working in a different country.

Cheltenham Borough Council in conjunction with its French twin town are offering the opportunity of paid employment for 4 weeks within the Municipality of Annecy to two young people aged 18 years or over. A good level of French is desirable (A level) and is ideal for those wishing to improve their language before further studies at university, or wishing to brush up on their French to assist with job potential. The placements on offer are for the month of July and further details of the two posts can be found here.

Interested students should send the Twinning Officer their CV with a paragraph about why they would like this opportunity by 31 March. Selection and interviews will be held towards the end of April.

Capture our town to celebrate twinning

Competition now CLOSED.
Thank you for the entries.
View those selected here.

To celebrate 60 years of twinning between the twin towns of Cheltenham and Annecy, a photo competition is being organised, on the theme ‘I PRESENT MY TOWN’. We are pleased to be running this in conjunction with Cheltenham Camera Club.

Download the Terms and conditions and Entry Form

Participants can submit up to three photographs that will illustrate the theme: ‘I present my town’. This may be Cheltenham’s architecture, people, entertainment or environment. The photographs need to display an aspect of Cheltenham to the people of Annecy. There will be a cash prize of £100 for the first prize winner and hampers of local produce for the second and third prize winners. The competition opens on 1 March 2016 until 8 May 2016. Up to 30 images will be chosen and sent digitally to Annecy where the prints will be reproduced for an exhibition.

The photographs can be taken either with a camera, a smartphone or tablet and effects can be added. Participants should be amateurs not professionals. Entrants should give a title to their photos and ideally comment on their choice or the emotion attached to it.

From the selected images sent to Annecy, a panel will choose the top ten and the first and second choice. The third choice will be voted for by the public at the exhibition. Annecy will send Cheltenham 30 of their selected photos for Cheltenham to choose Annecy’s winners.

The town of Annecy will announce the winners in Annecy during the visit of the official delegation from Cheltenham from 24-27 June 2016. In turn, Cheltenham will present the awards during the visit of Annecy’s delegation to Cheltenham from 7-12 July 2016. The photos will be exhibited at The Wilson from 20 June to 14 July 2016.

Photographs and the entry form can be submitted from 1 March to 8 May 2016 via email to twinning@cheltenham.gov.uk (in Jpeg format and no larger than 20MB) or on a CD to the Twinning Officer, Annette Wight, Cheltenham Borough Council, Municipal Offices, Promenade, GL50 9SA.

Download the Terms and conditions and Entry Form or contact Annette Wight, 01242 264311, annette.wight@cheltenham.gov.uk.

This trip is now full.  Thank you for your interest.

Cheltenham Twinning Association is organising a trip to Annecy to mark the 60th anniversary of the twinning link between the two towns.  The visit will take place from 3-10 August 2016 to coincide with Annecy’s spectacular ‘Fete du Lac’ (lake festival) that takes place on the first Saturday in August every year.  The 8 day trip by coach will include overnight stops in Reims and the outskirts of Paris and 5 nights in Annecy, either staying with a family or in a hotel/hostel. The price is £255 or £395 per person depending on the accommodation chosen.  A single room supplement applies.

The Association would be delighted to welcome anyone interested in this trip and wishing to participate in the 60th anniversary celebrations.  Please read the further information and return the booking form if you are interested or contact the Twinning Officer.

The Twinning Officer would also like to hear from anyone who could offer host family accommodation in their home for visitors from Annecy when they visit Cheltenham from 7-12 July 2016 for the 60th anniversary celebrations here and indeed from anyone who would like to get involved and could help linguistically or otherwise.