Two summer work placement jobs are available in Cheltenham’s beautiful twin town of Annecy this summer from 2 July to 2 August 2017.  One is working with the Parks and Gardens team maintaining and keeping Annecy’s wonderful green spaces tidy.  The other is working in the Youth Information Office giving advice and helping visiting students to Annecy.  A high level of French is required for the office position.  The posts are remunerated and accommodation is provided.

If you have A level French and see this as a great opportunity to improve your language skills, please send your CV and letter of motivation to the Twinning Officer.  Further details of the positions can be viewed here.

 

The Mayor of Cheltenham presented Johanna Granville-Edmunds with a food hamper and book of Annecy recently, for her picture ‘Warm Hugs’ which won 3rd prize in the Cheltenham / Annecy 60th anniversary photo competition.  The top ten images from each town had been on display earlier in the summer and the 3rd prize winner was chosen by a public vote. 

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.