From 15-17 April the Director of International Development, David Finch, and a colleague from the National Star College visited Annecy to investigate the opportunities for linking and working with the organisation ADIMC74 in Annecy who care for those with special needs. The visit was extremely beneficial and several areas for partnership working were discussed. David Finch’s report on the visit, together with photos can be viewed here.
Visit to Stampersgat 2015
A group of 22 people visited our friendship town of Stampersgat from 14-17 May for the 45th anniversary of the link. Some new ‘younger’ people took part this year and below is an account of the trip from two of these first timers!
Our first experience of the Stampersgat friendship link – as shared by Ben Humphris and Caron Weir
After being invited into the Stampersgat friendship group, the planning began for our first trip. From knowing the history of how the link was formed by Ben’s Grandfather, we were very interested to be a part of something so special, especially with the group celebrating 45 years of friendship.
On arrival in the village we met our hosts (who were new to the group also) and our adventure began. We felt immediately welcomed by our hosts. Our first night consisted of getting to know each other over drinks!
On Friday we paid our respects at the grave of fallen Corporal Dennis Lee and took time to remember all the soldiers from around the world, especially the Gloucestershire Regiment. It was a lovely opportunity to remember all those lives lost. Afterwards we were served light refreshments at the school in the village. They had on display, a selection of photos, newspaper articles and 
memorabilia commemorating the friendship link over the 45 years. The football club in Stampersgat put on a lovely lunch and more social chatter ensued. Afterwards we were lucky enough to explore surrounding towns with our hosts, such a beautiful insight into the area. Then it was time for the evening of entertainment we had prepared for our hosts….great food and great company. A great evening had by all!!
The Saturday consisted of a day trip to Antwerp in Belgium which was very interesting. We were lucky enough to have a guide to explain all about the history of the city.
On our return Ben and I were lucky enough to take part in the ‘Cheltenham Run’ which was 5km through the village of Stampersgat. The run takes place in the village every year and on hearing there were people from Cheltenham they asked 
a member of the friendship group to start the race. It was great to be able to take part in the race whilst being there. The community came out in force to support us all. In the evening we enjoyed a BBQ with all the newbies and it continued into the early hours.
Our final day and time to say goodbye, even though we had only just met our hosts, they felt like family! We can’t wait to welcome our new friends to Cheltenham in 2017 and look forward to the next 45 years.
Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra to visit Göttingen
The Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra will be going on tour to Germany this summer and performing a concert in Cheltenham’s twin town of Göttingen as part of the programme of the Cheltenham Festival in Göttingen. The orchestra will be performing at the St Johannis Church on Monday evening 27 July 2015. They will also be playing in Dransfeld on Sunday 26 July and in Mönchengladbach on 29 July. The 60 strong orchestra will join with around 70 other visitors from Cheltenham in a programme of twinning activities whilst in Göttingen, full details of which can be viewed here, should anyone be interested in joining the group.
YMCA cycle to Göttingen
Six staff and friends from the Cheltenham YMCA set off on their bicycle ride from Cheltenham to Göttingen in July. Each participant hoped to raise £1000 towards the work of the YMCA. Once in Europe the group were met by members of the Göttingen YMCA and they cycled together to Göttingen and were welcomed by the Mayor of Göttingen. The cyclists set off from the twinning signpost in Imperial Gardens.
Internships
As part of an initiative to raise awareness of Europe in the run up to the General Election, two internships were organised for students from Annecy and Göttingen. Arthur Cheul from Annecy is helping out at the Lib Dem Office until after the elections and has been here since January and Stina Buentge from Göttingen arrived on 23 March and will be working with the Council’s Election team until after the election. It is hoped that both will get involved with local residents, students and the media to put across their (personal) point of view of Europe and its benefits.
Summer work in Annecy 2015
These two posts have now been filled for summer 2015.
Natasha Steels a former pupil of Pates Grammar School will be working as part of the gardens and green space team in Annecy and Eleanor Fawcett, a former Balcarras School pupil currently studying French at Cambridge University, will take up the post in the Youth Information Office. We wish them a fun, fulfilling and memorable stay in Annecy.
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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 5 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 10 April. Selection and interviews will be held at the beginning of May.
Twinning visit to Göttingen in July 2015
The Big Party visit to Göttingen takes place this summer from 24 to 31 July.
The Big Party only happens every four years and provides the perfect opportunity to get to know Cheltenham’s German twin town, to learn about the German way of life, to make new friends, develop cultural links between clubs, societies and various interest groups, as well as the opportunity to develop business and professional contacts.
What’s happening?
A programme of events for the week will be arranged by Göttingen twinning officers, including a welcome reception, a twinning party and a day trip to Berlin or a castle near Hannover.
The Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra will also be in Göttingen at this time, and all are invited to their concert.
For more information, please read the full programme outline.
The cost of the visit is £195 per person and all travel arrangements by coach will be organised for you, as well as accommodation with families or in hotels.
If you’re interested, please download the information pack, which includes full details of the trip, as well as booking forms.
If you have any questions or require further information, please contact Annette Wight on 01242 264311 or email annette.wight@cheltenham.gov.uk
Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra pre-planning visit to Göttingen
From 6-9 December, three members of the Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra went to Göttingen on a pre-planning visit to discuss and meet various people in connection with their proposed visit to Göttingen next summer alongside the Big Party Visit. The CSO plan to perform two, maybe 3 concerts, during their tour to Germany and we are very pleased that they have planned their tour to coincide with the Cheltenham’s Big Party visit to Göttingen, which will take place from 24-31 July 2015.
Folk Group to Annecy
From 4-8 December a group of 8 members of the Gloucestershire Morrismen, called the Cheeserollers, together with four ‘other halves’,were in Annecy performing English folk songs and carols and some dances too at the Bonlieu Centre as part of Annecy’s Festival of Christmas. Annecy had invited groups from all of their twin towns on various weekends running up to Christmas and we were delighted that the Cheeserollers represented Cheltenham. 
The Bonlieu Centre in Annecy also had a decorated Christmas tree representing each twin town as part of their Noel des Alpes festival.
Cheltenham Schools WW1 Showcase
In Cheltenham on 20 November, the Everyman Theatre commemorated world war one in Gloucestershire through working in partnership with local primary schools. An evening show casing dance, drama, poetry and singing from the pupils of various schools was organised as well as a display of a variety of art and crafts all relating to WW1. Annecy and Göttingen had been invited to 
participate in this showcase and 40 pieces of art work from the Carnot primary school in Annecy had been sent to Cheltenham for display, and a video extract from a play that the senior school, Geschwister Gesamt school in Göttingen had produced on life during war time, was also shown. It was a well attended event and the children had obviously enjoyed working on this topic and producing some excellent work.
Cheltenham International Partnerships 