On Thursday 21 September 2023, 38 Cheltenham twinning enthusiasts set off by coach for their twin town of Göttingen, Germany. With an overnight stop in Antwerp the group made it to Göttingen in the late afternoon the next day.

A programme of events had been drawn up by the German hosts, but unfortunately the discovery of 2 unexploded bombs in the centre of town, near the railway station, meant that the Goose Girl Festivities planned for the weekend had to be cancelled. Instead a steam train journey to the Brocken, the highest point in the Harz mountains was arranged, and the following day a visit to the Bergpark at Kassel, one of the UNESCO World heritage sites with its man-made cascade of water and fountains was organised, both providing spectacular views of the nearby countryside.

Having detonated and removed the bombs, Göttingen city centre was once again open to explore and the group took part in guided tours of the city and gardens; a visit to the Forum Wissen, the new science museum of Göttingen University, a walk in the Göttingen forest, the unveiling of a plaque to honour the founder of the Youth Sports Exchange and enjoyed the local cafe culture of the pedestrianised area of the town.

The Cheltenham group, together with the Mayor of Cheltenham and his wife, were welcomed by the Mayor of Göttingen, Göttingen ‘twinners’, friends and host families at an evening reception, when speeches and gifts were exchanged; the bi-lingual book, 13 More Short Stories was launched and Göttingen’s Twinning Officer was presented with a citation recognising her 40 years of service.

On another evening, the Göttingen Twinning Association invited the group to a convivial social evening to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the establishment of the Twinning Association started in 2003. This provided a great opportunity to catch up with friends, network and make new contacts and to practice one’s German! The Syncopators Jazz band provided musical entertainment, having themselves played in Cheltenham on previous visits.

It was a very successful visit, further cementing good relations with our EU hosts, some of whom actually accommodated members of the party and have become good friends. The trip was rounded off with an overnight stop in the pretty Belgian town of Leuven and everyone arrived safely back in Cheltenham having enjoyed a stay in their German twin town that Travel Guides cannot provide.

See more posts relating to this visit

• Founder of Cheltenham Göttingen Youth Sports Exchange Honoured
• Cheltenham Visitors help Young Offenders
• 40 Years of Twinning Service Recognised
• Cheltenham and Göttingen Storytelling Project Success
• Working Together

• 20 young people from Germany and 10 young people from Poland will join Cheltenham youngsters for an international youth peace camp with activities based around climate change and sustainability.

• Another 12 teenagers from Göttingen, Germany will be in Cheltenham staying with local families to improve their English, immerse themselves in English culture and participating in sporting and cultural activities.

The young people on the Peace camp are from Cheltenham’s twin town of Göttingen, and its twin cities of Torun in Poland and Wittenberg in former East Germany.  From 6-13 August they will be staying at Cranham Scout Centre, together with Cheltenham youngsters from Brizen and Springbank youth centres.  There will be workshops with members of the Planet Cheltenham Youth Group around making sustainable changes in their local community; talks from local councillors on Cheltenham’s plans for net zero; a talk by Paralympian Andy Lewis on achieving goals; as well as a day trip to London and an afternoon of Twin Town Olympics at Brizen Young People’s Centre.   Special thanks to Springbank Community Centre for their support with this project, especially on the catering front – each group will plan and cook an evening meal representing their country.

The second group of young people from Göttingen will be spending 10 days in Cheltenham from 4-14 August, staying in the homes of local families and following a programme of language learning, sporting activities, day trips to Bath, London, Stratford and Clearwell Caves, as well as meeting up with the Peace camp group.

Both groups will be greeted by the Deputy Mayor of Cheltenham at a reception at the Municipal Offices.

The Peace camp was initiated by Göttingen in 1995 to mark 50 years of peace in Europe and has taken place nearly every year alternating between Göttingen’s twin towns.  It brings together young people from different countries and cultures to take part in activities and projects on relevant current topics.

Cheltenham twinning is very proud of its 72 year link with Göttingen and is delighted to welcome these young people to the town.

With special thanks to UK-German Connection and Gloucestershire County Council Build Back Better for their generous financial support.

Göttingen bass clarinet player and improvisor, Ove Volquartz, teamed up with Cheltenham musician Chris Cundy and Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra to perform as part of Cheltenham’s Jazz Festival’s Around Town programme.   The combined improvised jazz concert took place at The Wilson on Thursday 27 April and highlights a true example of international artistic collaboration through music.

Göttingen Musician, Ove Volquartz, in Cheltenham

We are very happy to welcome bass clarinet player, composer and improviser Ove Volquartz who visits us from our German twin town of Göttingen, to participate in the prestigious Cheltenham Jazz Festival 2023, in recognition of cross-cultural music and artistic exchanges.

During his visit, he will take part in a concert, as part of Cheltenham Jazz Festival’s official ‘Around Town’ programme, at The Wilson on Thursday 27th April 2023 from 6pm – 7pm.

Ove will feature as soloist in a unique collaboration with Chris Cundy, musical director & principal conductor, of Cheltenham Improvisers Orchestra, a community-based orchestra engaging in experimental performance and contemporary arts practices. The orchestra consists of players of all ages and musical backgrounds and they are currently in residence at The Wilson, Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum under the invitation of resident artist and sitar player Dinesh Patel.

In addition, Ove will also appear at some of the late night open stages taking place around the Festival including the exciting new venue at The Bottle of Sauce located on Ambrose Street (see the Around Town guide for more details). Cheltenham Jazz Festival …Around Town Programme revealed | Cheltenham Festivals

Entrance is free although there is a limit on numbers.

Please do come along and support our Göttingen friend.

REGISTRATION now closed. Delighted to say over 50 people will be visiting the lovely town of Göttingen in September.

Fancy a visit to Cheltenham’s German twin town of Göttingen? From 21-28 September 2023 Cheltenham Twinning Association is organising a visit for all local citizens to take part in. The visit will coincide with Göttingen’s Goose Girl Festival and is a wonderful opportunity to see this delightful half timbered town near the Harz mountains and experience its culture and traditions.

The cost of this 8 day trip will be a maximum of £500 per person sharing a twin / double room based on a minimum of 30 people, with the options of staying with a family in Göttingen or in a hotel (at extra cost).

Expressions of interest required by May.

Further details are below, with a booking form, or email: Twinning@cheltenham.gov.uk