Published on 4th November 2014

Twinning post in Imperial Gardens which points to all of Cheltenham's twin towns

This week is a busy one for welcoming visitors from our twin towns.

A delegation of four from Annecy, including their First Deputy Mayor and the Chairman of the Annecy/ Cheltenham Twinning Committee will be visiting Cheltenham from Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 November.

The group will be visiting Pates Grammar school, the University of Gloucestershire, and the National Star College and hope to establish links between these places and similar educational establishments in Annecy. There will also be the annual working meeting with representatives from Cheltenham’s Twinning Association to discuss and plan future twinning events and to start discussions for marking the 60th anniversary of the link in 2016. 

The Annecy delegation will also be attending a concert on Saturday 8 November at 7.30pm at the Town Hall where the Göttingen choir will be performing Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with the Cheltenham Bach Choir. This will see over 60 members of the Göttingen choir visiting the town from Tuesday 4 to Sunday 9 November with the majority of them staying in homes of members of the Bach choir. The German choir will meet the Mayor at a reception at 11.30am on Thursday 6 November in the Municipal Offices.

The Annecy delegation as well as representatives from Göttingen will be attending the Remembrance Sunday service on Sunday 9 November. Wreaths will be laid this year from two of Cheltenham’s twin towns, in recognition of commemorating the centenary of WW1. The First Deputy Mayor, Mireille Brasier, will lay a wreath on behalf of the town of Annecy and Dr Bernd Eberhardt, the conductor of the Göttingen Stadtkantorei will lay the wreath of behalf of the council and people of Cheltenham’s German twin town.

Councillor Garth Barnes, chairman of Cheltenham Twinning Association, said: “We’re delighted to see so many twinning visitors coming to our town.

“The two choirs from Göttingen and Cheltenham have forged such a superb relationship that has enabled them to perform at the highest standard together. This shows twinning at a cultural and personal level that brings much enjoyment and lasting friendships to many.

“We meet with our Annecy guests every year but we alternate between Annecy and Cheltenham. This year gives us the chance to promote what our town has to offer and help us to forge even stronger relationships. It has also been timed well that both parties are here to take part in our Remembrance Service.”

Ticket prices for The Cheltenham Bach Choir and the Göttingen Stadtkantorei at Cheltenham Town Hall on Saturday 8 November at 7.30pm range from £10 to £30 and are available from Cheltenham Town Hall’s website.

 

For press enquiries contact: Kelly Carter, communications officer, telephone 01242 264154 or email: [email protected]