|
LINKING  |
|
NATION
TO NATION |
TOWN
TO TOWN |
PERSON
TO PERSON |
|
Click
on NAME of town ABOVE to visit EACH |
|
The
links locally for Town twinning are through the Tendring
Twinning Association, a voluntary, non-political organisation
which arranges cultural exchanges to the twin towns, and hosts
return visits, to the Tendring area.
TO
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR ASSOCIATION CLICK ON THE TOPICS BELOW
|
|
Public Gardens
Clacton on
Sea
Thames
barges
on the
River Stour
|
Biberach
Town Hall
Valence
seen
from the
air
|
Harwich
high
lighthouse
Church of
Peace,
Świdnica
|
|
Tendring
Twinning Association has existed for 37
years. Its aim is to enable the people of the Tendring
District to link up with people of the towns of Biberach
in Germany, Valence in France and Świdnica
in Poland.
The twinning link with Valence
goes back to 1969 when Valence originally twinned with
the former Clacton Urban District Council. However, a new
Charter was signed in 1990 to expand the link to the Tendring
District. At the same time, the District signed a
twinning charter with Biberach, a town in Baden-Württemberg,
South Germany, which was also twinned with Valence.
Over the years, through various twinning
exchanges, representatives from the Tendring District made
links with one of Biberach's other twin towns - Świdnica
in Poland in 1999; a twinning charter with the town of Świdnica
was also signed.
|
The Association provides opportunities to
travel to our Twin Towns. We
sometimes travel together by luxury coach for a
"long" weekend, from Thursday late evening,
returning late Sunday. More recently travel has been by
cheap flight (Ryanair) from Stansted. We stay with host
families, who provide free hospitality and some entertainment.
In return appreciation is shown by gifts or paying for a
treat. After initial introductions, many individuals and
families have established long-lasting friendships and often
visit each other at different times.
In turn, the Association hosts
visits from our fellow 'twinners', when our
'host families' provide hospitality and entertainment.
Careful attention is given to matching
guests with hosts. Information
regarding any knowledge of languages; age group; wishes
regarding pets; smoking or non-smoking, etc. Success in this
area is amazing.
|
| Besides entertainment
provided by host families, special events are organized by the
Twinning Associations; these may include folk
dancing and music, and an evening reception with music,
dancing and cabaret; or there may also be a short trip out to
a place of interest with, say, a picnic. The proportion of
organised activities to free-time varies with each trip, and
according to individual preferences. There is always a
Twinning Market at each venue, with stalls selling traditional
products from each country. Members of the committee
organise the Tendring Stall at the regular May, Autumn or
Christmas markets held in France or Germany.
Youth: young
people are encouraged to take part through special interest
groups such as sports clubs and music/drama groups, or
through local schools.
Language Learning:
courses for language development are offered in our Twin Towns
from time to time, and occasionally the TTA puts on special
beginners or refresher courses according to demand. See News
for details of any courses available.
|
Membership is
by modest subscription.
Apart from attending events, members' participation is through
the Annual General Meeting, which elects officers and
committee.
AGM's and committee meetings are normally held at
Imperial House, Rosemary Road, Clacton-on-Sea.
For membership contact John
& Judith Wolton, Oak Bungalow, Jaywick Lane, Clacton on
Sea, Essex, CO16 7BE. Te:
01255 428532.
Email: johnjudith.wolton@btinternet.com (See Tendring
Twinning Committee: ) or go to Membership
Page for a blank subscription
form 
Funds are raised through social occasions, sale of
produce at the Markets, and occasional grants from TDC and the
EU.
Members often provide refreshments at events
organised by TCVS (Tendring Community for Voluntary Service)
at the Princes Theatre.
|
IF YOU WISH TO JOIN, OR FIND OUT
MORE, ENQUIRIES TO MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: John
& Judith Wolton, Telephone: 01255 428532.
Email: .
|
The TTA keeps in touch with
members by occasional letters and publishing several Newsletters
throughout the year; and, of course, e-mail and our website: www.oocities.org/tendringtwinning
|
|
The idea of town twinning was born shortly after the Second World
War, when the peoples of Europe realised the need for mutual
reconciliation and co-operation between neighbours in order to rebuild
peace. The first contacts were essentially exchanges of
experiences in the area of local life. Today, more than 50
years later, town twinning has grown into a movement linking
municipalities in several European countries to an intricate network of
citizens. For further information visit:
Tendring
Twinning Website compiled by C. Knight ©
May 2004 TTA Secretary ; telephone 01255 880675
|