Cirencester has a long tradition of twinning and friendship with the towns of Itzehoe, near Hamburg, Germany and St-Genis-Laval, a suburb of Lyon, France. Throughout the year various exchange visits take place and from time to time formal anniversary celebrations and civic receptions are held.

An invitation has recently been received from Itzehoe for local citizens to visit their town and renew contacts at various levels and between various age groups. Main events are the Weinfest on Saturday, 2 June (a weekend programme), the 2012 Christmas Market at the beginning of December and groups would also be welcome to visit during the summer.

A big twinning event is scheduled for the end of May 2013 when Itzehoe’s official twinning with La Couronne in France will celebrate its 25th anniversary. (Click here for a copy of the draft programme). As a French delegation visited when Cirencester celebrated its 25th twinning event, it is hoped that a large delegation from Cirencester will reciprocate. Accommodation is often available in private homes and the Itzehoe Twinning Committee looks forward to preparing programmes for their visitors. This year, a group of about 75 students from Sophie-Scholl-Gymnasium (one of the 3 Itzehoe Grammar Schools) will spend a day or two at Cirencester Deer Park School. A small contingent from Cirencester also visited the Itzehoe Christmas Market 2011 and likewise two German visitors were able to be present at Cirencester’s official Christmas Market opening.

If you would like further information on any of the above, please contact Jane Miller by Email: jmiller@cirencester.gov.uk or Tel: 01285 655646.

Newsletter:

A regular newsletter is published with the latest twinning news; which is available now to download via the link below and if you would like to receive future editions please e-mail Jane Miller at jmiller@cirencester.gov.uk

Latest Newsletter

‘Friends of Twinning’:

Would you like to take part in an exchange visit?

Would you be able to provide meals and accommodation for exchange students/visitors?

Would you be able to help organize an exchange visit?

Would you able to volunteer to help out during a formal visit/civic reception?

If the answer to any, or all, of the above is ‘yes’ then we would like to invite you to become a ‘Friend of Twinning’. Please contact Jane Miller at jmiller@cirencester.gov.uk and we’ll ensure that you receive twinning updates as and when exchanges and visits are planned.

For further information about Itzehoe and St-Genis-Laval please visit www.itzehoe.de and www.mairie-saintgenislaval.fr