MALVERN COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

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1 MALVERN COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP SIGNED IN OCTOBER 2012 BETWEEN MAYOR IAN HOPWOOD, MAYOR OF MALVERN AND MAYOR Zdeněk Král OF Mariánské Lázně Page 1

Acknowledgements: Andrew Dennison, ML Co-ordinator Andrew Jamieson Barbora Tinterova, Manager ML TIC Bruce Osborne Caroline Bovey Chris

Adlam Ernie Kay MBE Felicity and David Ebsworth Fraser and Rosemary McNeil-Watson Gina Butler Ian and Janet Hopwood Jim Murphy, Malvern

Mark Young Oona Muirhead Philip Rumney Radek Snajdr, Olympia Hotel Renata Palmer Richard Chapman, Town Clerk, Malvern Town Council

2 Acknowledgements: Andrew Dennison, ML Co-ordinator Andrew Jamieson Barbora Tinterova, Manager ML TIC Bruce Osborne Caroline Bovey Chris Martin Cora Weaver David Street Denise Preston Dr John Harcup OBE Dr Petr Somol Dr Vladimir Kajlik, ML Co-ordinator Ed Davies Elizabeth Adlam Ernie Kay MBE Felicity and David Ebsworth Fraser and Rosemary McNeil-Watson Gina Butler Ian and Janet Hopwood Jim Murphy, Malvern Rotary Julian and Helen I Anson Laurie Gregory Linda Smith, Chamber of Commerce Marcela Hayes Margaret Bray Margaret and Carleton Tarr Mark Young Oona Muirhead Philip Rumney Radek Snajdr, Olympia Hotel Renata Palmer Richard Chapman, Town Clerk, Malvern Town Council Rosemary and Tony Whalley Simon Smith, Econ Dev Mgr MHDC Steve Bray Zdeněk Král, Mayor of ML October 2012 in Malvern May 2013 in Mariánské Lázně Page 2

3 Contents How Did It Start?... 4 The Malvern Connection... 4 Malvern Signing Mariánské Lázně Signing May May Visit May July 2015 Visit of the Canzona Choir to Malvern November May March May What is it for? Cultural links Commercial Partnerships Sporting Opportunities Holidays Wellness Youth Exchanges Fellowship Educational Exchanges Five Year Plan Visit To Jesenik MONTECATINI TERME Page 3

4 How Did It Start? For a number of years, there had been discussion with the Town and District Council and between the Civic Society and the Spa Association about the possibility of inviting a European town with a similar profile to Malvern to have a twinning arrangement. Twinning was already in place between Malvern Priory and Wolmirstadt, near Magdeburg and all the senior schools had their exchange towns. Malvern was the only town in the area that had no civic links. Much discussion ensued and a shortlist was drawn up; advice was sought from residents such as Rosemary and Tony Whalley who had experience in twinning. The options were Senlis, north of Paris, which was convenient but not very spa oriented or Mariánské Lázně in Czech Bohemia which has a strong wellness tradition as well as Royal links via Edward VII. A visit was made to the World Travel Mart in London to meet the representatives from Mariánské Lázně. It was subsequently discovered that, in 1989, there had been a visit from a choir from Mariánské Lázně to West Malvern arranged by Laurie Gregory and he brought his experience to the committee. Twenty five members of the Spa Association, Town Council, Rotary and the Civic Society made a visit to the Czech Republic in April Arrangements were made with the manager of the Tourist Office, Barbora Tinterova who put us in touch with Dr Vladimir Kajlik, a retired academic with excellent English, who liaised with the Mayor s office and gave us much advice on our stay. During the stay at the Reitenberger Hotel a number of excursions were arranged with a guide to Franciskovy Lazne, Karlovy Vary, Becov, Loket and Plzen to visit the brewery. The Malvern Connection One of the problems with the choice of Mariánské Lázně as a twin town was that it was not easy to reach 900 miles by road and 120 miles from Prague. One of the early press reports caught the attention of Nuala and Mark Young who lived locally and had a house in Lázně Kynžvart a few miles from Mariánské Lázně; they visited regularly and were able to liaise with the mayor and council and the tourist office. Metternich Castle, Lazne Kynsvart Page 4

Malvern Signing 2012 The Malvern Town Council

towns in April 2012 and a small party from

of the area including the Golf Club and the

5 Malvern Signing 2012 The Malvern Town Council approved the formal agreement between the two towns in April 2012 and a small party from Mariánské Lázně visited Malvern from 19 th to 21 st October of that year. They we given a visit to many of the attractions of the area including the Golf Club and the Showground. The formal agreement was signed in the Great Malvern Hotel on Saturday 21 st October. Page 5

6 Mariánské Lázně Signing May 2013 One important element of the visit was that Bowling Green Motors in Powick loaned a Skoda car for the Mayor to drive in aid of local charities. He raised 5,000. The signing ceremony took place in the Catering College with the food and entertainment provided by the students Page 6

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8 May Visit 2014 In May 2014 a large party from Malvern visited Mariánské Lázně to attend the Opening of the Spa Season. We stayed in the Olympia Hotel and were included in the events including the Casino Concert, Opening Service, buffet lunch and, not least the Opening Ceremony itself where Mayor Hopwood gave an address from the citizens of Malvern ably translated by Andrew Jameson... Page 8

9 May 2015 Page 9

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July 2015 Visit of the Canzona Choir to Malvern Children s Choir CANZONA conductor: Olimpiu Cretan piano accompanist: Marie Skalková Recorder Quartet conductor: Karel Hovorka Saturday 11th July

11 July 2015 Visit of the Canzona Choir to Malvern Children s Choir CANZONA conductor: Olimpiu Cretan piano accompanist: Marie Skalková Recorder Quartet conductor: Karel Hovorka Saturday 11th July Christ Church, Avenue Road, Malvern* Sunday 12 th July St Mary s Church, Kington Sunday 12th July Bands in the Park, Priory Park Tuesday 14th July St Michael s Church, Ledbury Wednesday 15th July St Mary Magdalene, Twyning Page 11

November 2015 The Mayor of Mariánské Lázně and his two deputy mayors and their partners came to

They were taken round on a number of visit including the Showground and the Innovations centre

A small reception was held in the Great Malvern Hotel attended by the Mayor of Malvern, Coun

May 2016 Eighteen members visited for the Spa Opening and enjoyed the hospitality of the town

12 November 2015 The Mayor of Mariánské Lázně and his two deputy mayors and their partners came to Malvern with Andrew Dennison who had volunteered to be the ML Co-ordinator. They were taken round on a number of visit including the Showground and the Innovations centre at the Wyche. A small reception was held in the Great Malvern Hotel attended by the Mayor of Malvern, Coun Julian I Anson and the Chairman of the District Council, Coun Barbara Williams. May 2016 Eighteen members visited for the Spa Opening and enjoyed the hospitality of the town including the concert, the service taken by the Abbot of Tepla and the celebration lunch. We were well looked after by Barbora Tinterova. A number of visits were arranged to Becov, Cheb and Franciscovy Lazne. Page 12

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15 March 2017 Andrew Dennison visited to meet some of the contact people in Malvern including the Town Council with a view to developing the Five Year Plan from the Mariánské Lázně perspective. He met Coun Cynthia Palmer, the current Mayor of Malvern. May 2017 Page 15

$Cultural links The twinning movement was set up after WWII to encourage friendship between the fractured countries of Europe; it was principally aimed at reciprocal visit of like-minded people,$

16 What is it for? 1. Cultural links The twinning movement was set up after WWII to encourage friendship between the fractured countries of Europe; it was principally aimed at reciprocal visit of like-minded people, sometimes based on Church attendance, and with an emphasis on youth groups. In the case of Malvern and Mariánské Lázně, there is a strong musical tradition in each town. We were particularly pleased to see the Canzona choir in 2015 and plans are already afoot for Malvern choirs to visit the Czech Republic in Commercial Partnerships One difference between the traditional twinning arrangement and the link with Mariánské Lázně is that, in addition to being underpinned by the cultural links, it is a Community Partnership with an emphasis on commercial links. Malvern is a well-balanced community with a strong and important Science Park and it is hoped that we may be able to pass on some of our commercial expertise. A visit is already planned with ElectraMetal a maker of electrical wiring for cars. 3. Sporting Opportunities There are many opportunities to share sporting activities and discussions are already under way for a golf tournament; the Royal Mariánské Lázně Golf Club was founded by Edward VII when he was Prince of Wales and retains considerable pride in its royal designation. Other potential links include football and rugby. 4. Holidays Mariánské Lázně is located in Bohemia, used to be called the Sudetenland, an area of low hills and forests ideal for walking and this is another aspect of the Partnership that we are promoting. Apart from the spa heritage, there are many small historical towns and villages nearby. Travellers would normally arrive via Prague or Nuremberg and could spend some time at those cities en route. 5. Wellness 2018 marks the two hundredth anniversary of the building of the modern town of Mariánské Lázně and the development of the hydrotherapy industry. The Water Cure in Malvern died out at the end of the C19 and there is considerable scope for learning from the way in which wellness treatments are promoted in Mariánské Lázně. 6. Youth Exchanges Andrew Dennison, our man in Mariánské Lázně, is involved with the Scouts and Guides and we hope that this will lead to reciprocal visits in due course. High Barn/Elements 7. Fellowship Rotary and the lions are represented in the area the Lions in Mariánské Lázně and the nearest Rotary Club is in Karlovy Vary. Page 16

17 8. Educational Exchanges Mariánské Lázně has a world class catering college and we hope that reciprocal visits can be arranged with the Worcester College. We have also approached the upper schools in the Malvern area to see if they might be interested in exchange visits; the interest is limited as most school exchanges relate to the languages being taught and Czech is not top of the list. Page 17

Five Year Plan Malvern Community Partnership Malvern and Mariánské Lázně working together COMMERCE EDUCATION CULTURE 5 Year Plan January 2017. Liaison visit to M.L. 16 th to 20 th (M.

18 Five Year Plan Malvern Community Partnership Malvern and Mariánské Lázně working together COMMERCE EDUCATION CULTURE 5 Year Plan January Liaison visit to M.L. 16 th to 20 th (M.Y) Organising of Car/Bike rally in M.L. town centre and at Long Speedway Track in M.L. Organising Choir/Dancers visit in July Arranging visit of Catering College students from M.L. to Malvern for language tuition and to gain knowledge of U.K. catering industry. February Liaison visit to Malvern (A.D.) Arranging Scouts/Guides reciprocal visits. Accommodating at Warren Oak Centre, Staplow or Highball Centre Hanley Swan. Arrange Golf Tournament. Worcestershire Golf Club/Royal Golf Club Mariánské Lázně/Royal Golf Club Bad Homburg. (A.D. and P.S.) Visit to Prague and M.L of three teaching staff from Malvern St. James from 10th to 13 th February to investigate school visit and performances for July March Liaison visit to M.L. (M.Y.) April Two week visit of Mark Cook of Skoda Owners Club of G.B. to Elektrometall s.r.o. in M.L. for English teaching and induction in Electric Vehicle technology. (M.Y.) May Community Partnership representatives, Mr and Mrs Laurie Gregory, at Opening of the Spa season in M.L. JUNE Dr. Petr Somol in Malvern during Midsummer Malvern event to give lecture dedicated to his father Dr. Antonin Somol. Mariánské Lázně, past, present and future. Visit by Dr. Somol to MRATHS Exhibition at Malvern College and Wyche Innovation Centre. Possible short season of Czech films to coincide with visit of Dr. Petr Somol. Possible visit of Mayor of M.L. Mr. Peter Tresnak and colleagues to pursue links with Three Counties Showground. (M.Y. and A.D.) May Official visit of Malvern s Mayor to Opening of the Spa Season in M.L. July Visit of choir and/or musicians and dancers from Malvern to M.L. as part of the public performance programme held during the summer. Possible visit of Cllr. Ian Hopwood and Mrs. Janet Hopwood to M.L. on behalf of Malvern Community Partnership to plant commemorative Black Pear tree in M.L. Plan to provide item of street furniture. Letterbox / Page 18

19 Phone Box / Street Sign. (I.H.) Particularly apt as it will take place during M.L. s celebration of 200th Year Anniversary. July Visit of choir/folk dancers/jazz Band from the Fredryk Chopin Music Conservatoire in M.L. repeating the success of the visit of Canzona Childrens Choir and Recorder Quartet to Malvern in June (M.T. and C.T.) Various dates. Naming of roads on new housing developments in Malvern. Marienbad* Way and Bohemia Way. (I.H.) Arranging of photographic display in Edith Walk and Church Walk, of aspects of life in M.L. with reciprocal display in M.L. featuring Malvern. (M.Y. and Z.K.) Conclusion. The official and ceremonial links between Malvern and M.L. are being replaced by events developing from the Community Partnership s desire to promote the aims of Commerce, Education and Culture developed over the last five years. In future official visits are planned on a two year alternating cycle. Commencing with the intended visit of the Mayor of Marianske Lazne to Malvern in June 2017, followed by the visit of Malvern s Mayor to M.L. in 2018 for the Opening of the Spa Season. STOP PRESS. The Hills Singers have confirmed their visit to Marianske Lazne during July The town's 200 th Anniversary. Initials. (M.Y.) Mark Young, (A.D.) Andrew Dennison, (P.S.) Petr Somol, (I.H.) Ian Hopwood, (C.P.) Community Partnership, (R.S.) Roger Sutton, (M.T.) and (C.T.) Margaret and Carleton Tarr, (Z.K.) Zdeněk Král, former mayor of M.L. *Marienbad is the German name for M.L. and perfectly acceptable as a substitute where the heavily accented Czech alternative is impractical. Page 19

20 Visit To Jesenik May 2018 Dr and Mrs John Harcup visited Jesenik in the foothills of the Tatra Mountains and the birthplace of Dr Priessnitz the doctor who treated Dr Wilson in Page 20

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MONTECATINI TERME Some notes on a visit to

The spa facilities are located around a central

22 MONTECATINI TERME Some notes on a visit to Montecatini Terme in northern Italy in August Montecatini Terme is twinned with Mariánské Lázně. The spa facilities are located around a central park; there are seventeen spa treatment centres in addition to the municipal spa. Page 22

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25 The water tasting hall seven types of water for different complaints. Page 25

26 New conference facility in the Spa building Page 26

27 The Colonnade Marianske Lazne MALVERN COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP Page 27

HEBDEN ROYD TOWN COUNCIL. MEETING of the TWINNING COMMITTEE held Wednesday 24 h June 2014 MINUTES

HEBDEN ROYD TOWN COUNCIL. MEETING of the TWINNING COMMITTEE held Wednesday 24 h June 2014 MINUTES held Wednesday 24 h June 2014 Councillors; Davenport (Chair from minute 106), Dixon, Rudkin & Timbers. Additionally members of the Hebden Bridge Twinning Society: Dave Parry, Philip Dean and Mike Edwards.