Candidature of the Borough of Eastleigh (Hampshire)
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C0UNCIL OF EUROPE CONSEIL DE L' EUROPE CONFIDENTIAL - Strasbourg 29 January 1982 AS/Loc/Prix (33) .65 PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY [ ! "pACECOM059933 COMMITTEE ON REGIONAL PLANNING AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES Sub-Committee on the Europe Prise and the propagation of the European idea EUROPE PRIZE Candidature of the BOROUGH 0.?1 EASTLEIGH (Hampshire) United Kingdom Replies to the questionnaire 73...S52 01.52 CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL ^ \ AS/Loc/Prix (33) 65 - 2 - A Question 1: Membership in organisation of local authorities ?iep_ly_ . No, but the authority.is interested in taking up membership of one or more of these bodies. Question ?. i Contribution to their activities He ply Wo - the emphasis throughout has been in linking as nany townspeople and. groups as possible with those in other European countries, particularly our twin towns. Question 3= "Twinning" activities Reply Eastleigh enjoys a highly successful tripartite link with; (i) Villeneuve-Saint-Geor.jes in France (since 1963).° and (ii) Kornwestheim. in West Germany (since 1978) Both.Villeneuve-Saint-Georges and Kornwestheim are twinned with each other. Official visits by civic dignitaries are arranged on a regular basis and full programmes of hospitality are organised for visiting town representatives. Concerts, receptions, and visits to local and national places of interest regularly feature in these arrangements, The authority is represented on and contributes fjn-'ncially to a local twinning association which fosters and helps with the cost of links between town groups and individuals. Eastleigh is planning a tripartite ceremony in 19^3 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the twinning link with its French partner. Question 4: Other relations with municipalities abroad Reply A continual prograiaine of visits and exchanges is organised between the three towns. A large number of links has developed between cultural and sports groups., church organisations local schools and individual inhabitants,, the majority of whom exchange on a regular basis. CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL - 3 - AS/Loc/Prix (33) 65 Extremely successful ties have been formed between Eastleigh 'and Kornwestheim carnival groups 'with parties of 80 to 100 people exchanging twice-yearly since 1978 for twin town carnival celebrations. Town choirs«, majorettes (marching groups),, dancing troupes and cubs and scouts all-enthusiastically exchange every year. Sports' links include' rugby, football., tennis 3 swimming, judo and gymnastics clubs.with many others presently being explored. Question 5° Exchange of persons Reply In addition to those mentioned in 3 and 4 aboves the authority has organised since the inception of the twinning link in 1963s annual exchanges of schoolchildren with Villeneuve-Saint-Geor-ges. These exchanges have .now involved well over 1000 children and have made a significant contribution to the twinning arrangements. The exchanges seek to achieve greater understanding of languages and "cultures and are wholeheartedly supported by local schools and parents. Similar links 'are now being established with Kornwestheim schools. ' . Officer visits also take place, both on the basis of straightforward exchanges and as-part of a management experience exercise. In the latter case particular disciplines are selected each year for 2-3 day exchanges. Question 6: 'Organisation of European events Reply Local events with an international theme have been organised, including musical evenings3 wine-tasting events and international dances. Many of the local musical and cultural groups help -with the organisation. Question 7: Europe Day (5 May) Reply Yes3 by flags., posters and advertisements'. CONFIDENTIAL X . V < • CONFIDENTIAL ' '- ' ' ~\ AS/Loc/Prix (33) 65 - 4 - • / Question 8:' Support to European movements • ' " Reply ' ' . • • Eastleigh's principal youth centre, the Eastleigh Youth Centres has recently been provided with dormitory accommodation and can now offer comfortable hostel facilities for -visitors. • and- tourists/-including foreign visitors. The Borough Council , met the" full'cost of the adaptations. .. The centre has been particularly active in the international field, making numerous group visits to the .French and German twin towns and the centre leader has pioneered other exchange links,, particularly with young technicians. Question '9-° Propagation of the European idea Reply , ' - Two competitions are 'presently being organised among local'' schoolchil'dren,, one for the design of a twinning emblem and the other an essay competition'. The local safety committee are also running a safety competition for schoolchildren with a principal prize of a visit to Kornwestheim, the German twin town. The Borough Council are making a financial contribution to the costs. Question 10*: Actions of European solidarity • .' Reply - ' ' - The occasion has not arisen for participation in any Europe-wide appeals but no doubt the council would respond sympathetically to any calls for aid from European partner's.' Question 11: Presentation ' ^ Reply ' •--.-.'/ The council would be most willing to organise a public ceremony to celebrate the award of the Flag of Honour. The council have already attended a ceremony in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges at which the French twin town was presented with this award. (Kornwestheim received the flag prior to its link with Eastleigh.) Question 12: Other initiatives Reply . Town representatives pay annual visits in November to the respective twin towns for Remembrance Day services. Contingents of the British Legion and Red Cross take part in these visits which seek to -serve the cause of European unity. CONFIDENTIAL . :* CONFIDENTIAL AS/Loc/Prix (33)' 65 In the past the town has taken part in trade and art exhibitions in twin town venues and there are efforts to secure tripartite exchanges of disabled townspeople. The authority gives every support to an enthusiastic local twinning organisation and the aim is always to consolidate and improve the successful twinning partnership already in being. The authority also wishes to consider at a later date the extension of their twinning activities into other parts of Europe. Sastleigh - a town and a borough Since local government re-organisation in I97ll'-> the Borough of Eastleigh comprises; A.llbrook9 Bishop-stoke;, .Botley3 Bursledon, Chandlers Fords Eastleigh,. Pair Qak5 . Hamble, Hedge End. Hound (Netley) and West End. This combination has created .an administrative area of almost 203000 acres within which there is a lively mix of industry,, commerce, town and village life and leisure interests. Strategically placed at the centre of a growing area, the borough is most attractive for job opportunity,, housing,, education and recreation,, all designed to meet the wide variety of needs 'and interests of the population (in 1930) of around 91S'000 people. CONFIDENTIAL.