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Calderdale section.
The CSTA was set up in 1993 to foster links between the inhabitants of Calderdale in Yorkshire, England and those of Strakonice in the Czech Republic. The Association has branches in both towns where it is run by members. The committees meet regularly to organise visits between the two towns and occaisional social and fund-raising events. The visits are usually eligible for EC grants towards travelling expenses and also administrative and entertaining expenses.
Membership of the Calderdale Association is open to anyone living in or connected with Calderdale or who have an interest in Strakonice or the Czech Republic. New members are very welcome and should contact the secretary who will put them on the mailing list for notification of coming meetings and events.
Strakonice is situated in Southern Bohemia, about 100 Kms from Prague and 50 Kms from the German border. From Calderdale to Strakonice is about 1600 Kms by car and ferry. The area is largely rural with agriculture and pisciculture (fish farming) being important activities. The town of Strakonice has several important factories which produce textiles and components for the car industry. There is also and excellent brewery.
The surrounding countryside is steeped in history and has many interesting historical and picturesque sites. The town organises an International Bagpipe Festival every two years at the end of August. Visits from Calderdale have often been planned to co-incide with this festival. Among the participants are musicians and folk dancers from many countries including the UK and Scotland. The local Association arranges a full programme of visits and social events for the visitors from Calderdale who live with families whilst they are there.
The Calderdale Association arranges similar visits and events when there is a visit from Strakonice to Calderdale.
For more information please contact John Thomas, Treasurer, at:
john@sdchem.demon.co.uk, or Tel: 01484 713697 Fax. 01484 711026 or Pamela Norrington, Secretary, at: 01484 843004 or email Pamela.Norrington@tesco.net
This section will be updated regularly. Fourth update 23 December 1999. Sorry about the long delay in updating. We had a wonderful visit of 12 persons from Strakonice in August.
Attached are copies of: 1. Minutes of meetings held on 8 June 1999.
2. NEW> Minutes of meeting held on 14 December 1999.
The next meeting will be the AGM to be held on Tuesday February 8th 2000 at the Halifax Town Hall. The meeting will begin at 19:30.
(Posted 3 July) Minutes of the CSTA Meeting held on Tuesday 8th June 1999 In Room C, the Town Hall, Halifax
Present Pamela Norrington, John Thomas, Dave Godfrey, Liz Godfrey, Helen Lunt, John Sheppard, Jane Sheppard, Helen Cooper, Chris O'Connor, Arthur Welhan, Marilyn Welham, Colin Rose.
Apologies Dave Cooper, Dorothy O'Connor, Karen Sykes, Helen Leader, John Rodgers, Ann Teasdale.
1. The August Visit Accommodation: offers were confirmed as follows: Helen & Dave Cooper: 2 (same sex or couple) Liz & Dave Godfrey: 2 (same sex or couple) Helen Lunt: 2 Pamela & Gerry Norrington 2 John Thomas: 2 Mike & Joan Walker 2
John Rodgers can offer accommodation during the second week if required. Carol Hirst has offered as reserve if required.
2. The Programme Please see the attached programme.
Guides/volunteers will arrange to meet and plan "their" trips in detail ready for the next meeting and subsequent inclusion in the final version of the programme which will then be distributed to all interested parties.
Helen Lunt will contact the Mayor's secretary to ask for a meeting with the Mayor during the period of the visit. Helen will also contact the Halifax Courier to arrange publicity of the visit. John Thomas will investigate minibus hire.
Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 13th July 1999 at 7.30pm in the Town Hall, Halifax
Calderdale-Strakonice Twinning Association Chair: Miss Helen Lunt Treasurer: John Thomas Secretary: Pamela Norrington Business Links: Chris O'Connor
NEW. posted 23/12/99. Minutes of the CSTA Meeting held on Tuesday 14 December 1999.
Present: Ann Teasdale; Marie Collinge; Roy Collinge; Chris O'Connor; Colin Rose; Helen Lunt; John Thomas; Alan Hardwicke; Pat Hardwicke; Liz Godfrey; Helen Cooper; Dave Cooper; Marilyn Welham; Pamela Norrington; John Sheppard; Jane Sheppard.
Apologies Dave Godfrey; John Rodgers; Ginny Feeney; Dorothy O'Connor; Barry Sykes; Karen Sykes; Arthur Welham.
Minutes of the last meeting held on 13 July 1999 were read and accepted as a true record.
Matters Arising: Helen Lunt felt that press coverage of the August visit had been excellent this time and suggested that TV coverage might be possible in the future.
Correspondence: The CSTA had received a Christmas card from the Mayor. Also an invitation to A Christmas Celebration 18/12/99 in the Town Hall. Pamela Norrington had received letters, cards and e-mails from Czech participants thanking everyone for a wonderful trip.
Membership update: The current mailing list was distributed. two names were deleted (Gisela Lenze & Cynthia Greenwood); two changes of address were recorded (Colin Rose & Chris O'Connor): Project Challenge was found to have been omitted from the list. There are currently 15 paid-up households representing 24 members plus Project Challenge.
August 1999 Visit: Feedback from participants on both sides had been very positive. The following points were made to be borne in mind for the planning of future visits: 1) The Czech Visitors had found that some days were too long; 2) That unscheduled late returns were to be avoided as being disruptive to host families. 3) That less time spent driving in the minibus and more time out and about would be preferable. 4) Some participants had especially enjoyed the walking elements and it was suggested that more alternative activities could be offered for those who are less active. Eg as happened in Wales when one group walked up a mountain whilst the others explored the town and the beach.
The total cost of the visit this year was £2970, which included the Czech contribution of £600 and £750 from CSTA. The current bank balance stands at £ 1246. As yet we have not received the EU grant.
A.O.B. 1) Roy Collinge reported a Proposed Official Visit 22-26 March 2000 This would comprise Mr Kalbač, Oldrich Pazderniki, and the Secretary of the Strakonice Council. He went on to give a report of the Calderdale Council visit to Strakonice 21-25 October 1999, during which the Twinning was officially reaffirmed. 2) Franta Saček and Šaka? will be on work experience in Calderdale from 3rd March 2000 for a period of 3 weeks. Their intention is to polish their English in preparation for the official visit. Franta will be hosted by Marie and Roy Collinge but anyone wishing to offer him accommodation for a part of the time should contact them. We are also looking for hosts for Šaka - again for all or part of the time.
3) Peter Horne of Hebden Bridge Saints Football Club is expecting a return visit from Strakonice footballers. The group will arrive of Friday 26 May 2000 and leave on Thursday 1 June (Spring Bank Holiday week). It will comprise 14 boys and 4/5 adult leaders who will be hosted by HBSFC. However it is expected that the spare places on the bus would be taken up by other interested parties and CSTA have been asked if we could host any such visitors, providing accommodation only, as a programme of activities would be arranged by HBSFC).
4) Pamela Norrington had been in Strakonice in October 1999 and had been asked by the Mayor of Radomyšl for an explanation as to why Chris O'Connor had not been on the Official Visit, when he had been specifically invited. Although this is not a matter for the CSTA it was felt by the meeting that this failure of communication on the Civic side does impinge on the CSTA in that it has potential for damaging relations between the two areas. Chris O'Connor agreed to write to Míla Oberfalzer to explain Calderdale Council's decision to send only two people.
5) Dave Cooper reported that VSO are seeking accommodation for 18 youngsters of Sri Lankan and UK origins who will be on a programme in the Brighouse area from the end of January 2000 for a period of three months. Accommodation is required for a pairs of young people. Please contact Dave if you can help.
6) Dave Cooper reported on the recent Twin Links Committee meeting in which it was revealed that - Ludenscheid is developing a joint website. - Todmorden invites all to join them at the Oddfellows at 8pm 26/01/00 - Twin Links Quiz will probably be held at the NALGO bar on a Thursday evening sometime in February 2000.
7) John Thomas presented his expenses of £140.69 and was reimbursed (expenses connected with August visit).
Date of Next Meeting: The Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday February 8th 2000 in Room C Town Hall, Halifax.
The Thomas family would be pleased to offer one week accommodation to Franta or Sacha during their 3 week stay in Calderdale.
Chairperson.
Helen Lunt, 42, Stansfield Road, Todmorden, OL14 5DT
Tel. 01706 812009
Secretary.
Pam Norrington, 6, Clough House Lane, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield. HD7 5UP.
Tel. 01484 843004 E-mail Pamela.Norrington@tesco.net
Treasurer.
John Thomas, No 2, The Grange, 100, Huddersfield Road, Brighouse, HD6 3RH.
Tel. 01484 713697. Fax. 01484 711026. E-mail. john@sdchem.demon.co.uk
Publicity Officer.
Position vacant. All members are invited to make some publicity and submit articles to local papers etc.
Business Links Officer.
Chris O'Conner, 1, Highland Villa, Hipperholme, HX3
Tel. 01422 201494
