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Mayor of Bridgwater, Councillor Ken Richards will be travelling to Uherske Hradiste in September- not just for their famous Wine festival - but to re-sign the Twinning Document between our 2 towns.
The new document has been suggested by the European Union for all twinned communities with more detail and to turn existing links into stronger and more effective contracts between Local Authorities to boost cultural, sporting,educational and business exchanges.
Bridgwater and Uherske Hradiste became the first British and Czech towns to formally twin after the velvet revolution which saw the collapse of Communism in East Europe and eventually paved the way for the Czechs (and Slovaks) to join the EU.
The twinning document was signed in Bridgwater on June 18th 1992 (the 50th anniversary to the day of the Battle in the Crypt at Resslova in Prague where Czech/Slovak freedom fighters Gabcik and Kubis were killed fighting Fascism).
The twinning link was started by Brian Smedley and Antonin Machala and Ken Richards was the first Bridgwater Mayor to welcome Mr Machala to our town (see picture above from September 1991).
The new twinning charter will be signed in Uherske Hradiste on Saturday 12 September.
Newly launched into cyberspace is the long awaited interactive website which tells the history of the 1938 Vernon Bartlett 'anti Fascist' election in Bridgwater that was core to the setting up of the Bridgwater Czech-Slovak link.
Click on the web link above and go straight to it!
At a meeting at Bridgwaters ENGINE ROOM almost 70 years to the date of the election (which also shares its anniversary with the Czech 'Velvet Revolution', Czech society secretary previewed the site which draws on local source material, interviews with people involved in the 38 campaign and rare footage of both the election, the struggle against fascism and the more recent stage production by the Sheep Worrying theatre company which rediscovered this important part of local history.
"The aim of the web site is so that people can rediscover a proud moment in Bridgwaters history and be aware of the dangers of fascism and how our ancesters fought it and how we still have to be wary of it today!" Said Cllr Smedley in a nice red jumper.
Every year for the past 10, the SEDGEMOOR UNISON footbal team has toured East Europe and on most occaisions Antonin Machalas ALTECH team has joined them. The tours have included the Czech republic 3 times, Slovakia,Hungary,Lithuania,Poland,Slovenia,Montenegro and Croatia.
This year the Uherske Hradiste workers X1 will be in Bridgwater and playing a celebratory match against the Council boys at the Bridgwater town Ground (Fairfax Park) on Friday 2nd october. Kick off 5pm. All welcome.
Altech will also be playing against a BRIDGWATER INTERNATIONAL X1 on the morning of Saturday 3rd october....players now desperately sought after...
The weekend will coincide with the famous BRIDGWATER FAIR. On the sunday the czechs will watch the Arsenal v Blackburn match (so long as they support Blackburn)
Pravo
Halo Noviny
The Sedgemoor Unison team (right) who cancelled their Bosnia trip this year when they realised their 'free bus passes' stopped at Dover.
Lidovky.cz
CZECH NEWS LINKS
Cesky Rozhlas
BOOK NOW FOR 2010 PROJECTS
For up to date news from the Czech republic click on the picture above (in English) and below (in Czech)
Bridgwater has a new Polish Community web site. Click on the picture above to access it.
Old Town Square Prague;-Picture by Martin Peters
As our 2009 season draws to a close we are now eager to get dates in diaries for 2010 (or winter 2009 if you;re keen!!)
It's largely been a year of 'Staycation' (as helped by the recession and the Media) with not so many UK groups travelling abroad. However LOTS of Czech groups have been over here - including tours of Scotland,Ireland and Wales - and all keen to repeat trips for next year or to seek out new destinations .
Our Euro links now include particularly good contacts in both the Czech and Slovak republics but also in Poland,Lithuania and the former Yugoslavia - particularly Slovenia.
Both Bridgwater College and Richard Huish college have taken groups to Europe with us in 2009 and Rhode Lane Wanderers (pictured below) have been excellent in their support for visiting czech youth football teams.
Click on the photo of Marsa (left) on find out more about Bridgwaters Maltese twinning link
Pic left by IAN BEECH. In the event that someone wants to buy copies of the photos, prices are 8"x6" £9.00, A4 £15.00, 16"x12" £20.00 delivered to you (or + P&P if sent to Czech Republic).
