The Stevenage-Ingelheim-Autun Association
3 towns - 1 vision
An exciting opportunity for Stevenage youth to visit Autun
27th July to 1st August 2012
* are you aged 15 – 19 yrs? * * live, study or work in Stevenage? *
* maybe learning French or German? *
* want to learn and have fun with young people from our twin towns? *
* would like the opportunity to visit them? *
If you are interested in joining the group
or want to find out more about the trip please contact:
Andy Hills 07905320530 or email tsiaa@hotmail.co.uk
Facebook: 3 towns – 1 vision Official Link
‘3 towns - 1 vision’ is the name given to an exciting new project designed to bring together and actively involve the young people of Stevenage, with those from Ingelheim in Germany and Autun in France, under its Town Twinning arrangement.
The ‘3 towns - 1 vision’ project was initiated by The Stevenage-Ingelheim-Autun Association in November 2004, when a small working group was formed. This group comprised professional adults who have considerable experience in project and financial management, logistics and the care of young people.
The objectives of the project are to:
Extend links and exchanges between the youth of Stevenage, Ingelheim and Autun through joint meetings promoting understanding and awareness of each others' culture and way of life.
Encourage European citizenship through a structured programme of events designed to promote friendship and European awareness.
Develop the exchange of experience relating to local environmental, language and social identities.
3 towns - 1 vision 2011
This year young people from Ingelheim and Autun joined hosts Stevenage for an enjoyable stay at Cheshunt Youth Hostel. Two Youth Leaders from each town accompanied the group. For most of the young people it was their first visit to England and they were looking forward to seeing the sights of London.
A varied programme was organised which included a sight seeing and shopping trip in London, Raft building and problem solving at the Young Mariners Centre Cheshunt, an interesting trip around the Olympic Park and surrounding area of Docklands, followed in the evening by a Disco with a local Stevenage group JN Sounds which was enjoyed by all.
Cll Sherma Batson MBE DL – Portfolio Holder for Community, Health and Older People, presented the popular and educational EU presentation morning.
All enjoyed an interesting tour of the Old and New Town Stevenage and an invitation to join the Mayor Councillor Carol Latif for lunch which included a visit to the Council Chambers.
The Mayor and Consort attended a fabulous farewell BBQ evening at the Youth Hostel.
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3 towns – 1 vision 2010
This year young people from Stevenage and Ingelheim joined their French counterparts from Autun.
Stevenage Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Michael Downing and Mrs Aideen Downing, were at the railway station to see them off on their Eurostar and TGV train journey. Later all three groups were welcomed at a civic reception at the Autun Town Hall by Mayor Rémi Rebeyrotte.
The groups stayed at the village of Collonge la Madeleine at the CPIE centre, an organisation promoting ecology and the environment. Staff from the centre led a day of fishing and nature walks in the nearby countryside. The young people also had time for a picnic at the Brisacou Waterfall, bowling, swimming, shopping and a last night barbecue.
During their stay the young people joined in a discussion on the EU and its future, lead by former diplomat at the EU and United Nations, Rudiger Lemp, who also served as German Ambassador to Nepal. Each group also made a short presentation of their own town.
The 5 days activities included visits to the historic towns of Beaune and Nolay, a treasure trail around Autun's medieval old town followed by a workshop where they were able to dress up in costume and sample various spices and drinks from the period. In the Roman amphitheatre they tried their hand at Roman games and enjoyed a late night performance of the annual Augustodonum spectacular, complete with chariot race.
Further photographs are on the Ingelheim Association website at::
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3 towns – 1 vision 2009 - Ingelheim hosted this, the fifth 3 towns – 1 vision event which was based at the Youth Hostel in Bingen, over looking the River Rhine. It was held from 24 to 29 July and the groups comprised: 14 young people from Stevenage with 12 from Ingelheim and 11 from Autun, and there were 2 leaders from each of the three towns.
An exciting programme included a walking tour of Bingen; a boat trip on the River Rhine (a UNESCO World Heritage Site); a Treasure Hunt in the picturesque town of Bacharach and a guided tour of Mainz.
The trip is best summed up by a group of the young people representing Stevenage who took part:
"Over our visit to Ingelheim this year, we discovered new cultures, new skills, and life-long friends from our twinned towns Ingelheim (in Germany) and Autun (in France)."
"We were welcomed to Ingelheim with a BBQ of traditional German food, after which we broke the ice with a hallway sing-song, initiated by the talented French. We explored the local area and surrounding towns during the day and in the evenings we were given free time to socialise and form greater bonds with our new friends."
"The German scenery was beautiful, and we were very lucky to have stayed in a youth hostel overlooking the River Rhine, and many picturesque vineyards and castles."
"During the five days we were there, we formed close links with everyone and were devastated when we had to leave them on our last day."
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3 towns – 1 vision in the future – The vision was that this would become an annual event which is being realised through the enthusiasm of the organisers in Stevenage, Ingelheim and Autun and with the full support of the three towns’ councils. The project is being acclaimed by all three Councils as a way of encouraging young people to become involved in international matters.
Costs – The costs of the annual events are met by the Town Twinning Associations with support from the Town Councils. A contribution is also made by each participant.
In 2005 the Stevenage organisers also obtained a grant from the Awards for All Fund of the National Lottery. And in 2008 grants were obtained from the European Commission, Stevenage Community Trust and the Rotary Club of Stevenage; donations were received from the Stevenage Borough Council and The W & M Morriss Trust; together with the Association's various fund raising activities.
Who can take part? – The project, whilst limited in numbers, is open to young people aged between 15 and 19 years of age who either live, work or study in Stevenage. If you qualify and are keen to learn more about this exciting opportunity, we would like to hear from you. Please click here to contact us.