A tripartite visit takes place every year, usually in May, when one town hosts the other two towns for a three day visit.  They invite 30 people from each visiting town to be the guests of the Association members staying in their own homes.  We travel out on Thursday and return the following Monday.  Our Mayor and Mayoress with senior Councillors and an Officer of the council who are the guests of the host town Council form a Civil Delegation.

Traditionally the weekend includes a formal Gala Dinner with two days of guided tours to places of interest.  The third day is free for hosts to show guests their town and the surrounding areas whilst Sunday evening rounds off the visit with a farewell party.

At the Gala Dinner each year the "Pax Optima" Cup is  presented to the Town which will host the next year's tripartite meeting. This cup was presented by the European Union in 1993 to mark 30 years of partnership by the 3 towns and for the contribution to further friendship between the people of Europe.

Past visits have been:-

Tripartite Meeting in Autun May 21th - May 25th 2009

This visit again renewed long term friendships whilst forging new relationships. Friday and part of Sunday were free of organised events to let hosts arrange activities for their guests. On Friday these ranged from exploring historic Autun, shopping at the local market, visits to nearby towns of Saulieu, Cluny and Bourbon, the Château de Cormetin, Morvan National Park, an ecumenical Christian service at the Taize Community, and wine tasting in Couches.

Saturday was a full day with group visits to the historic Fontenay Abbey, wine tasting at one of France's oldest wineries and then lunch and free time in picturesque Fevigny sur Ozerain, famous for its aniseed and location for the movie 'Chocolat'.  The evening's gala dinner/dance was at Autun's l'Eduen.

Sunday morning allowed time to attend local church services or relax before an organised visit to the Musee Rolin and the former prison. Apart from a sudden downpour on Thursday night the weather was glorious with temperatures reaching 32 deg. Pedaloes on Lac de Settons provided an afternoon respite for some. One group of ladies went to the Tibetan Buddhist Temple near Oublon whilst the men took to the golf course. Early evening everyone gathered at the theatre for a concert of Burgundian music played on traditional instruments and a talented and versatile group of child pianists. Another wine-tasting at the Town Hall before visitors spent their final night with hosts. Venues varied from a barbecue, visit to the local pizzeria, family birthday celebration and dancing at a nearby discotheque.

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2008 - Ingelheim

 

Friday we had a guided tour of the town of Worms, followed by lunch and then free time for sightseeing or shopping.

Saturday we had a free day with our hosts, followed by a Gala evening in the gym at Ober- Ingelheim. The Mayors of the guest towns presented gifts to the Host Town with each making a speech following which the Rotwein Königin and two Rotwein Prinzessinnen (Red Wine Queen and two Princesses) also spoke, one in each language, to welcome us all to their town.

Sunday afternoon took us to Bingen to the garden festival by the Rhine. Then on to the Rustic Evening at the "Alte Ziegelei" (former brick factory) for a barbecue and sing song which drew our visit to an end .

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2007 - Stevenage

Our first day was free for our hosts to entertain their guests and a number went to London and toured the Palace of Westminster. 

St Albans was chosen for one visit with a guided tour of the Abbey and Cathedral as well as time to wander through the town centre and the street market.  Our Gala Dinner was in the Knebworth Barns where diners where entertained by a harpist during dinner. After the usual speeches from the Mayors and  the Rotwein Königin and Prinzessinen, the Resident DJ played a variety of music which kept the dancers on the floor.

Sunday was blighted by poor weather but we explored the town of Windsor and enjoyed an audio tour of the State Apartments of Windsor Castle.  Returning to Stevenage for the evening saw us at the Leisure Centre for the Barbecue with the Mood Jazz Band playing for dancing.  During the evening hosts took their guests to see the Stevenage Tapestry and a video displayed images of the 3 towns - 1 vision project and an early version of this website.  The farewell party wound up after a sing song in which each town took its turn to lead the singing.

 

 

 

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