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:-

Stevenage 2010

This visit again renewed long term friendships as well as new friendships. Friday was free of organised events to let hosts arrange activities for their guests, these included a trip to Cambridge with a ride on a Punt, trips to London, and a narrowboat along the River Lee up to Stansted Abbots.

Saturday started with a visit to Hertford County Hall with a reception by Councillor Bernard Lloyd, Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council, followed by light refreshments and a tour around the building. Then free time to explore Hertford for some for its history, others for retail therapy, before returning to Stevenage for the Gala Dinner in the evening at the Stevenage Leisure Centre. 

Sunday we took off to Hatfield House with refreshments in the Old Palace, before the bilingual guided tours of Hatfield House. After lunch there was free time to visit the gardens, St Etheldreda's Church and the gift shop. Then on to the Ramada Cromwell, for a Hog Roast with Cockney music entertainment from Gordon Bennett and the Pearly Cock Sparrows.  Everyone enjoyed the evening, joining in with the singing (ably assisted by the songsheets where required!) and the dancing.

Finally, on Monday morning it was a sad but fond farewell to our guests from Ingelheim and Autun.

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 Autun 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.  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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Ingelheim 2008

 

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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