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Cambridge-Heidelberg Partnership Association
(basic information)
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General Details
Heidelberg and Cambridge have been officially "twinned" since 1965, following exchanges since 1957. Exchanges, particularly those at Easter, occur on the principle that a host group is responsible for accommodation, food and entertainment (usually in families), and the guest group for transport to the hosts. Exchanges are reciprocated, usually the following year, and it is expected that any new guest group should be prepared to reciprocate by hosting an equivalent sized group. Adult leaders are required for groups of young people.
Exchanges are particularly encouraged for younger age-groups (the current definition from the German side appears to be under 27 years old). A group that wishes to exchange informs the Committee in its own city, and the other Committee is then informed, and seeks a match. In Cambridge, the Committee is that of the Cambridge-Heidelberg Partnership Association (a totally volunteer Committee); in Heidelberg, the Committee is that of the Stadtjugendring, an organisation that is the umbrella group for youth activities (particularly sports) in the city. The Stadtjugendring is run by a part employed, part volunteer group of people. Each body is supported by the council of its city.
The Easter Festival
The Easter Festival, during which many groups exchange at the same time, for a week, has been held since 1980. It currently runs from Good Friday to the following Friday. The Committee arrange an opening event and a closing evening. Groups are sometimes able to share arrangements for outings - this is organised between the Group Leaders in Cambridge.
Recently the number of young people exchanging at Easter has declined, and we would like to reverse this trend.
Examples of Groups
Groups that have previously joined the Easter Festival, or have been put in touch in the past to arrange their own exchanges at times other than Easter include:
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adult education students,
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church musicians,
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Scottish dancers,
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Motor Boat Club,
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table tennis players,
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political parties,
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health care workers,
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ramblers,
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young footballers,
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swimmers,
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trade union members,
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rowers,
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friendship group,
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PHAB,
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CSD Brass (Cambridge),
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tourist guides,
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Shelford Rugby Club,
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Homerton Gymnastics Club,
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Hereward Heat
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Some of the Cambridge schools exchange with schools in Heidelberg, and there is a youth orchestra course in the summer (involving Montpellier as well).
(The Cambridge Canoe Club frequently exchanges at Easter, but the canoeists are not seen by other groups, as they go elsewhere than Cambridge or Heidelberg for more exciting water!)
How to make contact
If a new Cambridge group wishes to be involved, particularly at Easter, then the Cambridge contact should write an invitation (addressed to "To whom it may concern" or "Christine Siegfried" - the chair of the Stadtjugendring Partnership Committee - or to the Cambridge-Heidelberg Partnership Committee, to pass on), indicating what sort and number of guests are welcome (interests, ages, genders), and send it to
The Cambridge-Heidelberg Partnership Committee
Twinning Services
The Guildhall
Cambridge
so that it may be given to the Cambridge-Heidelberg Partnership Association Committee, who will forward it to Heidelberg.
Once contacts have been found for a "match" of groups in Cambridge and Heidelberg, arrangements are made between the two groups themselves.
Normally, a guest group exchanging in a new "match" will be expected to issue a reciprocal invitation the following Easter.
The Committees urge that they are kept informed of numbers invited and accepting; it has been found that this helps prevent more people coming than can be put up!
(This page was last updated 12 March 2008)