Blog Archives

Mayor George Ferguson signed the European Charter on Women’s Rights on Friday March 8th, International Women’s Day, in the presence of representatives of many groups in the city, including Ann Kennard of Bristol-Hannover Council.  Bristol was the first UK city to do this, and we understand that Hannover and Oporto have already done so.  Mayor Ferguson pledged to set up a Women’s Commission for Bristol to develop the key issues for women locally, in particular those of poverty, violence and discrimination.  He said he would rely on the Commission to help him to deliver on these promises. ...

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As a result of a regional twinning event in November 2012 held at the CityMuseum to explore European funding possibilities for Twinning and European Integration, facilitated by the Media Diversity Institute and Alix Hughes of the Bristol International Twinnings Association, Bristol-Hannover Chair, Ann Kennard, attended the AGM of the South Glos Twinning Forum on Thursday 7th March 2013.  Twinning representatives from Filton, Patchway, Yate and Sodbury and District were present, and a useful discussion took place concerning the different activities of the twinnings, and in particular possibilities...

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Congratulations to the Bristol Hannover team, who reclaimed the Paul Garland Trophy by winning the Bristol International Twinnings Association Annual Quiz, held at the Black Swan pub, Westbury-on-Trym. In a closely fought contest, Bristol Hannover held off very strong challenges with Bristol China Partnership pushing them all the way and with Bristol Bordeaux coming in a very close third. Particular credit, however, must go to Bristol Beira, who participated with only two members (three if you count the pub’s dog, which set up camp at their table!) Many thanks to Bristol Tbilisi for organising...

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Bristol Hannover Council Member Almut “Allie” Dunnington and her husband Phil, who run the "Gone With the Wind" hot air balloon tour company and consultancy recently had their work made into a film. In collaboration with Allie and Phil, German channel ZDF and Franco-German channel ARTE, Marco Polo Film AG produced a five-part documentary series on the world's greatest balloon adventures. So it was that on 28th February 2013 that Allie and Phil gave a very interesting presentation at City Hall to members of Bristol Tbilisi Association and Bristol Hannover Council. Their presentation began...

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In February 2013, Airline bmi regional announced the launch of three new European routes from Bristol Airport with flights from Bristol to Munich, Milan and Hannover. Bristol Hannover Council greatly welcomes the new direct flight connection to Hannover. Please see below for a statement from BHC written by our longest serving member Dr John Veale. “Bristol-Hannover Council rejoices in the prospect of an air-link between Bristol and Hannover, and congratulates bmi on their initiative. Bristol-Hannover Council was founded in 1947. Since then many thousands of Bristolians have travelled to Hannover,...

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Having very much enjoyed our visit to the Bristol Watershed on 29th September 2012 to see "Barbara" (2012), we ventured that way again on 23rd February 2013, this time to see “Lore” (2012). From director Cate Shortland (“Somersault”) it is a gripping story about five siblings raised during the 1930s trying to adjust to life in post-war Germany. With a pre-film gathering in the Watershed bar for food and drink, a great time was had by all. See you there again when the next German film is on.  

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On Monday 11th February we celebrated ‘Rosenmontag’ at the Black Swan pub in Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol. Rosenmontag is the name given in the Rhineland to what is known elsewhere in Germany as ‘Fasching’, and in other countries of Europe as ‘mardi gras’ - it is a very big day in Germany/Austria. So it was in the true Germanic spirit that we gathered for an evening of German food, drink and good spirits, accompanied by traditional “Karneval” music. We were also honoured to be joined by the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Peter Main, who sang along to the “Karneval” songs with...

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The Lord Mayor, Councillor Peter Main, joined Bristol-Hannover Council on Sunday to enjoy the fun and food at this year’s German Market in Broadmead.  Harry Wegener of Wela, the firm in Osnabrück which organises the Christmas Market here in Bristol, was delighted to welcome 20 Germanophiles for Bratwurst, Wiener Schnitzel, Bratkartoffeln and Glühwein.  The Lord Mayor was given a tour of the stalls in Broadmead, sampling a crepe with cinnamon as he went, and admiring the rock salt candles and half-timbered house ornaments with incense candles sending smoke up the chimney.

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On 24th November 2012, members of Bristol Hannover Council joined fellow twinning associations from Bristol and the surrounding regions at the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery for a day of discussions. The event was organised by the Bristol International Twinnings Association (BITA) and the Media Diversity Institute. The main focus was for Twinning Association members to share their experiences and learn about ways to apply for European funding for local projects. After a morning when members from all associations came up with excellent ideas to promote the value of twinning, Inna Petrenko from...

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Students of English from the Goetheschule in Hannover recently visited their counterparts in Cotham School, who are studying German. They and their hosts were warmly welcomed by the Lord Mayor at the Mansion House, and enjoyed tea and biscuits in this lovely building. This is the 17th year of their exchange, which started in the run-up to the 50th anniversary of the Bristol-Hannover city partnership in 1997. In 1995/6 a group of VI formers travelled with what was then called the ‘adult exchange’ – the exchange of citizens which still takes place in alternate years between the two cities,...

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