Planning has begun for Richmond’s twinning affirmation with Konstanz and Fontainebleau next June, including information and opportunities for the voluntary and community sector (VCS) to get involved.

The twinning affirmation will take place on the weekend of the 6-8 June 2025, with an overall theme of Youth and Future.

Up to 500 guests are expected and it is planned as an event for the whole borough, with lots of opportunities for residents to get involved.

Reaffirmation usually takes place every five years but as Richmond’s year to host fell in the 2020, this is the first time it has happened since 2015. Richmond will not host again until 2040.

The key contacts for the planning and delivery of the twinning events are:

• Josie Cachia Local Growth Information Officer Richmond & Wandsworth (main admin contact)  
• Alan Mockford Chair of Richmond in Europe Association (REA) – REA are the lead VCS organisation for the event.

The outline of this special weekend so far is as follows:

Friday 6 June:

Two Civic Receptions to accommodate the large numbers at Orleans House Gallery and Stein’s Richmond.

Saturday 7 June:

Main day of activity including a stage in Richmond Town Centre.

Sunday 8 June:

Church Service at St Mary’s followed by a parade from Marble Hill Park to York House, including flag throwers from Konstanz, marching bands and dance groups. The parade will finish in York House Gardens where there will be a picnic and more performances.

In the evening there will be a performance by the European Youth Orchestra made up of over 100 young people from the three towns and other towns that they are twinned with in Italy, Poland and the Ukraine. This will be at the Landmark Arts Centre.

This celebratory occasion is very much open to groups and organisations providing activity and events that foster the spirit of twinning. These do not have to specifically take place over 6-8 June 2025. They can be planned before and after, to encourage the idea of the ongoing relationship.

Things already planned are:

• Students from Richmond College will paint a series of murals celebrating the twinned towns and cities on the A316 underpass which will be unveiled on 2 October 2024 by a visiting dignitary from Germany.

• On 4-8 May 2025, students from Orleans Park School will join youth delegates from across Europe in Konstanz to focus on the Climate Emergency. Konstanz was the first German city to declare a Climate Emergency and is very dedicated to environmental initiatives 

Opportunities for involvement 

• Leaflet – Richmond Council is producing a large leaflet of events in three languages with a map listing all related events, before, during and after the weekend. The deadline for copy is 31 March 2025.

• Music Stage for Youth Performers – there will be a music stage in Richmond Town Centre on Saturday 7 June for youth groups to perform. Musicians from France and Germany will also take part. The deadline to express interest to take part is 30 November 2024.

• Public Parade – the parade on Sunday 8 June will be advertised to the public to come and watch. This will be an opportunity to promote your organisation as well as celebrate the important role you play in the borough.  Richmond Council are also encouraging uniform, cultural and other costumed groups to get involved too. The intention is to make it as colourful and celebratory as possible. The deadline to express interest in taking part is 30 November 2024 – please indicate if you are attending as an individual or group and, if as a group, an estimate of how many will be in your group.

• Perform at the Picnic – there is opportunity for musicians, bands and performers at the picnic in York House Gardens, following the Parade . The deadline to express interest is 30 November 2024.  Richmond Council will contact groups after this date to confirm plans.

The contact for all the above is josephine.cachia@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk. 

Richmond Civic Pride funding is available to support all twinning related events. Up to £5,000 is available for constituted organisations, and up to £1,000 for informal groups. There is a 10-week decision time. Your activity or event can take place before, during or after the twinning weekend.

Find a partner!

If you want an organisational partner in either twin, contact REA, and they will be happy to facilitate this. You do not have to have a partner to take part in the weekend.

Visit the Richmond Council Twinned Town webpage here.

Notes prepared by Heather Mathew, Children and Young Peoples Strategic Lead Manager, from information shared at the twinning reaffirmation information evening on 9 September 2024.