The City of Leicester European Twinning Association was originally a partnership between the City Council and other individuals or member organizations seeking to encourage an interchange of information between Leicester and its Twinned Cities in Europe, namely Strasbourg, Krefeld and Haskovo. For many years the City Council has given a grant to assist with these activities.
However, the City Council can no longer pay these grants, so our Association now seeks to carry on these activities on its own – in due course seeking sponsorship to replace the City grant.
Our president is the Lord Mayor of Leicester, who usually attends our two general meetings – and this will continue to be the case in our new environment. The activities of the Association are overseen by a committee, which is elected annually from the members.
The Association is a voluntary body which aims to give advice, contacts and financial support to members, especially organizations which seek to exchange educational, cultural and sporting activities with any of our Twinned Cities in Europe.
Membership is open to individuals, schools and organizations, living, working and playing in the Leicester and Greater Leicester area. Current membership includes Schools, Colleges, Choirs, the Leicester Symphony Orchestra, Football, Volleyball and Rugby Clubs (both men and ladies), the Police, the Fire & Rescue Services and the Chamber of Commerce.
Aims of the organisation:
- An opportunity to meet like-minded people.
- Discovering new people, places and cultures.
- Obtaining financial support.
Committee Members:
| Chair | Fred Rankin | International Police Association |
| Deputy Chair and | John Townsend | East Midlands Chamber of Commerce |
| Acting Secretary | ||
| Treasurer | Ammarah Mota | Representing the Director of Finance of the City Council |
| Jerry Askham | Leicestershire Fire & Rescue Service | |
| Hilary Blackmore | Family Member | |
| Rita D’Silva Griffiths | Judgemeadow Community College | |
| Jenny Hand | Leicester Symphony Orchestra | |
| Devi Singh | Conservative Councillor | |
| Viv Rankin | Family Member | |
| Deepak Bajaj | Labour Councillor |
Corporate Members (and their representatives):
| East Midlands Chamber of Commerce | Lucy Granger |
| International Police Association | Fred Rankin |
| Judgemeadow Community College
Leicester Athena Volleyball Club |
Rita D’Silva Griffiths
Paul Kaerger |
| Leicester City Ladies Football Club | Sue Foulkes |
| Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service | Jerry Askham |
| Leicester French Circle | Rob Ellwood |
| Leicester Symphony Orchestra | Jenny Hand |
| Leicester University chamber choir | Ella Smith |
| University of Leicester Orchestra | Elinor Boese |
| The Mighty Creatives – arts, creativity and culture for young people | Nick Owen |
| Leicester Masters swimming club | Craig Atton |