Published on 16th June 2016

Twin town of Annecy showing canal and old town area

An impressive selection of photographs, capturing life in twin towns Cheltenham and Annecy will go on display at The Wilson from 20 June until 12 July.

The photographs are the result of a competition hosted by Cheltenham Borough Council and La Ville d’Annecy, in partnership with their respective camera clubs.

Residents – amateurs not professionals – were each invited to submit up to three photographs earlier this year which they felt captured the theme, ‘I present my town’. A variety of hugely creative and breath taking images were submitted, illustrating the architecture, people, entertainment or environment of the towns.  In Cheltenham, 49 entries were received.

The exhibition, which is free to visit, will show the 30 best images from Annecy and ten images of Cheltenham that Annecy liked the best.

A panel of Cheltenham judges has selected their top ten images from Annecy, including the first and second prize winners.  The third prize winner is subject to a public vote.  Each of the Annecy pictures has a number and visitors to the exhibition are requested to select their favourite, using the voting slip.  The winner of this ballot will receive the third prize.

Annecy will announce the winners during the visit of the Cheltenham official delegation to Annecy from 24-27 June 2016. In turn, Cheltenham will present the awards on Saturday 9 July during the visit of Annecy’s delegation to Cheltenham.

Results will be published on Cheltenham Twinning Association’s website.

Garth Barnes, chairman of the Twinning Association said:  ‘’We were delighted, not only at the number of entries received in both Cheltenham and Annecy, but also how well they captured the beauty of each town.  I hope that residents and visitors will visit The Wilson to see the photographs on display and cast a vote for their favourite image of our twin town.  This has been a great way to mark our 60th anniversary year and I offer my grateful thanks to the camera clubs for their support.’’


For press enquiries, contact: Katie Sandey, communications and web team leader, telephone 01242 775050 or email: [email protected]

Notes: Cheltenham has been twinned with the town of Annecy since 1956.