History of the Twinning of Gloucester with St Ann
In 1984 the Policy and Resources Committee of Gloucester City
Council first discussed the possibility of a twinning
link with a town in Jamaica. Gloucester already had established
links with the European towns of Trier in Germany, Metz
in France and Gouda in the Netherlands. However, Committee
Chair, Councilor Tony Ayland believed that establishing
links with Jamaica would give recognition to the growing
Jamaican Community in Gloucester.
A review of older members of the Caribbean community
living in Gloucester revealed that a large percentage
had their
roots in the parishes of St Ann and St Catherine in
Jamaica. It
had first been mooted that Gloucester could be twinned
with St Catherine as the majority of Jamaicans in Gloucester
originated from that parish. St Catherine was however
already linked
with Lambeth in London. St Ann was therefore proposed
for
the twinning project. This proposal became reality on
1 May 1987 with the signing of a formal linking document
by Mr Tony
Ayland the then Mayor of Gloucester and Mr Renford Gentles
the Mayor of St Ann.
One of the first twinning event followed in 1987/1988
with reciprocal visits by youth groups from both communities.
These visits were a great success and the young people
undertook
community projects as well as cultural visits to familiarise
themselves with the communities involved with the twinning.
In 1988, following extensive damage to Jamaica by Hurricane
Gilbert, the Mayor of Gloucester launched a City wide
appeal for the people of St Ann who had suffered from
the effects
of the hurricane.
The St Ann Society of Gloucester is now firmly establishes
and is well known in the City for its active social calendar
of events including an annual cricket match against the
Continental Cricket Club of Birmingham; trips to exhibitions
and the annual
Jamaica Independence service in London, Bun and Cheese
evenings at Easter and competitive quiz nights.
Members of the Society are kept informed of developments
and activities through regular newsletters and an annual
general
meeting. The Society celebrated its 10th anniversary in
1997.
Summary of Twinning and post twinning events |
