Bristol to Bordeaux school exchange trip cancelled
School exchange visits planned between Bristol and Bordeaux next year have been cancelled because their organiser is ill.
The pupil exchange trips between the twinned cities were due to have taken place in April and July 2009.
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Bristol to Bordeaux school exchange trip cancelled
But organiser Debbie Richards had to drop out because she is recovering from an illness.
With no one else available to manage the exchanges, they have been cancelled.
About a dozen students had already signed up for the trip.
They will each have their £150 deposit returned and other schools in Bristol have been informed that the exchange is no longer going ahead.
Alix Hughes, Bristol International Twinning Association co-ordinator, said: "Debbie was the key person running this and now is a crucial time for the exchange.
"The trips would need promoting in schools and we only have until the middle of November to build up enough people.
"But Debbie has been really ill and she there is no way that she could manage to oversee the organisation of the exchange at the moment."
Last year saw the 60th anniversary of Bristol's twinning relationship with Bordeaux.
Since then, parties of school pupils have travelled to the French city almost every year to learn about the language and culture.
The exchange is highly popular in Bordeaux and is something of which the people of the city are extremely proud.
"It's doubly disappointing because we had a year where we really looked at it in detail and tried to get it on a secure footing," said Mr Hughes.
"The French are gutted as well because they thought it would be all systems go.
"They are saying that if there are individuals who want to get in touch then they will try to help out but our message to teachers and schools is that it's not going ahead.
"Hopefully people who have already registered will be understanding and apply again next year.
"It's disappointing but there is no one to blame and we hope to get it back up and running again for 2010."
4 Comments
by Anne, bristol
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 4:52PM
“It's beyond belief that the City Council can't find someone to run this exchange in the event of the ill health of its organiser. Have teachers been informed? Pupils? Parents? No. just an article in the Post informing everyone. Disgraceful behaviour on the part of the City Council.”
by Alison, Bristol
Wednesday, October 01 2008, 1:50PM
“How can this be allowed to happen? After 60 years of relations between these twinned cities it is a disgrace. I did this exchange as a school girl, it was fabulous and gave me a hunger for foreign language, you attend their schools, have little choice but to speak the language and it was a great learning curve. If I were the co-ordinator recovering from a serious illness I'm sure this day would come as a very sad blow and impede my recovery! I cannot believe our City Council does not have adequate sickness cover or help for this particular venture. Come on Bristol City, look at the amount of cash being pumped into our new schools, out of class learning is of equal importance to our children. Think how long and hard these relatonships take to forge and THINK AGAIN!”
by Ali, Bristol
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 1:33PM
“I agree with JoJo - come on guys dont let all those down who were going. If I was Debbie I'm confident that I would want the trip to go ahead without me. Also, get well soon Debbie x”
by JoJo, Bristol
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 8:12AM
“Surely there must be SOMEONE who can take this on. Its such a shame for all involved if this was cancelled.”