Stockport Gains Top European Honour
| Published: 15th October 2008 09:55 |
Stockport is the only town in the UK this year to be awarded the much sought after Plaque of Honour by the Council of Europe.
Stockport has gained the prestigious award for its work in promoting European ideals.
The Plaque of Honour has been awarded to just a few hundred towns across the whole of Europe since the award first began in 1955.
The Plaque is only awarded to town's which have continued to develop their European work over a number of years after winning the Flag of Honour, which Stockport did in 2003.
Below are some of the projects that Stockport has been involved in to promote European ideals over the last few years which helped gain the award:
- Twin Towns - Stockport is twined with Beziers in France and Heilbronn in Germany.
- Foreign Language Assistants programme.
- Primary French initiative.
- Stockport's Chamber of Commerce have strong links and offer work experience exchanges with Beziers.
- Music exchange with Heilbronn raising money for the Wellspring charity.
- Local Democracy week for Brinnington girls in Brussels.
- Disability conference with Twin Towns in Stockport.
Councillor Shan Alexander, Executive Member for Leisure, said: "This is a tremendous honour for Stockport and is something residents should be extremely proud of. Stockport is the only town in the whole of the UK to win this award this year which helps raise the town's profile within the UK and across Europe."
The Plaque will be awarded to Stockport Council by the Council of Europe on 28th November 2008. Stockport will then apply for the top European prize which has been awarded to just five other towns in the UK.
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