Promoting sporting, cultural and educational links across Europe
Reaffirmation in 2025
6th – 8th June 2025
Hundreds of guests from our twinned European towns joined thousands of Richmond residents to celebrate the Reaffirmation. More than 60 commemorative events took place over the long weekend, including receptions, a parade, picnic, cycle ride, boat trips, guided walks, wine tasting, bridge & chess tournaments, sporting events & many concerts in addition to the Reaffirmation ceremony itself.
To see a wonderful five minute official film of the Reaffirmation please click on the following link:
The Reaffirmation in Richmond was reported in the German press.
The international parade on Sunday 8th June was just one of 60 events which took place over the Reaffirmation weekend. Please see some pictures below.
The parade was led by a Konstanzer, a Bellefontain, a Richmond scout & a German living in Richmond. Photo: Whitton Photographic ClubThe Fahnenschwinger from Konstanz. Photo: Whitton Photographic ClubThe Scouts from Richmond Photo: Whitton Photographic ClubThe Firefighters from Konstanz. The Firefighters in Konstanz & Fontainebleau began the twinning in the 1950s. Photo: Whitton Photographic ClubThe Air Cadets. Photo: Whitton Photographic ClubThree of the flags based upon the 6 European values of Democracy, Freedom, Equality, the Rule of Law, Human Rights & Human Dignity, designed by the delegates at the international youth conference in Konstanz in May. Photo: Whitton Photographic ClubPhoto: Whitton Photographic ClubFrench country dancers. La Bourrée du Coucou. Photo: Whitton Photographic Club
Before exiting York House the parade marched past the assembled Mayors, the chairman of REA & President of ARCIF plus Miguel Berger, the German Ambassador (on the right).
The Middlesex Yeomanry Concert Band provided the music.
The parade included demonstrations of activities like flag waving.
Where are the flags?
Flamenco dancing
and Karate
Türel & his daughter, Holly, used to live & practise karate in Konstanz. They now live & practise in Richmond. Several of their former colleagues in Konstanz came to Richmond for the Reaffirmation.
However the parade was just one of many highlights during a month of celebrations.
The streets of the borough were decorated with over a thousand flags for four weeks before the Reaffirmation weekend.
Richmond Town CentreChurch Street, Twickenham
How the Weekend Began
The long weekend began on Friday evening with a reception at Stein’s, which was attended by 250 people from the three European towns.
Photo: Whitton Photographic Club
Several of the diners arrived by boat from another reception at Orleans House.
The first boatload arriving at Stein’s.. Photo: Whitton Photographic Club
SeeBrass from Konstanz provided the music for the evening.
Photo: Jusztin Szalay
and the Fahnenschwinger swung their flags.
What a beautiful setting next to the Rover Thames with Richmond Bridge in the background. Photo: Jusztin Szalay
A great deal of Wiener Schnitzel und Wurst was consumed & our European partnerships were toasted with German beer.
The location beside the Thames was perfect.
The weather was ideal & the atmosphere was so gemütlich that both hosts & guests remained until well after darkness fell.
To see two very short videos of the music & flag waving please click on the following link:
The REA Chairman (right) with Committee member Dany Mooney.
Saturday 7th June
Saturday began with an international Parkrun in Richmond Park
Photo: Whitton Photographic Club
Followed by a cycling tour of the borough.
The cyclists stopped to admire the famous view from Richmond Hill. Photo: Whitton Photographic Club.
Then a polo match with Courances from Fontainebleau at Ham Polo Club in Petersham.
Photo: Whitton Photographic Club
There was an exhibition of work by amateur artists from the three European towns in York House. The Richmond Art Society has been twinned with Art Fontainebleau for many years.
Young musical bands & dancers from the three European towns performed on stage by Richmond Riverside all day before packed audiences.
Riverside Radio broadcast the show live to the world.
Our overseas guests took the opportunity to admire the stunning new Twinning Mural in the Art-Deco foyer of the beautifully refurbished Richmond Station.
The beautifully restored Richmond Station flying the flags of France & Germany to welcome our guests.The stunning Twinning Mural has attracted universal praise.
Our European friends also visited many of the world famous tourist attractions, such as Strawberry Hill House, Horace Walpole’s unique Gothic treasure.
Photos: Satish Dhir. Whitton Photographic Club
Among the 50 events which took place on Saturday were several joint concerts,
St. Margaret’s Elastic Band & Union Musicale de Fontainebleau performed at St. Stephen’s School. Photo: Whitton Photographic Club
an Apero (wine tasting) and quiz at the Etna centre in East Twickenham
a Twinning Celebration at the Cambrian Community Centre.
Ukulele provided the music at the Cambrian Community Centre.
a triangular bridge match between clubs in the three European towns and a tournament between Richmond & Fontainebleau chess clubs.
There was also a civic dinner at the Petersham Hotel, which was suitably decorated for the occasion.
Sunday 8th June
After the parade on Sunday morning the Reaffirmation Oath was signed by the Mayors, the President of ARCIF & the Chairman of REA on the terrace of York House.
L-R. Evelyne Wenzel, President of ARCIF, Odile Jacquin, Deputy Mayor of Fontainebleau, Cllr. Penelope Frost, Mayor of Richmond, Alan Mockford, Chairman of REA & Uli Burchardt, Oberbürgermeister of Konstanz.
The Oberbürgermeister of Konstanz then awarded former REA Chairman, Bernd Steinlechner, ARCIF President, Evelyne Wenzel & REA Chairman, Alan Mockford with golden Ehrennadeln (Badges of honour) in recognition of their work in promoting their towns’ partnerships with Konstanz over many years.
Then the party in the sunken garden of York House began.
There was more dancing
Combination Dance
with bands & orchestras from the three European towns providing the music.
Kew Wind Orchestra
The German Ambassador, Miguel Berger, said that it was the most beautiful event he had seen in the three years that he has been Ambassador in the UK.
Miguel Berger (left) with REA Chairman, Alan Mockford on the terrace of York House. (A clip from the film of the Reaffirmation)
To see the German Ambassador congratulate the Richmond in Europe Association please click on the following link:
The long weekend of celebrations reached a tumultuous climax with a performance by the outstanding European Youth Orchestra to a packed house at the Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington.
The European Youth Orchestra with the French conductor, Fabrice Fortin. Photo: Whitton Photographic Club
The young musicians from 6 European countries only met for the first time 36 hours before their performance, but the quality was quite outstanding. Works by composers from all 6 countries were performed, led by conductors from the respective countries.
The concert was streamed live to the world. If you missed the concert or would like to watch it again please click on the following link:
The concert ended with an emotional rendering of Auld Lang Syne, led by the English conductor, Charlotte O’Brien from Waldegrave School, who organised the whole event. Charlotte invited the packed and enthusiastic audience to participate & there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
One small section of the audience. Photo: Whitton Photographic Club
It was a monumental task bringing together almost a hundred young musicians & conductors from 6 European towns, as in addition to Richmond, Fontainebleau & Konstanz, the European Youth Orchestra comprises musicians from Lodi, in Italy, Sintra in Portugal & Alba Iulia in Romania. However it was worth all the effort as what better way could there be to end the weekend of celebrations than the youth of Europe united by music.
A delighted Charlotte O’Brien, who made the whole concert possible. Photo: Whitton Photographic Club
The next Reaffirmation will take place in Konstanz in 2030.
Sunrise over the Rhine in Konstanz.
Commemorative Mugs
Three views from different angles of the attractive commemorative mug which has been commissioned by REA to celebrate the reaffirmation.
The Richmond in Europe Association has commissioned commemorative mugs to publicise & celebrate the occasion. These can be purchased, at a cost of £5 each, from Twickenham Museum, the Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington or from the Museum of Richmond, which is in the Old Town Hall in Richmond. The museum can be found on the top floor of the old town hall in Richmond, above the reference library.
(For museum opening times please click on the following link).
High quality souvenir commemorative tote bags have also been commissioned. These can be purchased from Strawberry Hill House or the Museum of Richmond. Price £4.
New Signage in Richmond
One of the new signs in Barnes.
As part of the preparation for the reaffirmation 15 town twinning signs have been refurbished & seven new town twinning signs have been erected.
In addition three new information boards about our twin towns of Fontainebleau & Konstanz have been installed in Richmond, Twickenham & East Sheen & an attractive new fingerpost sign has been erected outside the civic centre in Twickenham.
All were unveiled by our English Patron the Mayor of Richmond upon Thames.
The stunning new fingerpost sign outside the civic centre in Twickenham was unveiled by the mayor & leader of the council on 5th November 2021.
Two more information boards were installed in Kneller Gardens in Whitton & at Ham Parade in the spring of 2025. These are in addition to those in Orleans House garden, outside East Sheen library & in the Terrace Garden on Richmond riverside.
One of the two new Information Boards.
Local art students also decorated an underpass in Whitton with pictures of Fontainebleau & Konstanz.
To see a short film of the unveiling of the artwork by the Deputy Mayor of Richmond, Cllr Kuldev Sehra, on 2nd October 2024 please click on the following link.
Many Richmond clubs & associations already have partners in Fontainebleau & Konstanz & will be arranging joint activities. However any club or association can participate in the weekend of festivities from 6th -8th June 2025 simply by adopting a French or German theme.
For further details please write to
richmondineurope@hotmail.com
The Full Programme for the Reaffirmation Weekend
6th -8th June 2025
The Fahnenschwinger will be coming from Konstanz.
Friday 6th June
L-R. Members of REA & ARCIF with a service tree of Fontainebleau which was planted beside Orleans House Gallery.
Late afternoon & evening. Two receptions will be held for our international visitors. An official one at Orleans House Gallery, for invited guests, beginning at 6 p.m., & a welcoming gathering with live music at Stein’s Outdoor Restaurant on Richmond Riverside, starting at 7 p.m., which is for everyone.
Stein’s enjoys an idyllic location on Richmond Riverside.Stein’s is already hanging out the flags for our visitors.
Saturday 7th June
9 a.m. An international 5 km Parkrun in Richmond Park. Walk, jog, run or spectate. The run begins near the Richmond Gate. All are welcome
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A guided family friendly cycle ride around the borough, organised by the Richmond Cycling Campaign, taking in Hampton Court Palace, Richmond & Bushy parks. Bicycles will be made available for our guests from France & Germany free of charge. For further information & to register for the ride please click on the following link:
Cyclists from Fontainebleau arriving at Orleans House in 2017.
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. A German Street Market in Ham Parade.
11. a.m.-4 p.m. Strawberry Hill house is open between 11 a.m. & 4 p.m. on both Saturday 7th June & Sunday 8th June at a specially discounted price of £10 for adults, (£7.25 for those aged 6-16 & those under 6 free.) If you have not seen this magnificently restored unique Gothic treasure it is treat not to be missed.
For further information & to reserve your place please click on the following link:
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Joint Art Exhibition by the Richmond Art Society & Art Fontainebleau in the Salon of York House. Works by artists from Richmond, Fontainebleau & Konstanz will be on display. Admission free.
The new stained glass window at Hampton Hill United Reformed church.
10 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. Kaffee und Kuchen at Hampton Hill United Reformed Church plus a visit to the historic water gardens in Bushy Park, which is opposite the church in Hampton Hill High Street.
10 a.m – 2 p.m or 3.30 p.m. Come and join the friendly Richmond Ramblers on a free circular walk through Richmond, past the historic palace, along the River Thames & Petersham Meadows to Richmond Park with its famous view towards London. Returning via Richmond Hill to admire the view painted by many famous artists.
Meeting at Richmond Station at 10 a.m. There are shorter and longer options & walkers can leave the walk at any time. Please bring a picnic & drinks. For further information please contact Gwyneth Hill at gwynhill28@gmail.com
A sketch map of both routes.
10.30-11.30 a.m. Pause-Café en Français at the Etna Community Centre, Rosslyn Road, East Twickenham. Come and practise your French conversion over coffee & French pâtisseries. All ages & levels welcome.
For further information please click on the following link: Live Languages
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. St. Mary’s Church Twickenham Summer Fête/Sommerfest in celebration of our European partnerships. Stalls, games, children’s activities, BBQ, cakes & Pimms
11 a.m – 4 p.m. Ham Polo Club, Petersham. A reaffirmation polo match between Richmond & Fontainebleau. Spectators welcome. £10 adults. Children under 14 free. Bring your own picnic. Free on-site parking.
For further information please click on the following link:
Artists from Richmond & Fontainebleau outside Turner’s House in Twickenham.
2025 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of one of England’s greatest painters, Joseph Mallory William Turner, who lived in Twickenham from 1814-26 in a house he designed himself.
His house is open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday from 12 noon until 4 p.m. His anniversary was recently featured on German TV.
There is also a free outdoor exhibition in the grounds of Turner’s House on Saturday & Sunday from 12 – 4 p.m.
Some of the outdoor panels.
Discover how Turner’s travels in France & Germany & his visits to Fontainebleau & Konstanz inspired his breathtaking artwork. Entrance free.
Constance 1842 by JMW Turner. Image courtesy of York Museums Trust
Also on Saturday from 12 noon – 4 p.m. Turner’s Animals & Adventures. A family day at Turner’s House in Sandycoombe Road, St. Margarets with practical activities for children. Entrance Free.
For further information about Turner’s House please click on the following link:
11 a.m./12 noon/1 p.m./2 p.m. Museum of Twickenham. Free 15 minute House Manger talks on the JMW Turner & West London display.
Twickenham Museum11 a.m./12 noon/1 p.m. & 2 p.m. Twickenham Museum. Free 15 minute talks on the hour by the House Manager on the museum’s JMW Turner & West London display.
Turner lived close to the museum which is located next to St. Mary’s Church in Twickenham, adjacent to York House.
On his travels abroad Turner visited & painted both Fontainebleau & Konstanz.
For further information about the museum please click on the following link:
Outdoor stage in Whittaker Avenue, Richmond with performances by young singers & musicians from the three European Towns including Basement Door from Richmond & Seebrass from Konstanz. Entry free.
Seebrass from Konstanz will be one of the many young groups performing.
For further information please click on the following link: Future Sounds Fest.
12 – 4 p.m. Anglo-German Cultural Festival at Grey Court School & Deutsche Schule London
12 – 2 p.m. Eel Pie Island Museum Tour & Riverside Walking Tour. Eel Pie Island was the place where The Rolling Stones first performed.
For further information please click on the following link:
Afternoon. Free guided tours of St. Mary Magdalene Church & tower in Richmond.
World Famous Tourist Attractions in Richmond
Richmond boasts some of the most famous venues in the world. For example Kew Gardens, Marble Hill House, Strawberry Hill, Turner’s House, Ham House, the Allianz Rugby Stadium & Hampton Court Palace.
Some of these locations will be offering free or discounted admission to our guests. For example the world famous home of Rugby Union in Twickenham, which is offering a 40% discount to visitors during the reaffirmation weekend. (6th-8th June. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
For further details about the rugby tours please click on the following link:
Many of the famous sights of Richmond lie along the banks of the river. Thames River Boats are offering a 10% discount on all trips on Saturday 7th June, on production of the official events programme, to commemorate the Reaffirmation.
One of the Thames River boats near Richmond bridge.
Visitors can travel by boat the entire length of the borough from Kew to Hampton Court Palace.
Henry VIII’s historic palace.Rafael Nadal – The King of Clay.
Anyone for Tennis?
2 p.m. Open Day at St. Mary’s Clay Court Tennis Club, Musgrave Road, Isleworth. Overseas guests & local residents are invited to play on the superb European Clay Courts free of charge.
Not only is clay the most forgiving surface on which to play, it is the surface used for most outdoor professional tournaments. All the world’s top players learned to play on clay.
St. Mary’s is twinned with Konstanz Tennis Club, which nestles on the shores of Lake Constance with the Swiss Alps as the stunning backdrop. Members of each club are welcome to play at the other. For further information about St. Mary’s Clay Court Tennis Club please click on the following link:
6 p.m. Richmond Bridge Club will be welcoming members of Fontainebleau & Konstanz Bridge Clubs for supper & bridge.
The club in Cambridge Park, East Twickenham will also be hosting a tournament between members of Fontainebleau & Richmond Chess Clubs on the same evening.
Supper will be served from 6 p.m. & bridge will commence at 7.30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to join the fun, but please register first via this link:
6-8 p.m. An Apéro & quiz with French, German & English wine tasting at the Etna Centre, 13, Rosslyn Road, East Twickenham. £20 per person. Booking required via this link.
Also at 7 p.m. A dinner for the Mayoral parties & invited guests will be held in Richmond.
7 p.m. Richmond Community Choir will be performing works in English, French & German at All Hallows, Church, Twickenham. Entry £10 on the door.
Sunday 8th June
St. Mary’s Church bedecked with European flags for the recent European Friendship Concert.
9.30-10.30 a.m Eucharist service at St. Mary’s Church Twickenham to celebrate pentecost, when the Holy Spirit gave the followers of Christ the ability to speak in different languages about the mighty works of God.
All are welcome.
Fun Run
10 a.m Turks Head 10 km Reaffirmation Fun Run along the banks of the Thames. Starting and finishing at Orleans House Garden.
Entries are now closed, but spectators are welcome.
For further details please click on the following link:
11 am. An international parade to celebrate the Reaffirmation, commencing from York House.
Marchers, including the spectacular Fahnenschwinger from Konstanz, will assemble in front of York House from 10.30 a.m.
The procession will march past York House.
At 11 a.m. the paraders will march past the bands & assembled dignitaries by the entrance to York House & then proceed along the main avenue to the Richmond Road. They will then turn right into Richmond Road & right again into Sion Road before re-entering the grounds to the rear of York House, where they will be greeted by more bands, before ending their march in the sunken garden at about 11.45 a.m.
11.30 p.m.- 4 p.m. Reaffirmation Picnic. Musical performances, dancing & a ceremony to reaffirm our enduring European partnerships in the sunken garden of York House. Everyone is invited. Entrance is free. Please bring your own picnic.
The former Mayor, Cllr. Suzette Nicholson, welcomed some German teachers on a school exchange visit to York House in 2023.
Specially brewed Reaffirmation Beer’ will be on sale.
York House will be illuminated in the colours of the three European nations throughout the long anniversary weekend. Red, white & blue (for France & the UK) on Friday 6th & Sunday 8th June. Black, red & yellow (for Germany) on Saturday 7th.
12-1 p.m.The bells of St. Mary Magdalene Church in Richmond town centre will be rung to celebrate the Reaffirmation.
6.30 p.m. Choral Evensong at St. Mary Magdalene, Richmond with English, French & German music by Stanford, Defruflé & Brahms. Entry is free & everyone of all faiths & none is welcome.
St. Mary Magdalene Church, Richmond.
Then as the climax to the weekend of celebrations.
7 p.m. A performance by the outstanding European Youth Orchestra, comprising 100 musicians from Richmond, Fontainebleau, Konstanz, Lodi, in Italy, Sintra in Portugal and Alba Iulia, in Romania, at the Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington. The youth of Europe united by music.
The European Youth Orchestra performing in Fontainebleau.
The repertoire will include works by Holst, Bizet, Verdi, Vaughan Williams & Saint Saens.
Entry is free, but demand for seats is likely to exceed supply so pre-booking is essential via the following link:
To see a film of the sensational performance please click on the following link:
The musicians playing at the start of the film are from St. Margaret’s Elastic Band & Union Musicale de Fontainebleau, who are twinned. The European Youth Orchestra seen later comprises young musicians from Fontainebleau, Konstanz, Richmond & Lodi. They will be performing in Richmond in 2025.
A fold up map & brochure showing the location & timing of all events in Fontainebleau was produced for guests. To see an electronic version please click on the following link:
In 2010 the reaffirmation was celebrated in Konstanz. To mark the 50th anniversary of their friendship, Fontainebleau presented Konstanz with a sculpture of the faithful hunting dog, “Bello.” It is a life size replica of one of four hunting dogs, originally sculpted in 1603, which surrounded the lost fountain of Diana in the garden of the château of Fontainebleau.
Bello guards the entry arch to the courtyard of the Rathaus.
The inscription on the plaque reads,
“Fontainebleau hat als Zeichen der Treue und Freundschaft, seiner Schwesterstadt Konstanz zum 50-jährigen Bestehen der Jumelage Bello geschenkt.”
For further information please click on the following link.
A great deal of Wiener Schnitzel und Wurst was consumed & our European partnerships were toasted with German beer.
10 a.m – 2 p.m or 3.30 p.m. Come and join the friendly Richmond Ramblers on a free circular walk through Richmond, past the historic palace, along the River Thames & Petersham Meadows to Richmond Park with its famous view towards London. Returning via Richmond Hill to admire the view painted by many famous artists. 
6 p.m. Richmond Bridge Club will be welcoming members of Fontainebleau & Konstanz Bridge Clubs for supper & bridge. 
Specially brewed Reaffirmation Beer’ will be on sale.
In 2010 the reaffirmation was celebrated in Konstanz. To mark the 50th anniversary of their friendship, Fontainebleau presented Konstanz with a sculpture of the faithful hunting dog, “Bello.” It is a life size replica of one of four hunting dogs, originally sculpted in 1603, which surrounded the lost fountain of Diana in the garden of the château of Fontainebleau. 
The Richmond in Europe Association 