Presenting Prague 15

Marcela's purpose in visiting Harlow from Prague 15 district is to give a presentation about the history of the mutual friendship between our two communities, and how it could develop in the future.

We convene in the Council Chamber at two o'clock, and I introduce the event. Marcela has brought her presentation on CD and DVD, to show pictures of visits past, and even copies of the correspondence between Harlow and Prague 15 at the time the relationship was first established ten years ago, as well as film of different aspects of life in Prague. Marcela's husband George manages to get the technology working, which is a great relief.

Marcela's presentation sparks a lively discussion. It's clear that our Prague 15 friends have the benefit that their politicians have been more continuously involved with the friendship links; in Harlow, it's been the Chairman of the Council (who changes every year) who has been involved in the link, preventing any real continuity. More than anyone, it's been GPCA, rather than the council, that's kept the relationship going from Harlow's perspective, which is a lot to place on the shoulders of one community association - and we're all agreed that we in Harlow need to review how we organise our part of the friendship so that we (and Prague) can obtain maximum benefit from it.

We come to the conclusion that we need to talk to Harlow 2020 - the body which involves all the different sectors who could take part in strengthening this relationship. It's a very satisfactory outcome to the afternoon's events, and I'm really hopeful that it will provide the stability needed to see this friendship extend and grow, and involve more and more Harlow residents.