The Calderdale region is located in West Yorkshire in the northwest of England, ca 300 km north of London, near Leeds, Manchester or Bradford. The entire region covers an area of ca 363 km and has around 195,000 inhabitants. The administration centre of the region is Halifax with 100,000 inhabitants. Local economy is based on traditional textile industry which plays an important role there. Although Calderdale is located in a relatively crowded part of England, there are ample calm and interesting places with beautiful countryside. Formal partnership with the Strakonice District was made in 1992. The Contract on Partnerships was signed by the representatives of the District Authority in Strakonice and District towns – Strakonice, Vodňany, Blatná and Volyně. That it is a sincere friendship was proven by the Czech partners in 2000 by donating the partner region of Calderdale a cheque in the amount of CZK 300,000 as a financial help for removing flood damages the region had incurred. In 1994, Calderdale – Strakonice Twinning Association was founded. It focuses on broadening, initiating and mediating cultural relations, school exchanges, camps, summer and winter activities, family exchanges or reciprocal stays of young people. There have been many visits made – sportsmen (footballers, watermen, scouts), exchange camps for young people, cooperation of schools, entrepreneurs and representatives of state administration and self administration.

Cooperation with the English still going on even after the public administration reform

In 2003, public administration reform took place resulting in abolishment of district authorities. In spite of that all partners agreed that they wanted to continue their mutual friendship and in September 2002 they signed new contracts. Therefore, the cooperation of the Calderdale region and Strakonice, Vodňany, Blatná and Volyně still continues.