A friendship in the European spirit. The town twinning between Bolton and Paderborn has been in place for 50 years
Bolton in Great Britain has been twinned with Paderborn since 1975. From 11 to 14 April, representatives from both towns celebrated the 50th anniversary of their partnership. The hosts from Bolton had put together a varied and wonderful programme with numerous gatherings, cultural highlights and official receptions. At the invitation of Bolton’s mayor, Andrew P. Morgan, Mayor Michael Dreier, members of the council and the Anglo-German Club travelled to the United Kingdom. Three representatives from Le Mans, which is also twinned with Paderborn and Bolton, also accepted the invitation.
The visit began under the motto ‘Encounter and Exchange’: at an informal reception in the historic Last Drop Village Hotel, the delegates had the opportunity to talk to their hosts from Bolton and the deputy mayor of Le Mans, Sophie Moisy. Mayor Morgan then invited his guests to an evening in the pub with live music – a successful start to the anniversary weekend.
Saturday’s programme featured cultural and urban planning highlights: after visiting Bolton Parish Church and enjoying impressive views of the city, the guests were given exclusive insights into the extensive master plan for urban renewal. The subsequent visit to the new medical centre at the University of Greater Manchester-Bolton demonstrated the city’s strong commitment to innovation.
The highlight of the anniversary celebrations was an official ceremony in Bolton’s historic town hall on Saturday evening. In the presence of numerous guests, Mayor Michael Dreier, Bolton’s Mayor Andrew P. Morgan and the Chairwoman of the Anglo-German Club, Ilka Mindt, paid tribute to the depth and significance of the town twinning in their speeches. Mayor Michael Dreier emphasised in his speech: “For five decades, our cities have been linked by a partnership that strengthens cultural exchange, mutual understanding and friendship between people. And over the years, the many encounters between often very different people have grown into lasting friendships. We can all be very proud of this.”
The British Honorary Consul Susan Speller and Mayor Stéphane Le Foll and his deputy Sophie Moisy from Le Mans were also guests at the ceremony. Wojciech Bakun and his wife from Paderborn’s Polish twin town Przemyśl were invited as surprise guests. Morgan and Bakun had met last year at the Libori Festival in Paderborn and made initial contact.
A special moment of the evening was the ceremonial signing of the anniversary document by Mayors Morgan and Dreier. “I am extremely grateful that our cities are so closely connected and have been able to rely on each other for 50 years,” said Dreier.
In addition, the anniversary gift from the city of Bolton to the city of Paderborn was unveiled in the Paderborn Room inside the town hall: a large-format oil painting by Bolton artist Jamiu Oyibo. Paul Whittingham, Deputy Director of Bolton Council, also presented the guests with the city’s vision for future development.
On Sunday, the guests from Paderborn attended a festive Psalm Sunday service at Bolton Parish Church. Afterwards, the mayors laid a wreath in memory of all war victims worldwide.
On their departure on Monday, the delegation from Paderborn could look back on a fantastic weekend. Their trip also sent a strong signal for the long-standing partnership between Bolton and Paderborn, which thrives on the commitment of many citizens, associations and institutions and stands for European friendship, peace and cohesion.
Foto: City of Paderborn
Title: 50 Jahre Bolton-Paderborn
Description: Mayor Michael Dreier (6th from right) and Mayor Andrew P. Morgen (7th from right) present the partnership certificate for the anniversary together with the delegation from Paderborn, members of the Anglo-German Club and Honoray consul Susan Speller (left).
Image rights: Stadt Paderborn
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