‘Twinners’ poised for 65th anniversary visit
PREPARATIONS are in full swing for a 65th anniversary visit from Rossendale’s twin town this month.
Host families will welcome 38 visitors who will be arriving by coach from the German city of Bocholt on Saturday, October 21, at Haslingden Sixth Form Centre.
In the evening a concert, entitled ‘Ode to Joy’ after the European anthem, will be held at St Peter’s Church, Haslingden, featuring Rossendale Ladies Choir and 2nd Rossendale Scout Group Band. Both these groups have visited Bocholt several times.
Ahead of the visit the Friends of Bocholt have cleaned up all the twinning plaques in Rawtenstall and Bacup and the German telephone box in Whitaker Park. A special new plaque is being created for the commemorative stone next to Rawtenstall rail station.
In 1952 it was suggested that Rossendale twin with Bocholt because both had roots in the textile trade.
John Davey, treasurer of the Friends of Bocholt, first went there aged 19 in 1966, and was a founder member of the Friends group, set up in 1983.
He said: “For many years the twinning links revolved around youth visits between the two countries.
“We went to celebrate 30 years of the twinning arrangement and from that visit it was decided to set up the Friends of Bocholt and in Germany they set up the German British Society.”
The two groups have supported each other at a variety of different events in both countries and formed many friendships.
John added: “One of the visitors this time will be Crystel Feldhaar. She is a former Mayor of Bocholt and her son is now study- ing at Lancaster University. It will be great to see her in Rossendale again.
“We will be having a social evening on the Sunday night at Rossendale Golf Club from 7.30pm and anyone who has been involved with twinning in the past is welcome to come along.
“By letting someone stay in your home you can make a lasting friendship. People should not worry about not being able to speak the language as 99 per cent of the people who come here speak English.”
Haslingden High School students have also provided pictures for a book celebrating Bocholt’s twin towns, after a visit to northern Germany.
Concert tickets cost £8 (£5 concs), and are available from Russell Helm on 01706 875819. For more details contact Sue Davey on 01706 215203 or susanmdavey@btinternet.com.