"Friends of Bocholt" visit German twin town

Bocholt was delighted to welcome guests from the English twin town of Rossendale on the weekend of the fair.

"Such friendships must be cherished and nurtured, which is all the more important in these times", said Elisabeth Kroesen, first deputy mayor of the city of Bocholt, at the reception for the English guests. 21 members of the "Friends of Bocholt", the counterpart to the "German British Society Bocholt" in Rossendale, were visiting from Thursday to Monday. They were accommodated in host families. It was the 56th visit to Bocholt for the Englishman John Davey.

"Nothing can replace real hugs, meetings and conversations"

Andreas Becker, Chairman of the German-British Society Bocholt, welcomed the guests, including the Honorary President of the DBG, Karl-Gerd Gessner: "I am delighted to see everyone who has come. Neither Brexit nor Corona have managed to destroy the good relations and friendships, on the contrary, the connections are stronger than they have ever been." He thanked all "team players" who have worked to maintain and expand the partnership. "I would particularly like to highlight Leonie Fordmiah, who as Chair of the "Friends of Bocholt" has worked hard, creatively and with so many wonderful activities to promote the partnership, especially to young people. Thank you for your motivation, dedication and incredible strength and energy."

Becker called on everyone to continue working on the partnership and to expand it. "You know that nothing can replace real hugs, meetings and conversations." He concluded by thanking all the host parents: "You all did a fantastic job."

Emotional evening

"This evening is very emotional for me", Deputy Mayor Elisabeth Kroesen began her speech. "I have something special in my hand, a guest book from the Busch family, my family." Kroesen's father was part of the first youth group to visit Rossendale with Bernhard Demming in 1952. "That's why I was really looking forward to the visit, it's very nice to be able to talk about it again in a group like this."

Geoff Tomlinsen was in Bocholt in 1982 with a group from Rossendale and signed the guest book with his wife Barbara. "A wonderful meeting with friends since 1952, who are still friends today." In her greeting, Kroesen talked about the basis of the fair, the church consecration festival of St George, reported on the proximity to the Netherlands and emphasised the importance of bicycles for the people of Bocholt. "I could go on and on, but you have the best tour guides in the person of your host parents. I have tried to build a bridge to my history but also to today and I would like to encourage you to think outside the box and to cherish and nurture the friendship you have here."

I think of Bocholt every day

Leonie Fordmiah from England thanked Becker and Kroesen for their words. "For me there is only one word - friendship", said the chairwoman of the "Friends of Bocholt". Due to a corona illness of a host couple, the chairwoman had to act quickly, and Becker quickly found a host mother in Inge Gores who took care of Fordmiah and her partner. "Something like this doesn't work without friendship and trust", said Fordmiah

She looked back on an extraordinary year as chairperson. "I wanted to generate enthusiasm for the partnership, and we have achieved that." Not only was there a school partnership with Haslingdon High School, the Rossendale Harriers, an athletics club, took part in the Bocholt City Run for the first time, and two teachers from Euregio-Gymnasium were guests in Rossendale. "There are always new friendships and I promise you, there will be more runners at the Bocholt City Run." Your thanks to Andreas Becker - "we spoke almost every day and I think about Bocholt every day."