German-British Society visits "Friends of Bocholt" in twin town Rossendale

22 members of the German-British Society Bocholt were invited by the "Friends of Bocholt" to visit the English twin town of Rossendale. The Bocholt group was accommodated with English host families.

The Bocholt guests were delighted with the ingenuity of their hosts, who always think of something special for their visit. Some visited Manchester, others Liverpool, still others places of interest in the Rossendale area. There were also many private visits to friends of the host families.

Visiting "The Whitaker" and the Textile Museum

The whole group visited "The Whitaker" museum on Saturday. This particular mansion has been privatised in recent years and is now supported by a total of 114 volunteers. "It was noticeable that everyone runs the museum with heart and soul. Here, the old has been harmoniously supplemented and expanded with the new - as we see in England again and again," reported Andreas Becker from Bocholt, Chairman of the German-British Society Bocholt. Afterwards, there was a joint lunch at the "Firepit" in Rawtenstall. Afterwards, a guided tour of the Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, which is similar to the Textile Museum in Bocholt, was on the programme. The similarity is not coincidental, as both Rossendale and Bocholt are characterised by the textile industry.

Reception by Mayor Andrew Walmsley

On Sunday, guests and hosts met at the "Northern Whisper" for a pint of Bocholt, the "Bocholt beer" in the English twin town of Rossendale. Here the group was visited by the acting Mayor, Major of Rossendale Councillor Andrew Walmsley. Walmsley was in Bocholt last year for the 800th anniversary celebrations as Deputy Mayor with an official delegation. Becker took this opportunity to thank the "Friends of Bocholt" for arranging, planning and working for this exchange and invited them to a return visit to Bocholt.

Farewell with the song "Auld lang Syne

On Monday, the group returned to Bocholt. As a farewell, the Honorary Chairman of the German-British Society Bocholt, Karl-Gerd Geßner, traditionally played the song "Auld lang Syne" with his harmonica in the company of everyone, with some farewell tears flowing. "Next year we will again expect our Rossendaler in Bocholt", Andreas Becker announces.

If you would like to get in touch, you are welcome to contact the German-British Society Bocholt via the website www.dbg-bocholt.de.