New mayoral couple in Bocholt's twin town Rossendale

The council of the English twin town of Rossendale has now elected a new mayoral couple. Councillor Andrew Walmsley and his partner Pat Smith will represent the English twin town for one year. Bocholt's Mayor Thomas Kerkhoff congratulates his new counterpart and his partner.

Andrew Walmsley has been a councillor for the Irwell Ward in Rossendale for seven years. Last year he already served as deputy mayor. He was born in Rossendale and has lived there ever since. He works in the local district of Bacup for a private contractor as financial controller. In his private life he is, among other things, treasurer of the "Bacup Pride" association, a kind of hometown association.

Fundraising for Rossendal food banks

As part of their term of office, the new Rossendal mayoral couple would like to raise money for charity. This is something all mayoral couples do during their one year in office. Walmsley and Smith would like to give their donations to local charities and Rossendal food banks.

800th anniversary visit

Last year, Walmsley visited the European city of Bocholt in his capacity as deputy mayor with an official delegation from the city of Rossendale on the occasion of the city's 800th anniversary. He thus already got to know Rossendale's German twin town well. In the visit programme at that time, he not only took part in the European Town Festival, but also planted an oak tree at the Aa Lake together with Mayor Kerkhoff on the occasion of Bocholt's town anniversary.

Anglo-German visit Rossendale in autumn

The new mayor and mayoress will receive their first visit in autumn. After a long break from Corona, the German-British Society of Bocholt will then organise the first visit to their partner association there, the "Friends of Bocholt".