New mayoral couple in English twin town Rossendale

News from Bocholt's English twin town Rossendale: Councillor Judith Driver and her husband Ian Driver have been elected as the new mayor and mayoress of the English twin town Rossendale.

They succeed Mayor Andrew Warmsley and Mayoress Pat Smith.

Judith Driver is the elected councillor for the Rossendale district of Bacup, where the family also live. The term of office for mayoral couples in Rossendale is one year. Judith and Ian Driver will represent the English twin town until May 2025.

Fundraising for charitable organisations

Every year, the Rossendale mayoral couple raise money for their own charity fund. Judith and Ian Driver will mainly carry out this collection through their own local events, such as the Mayor and Mayoress's Charity Ball. This year, the Mayor and Mayoress are raising money for the Rossendal Hospice, the animal rescue organisation and the Whitehorse Project, among others. This integration project works with young people aged 11 to 18 to improve their life chances.

Congratulations from the German twin town

Mayor Thomas Kerkhoff congratulates the new mayor and mayoress. He writes: "The name "Driver" is associated here in Bocholt with a family that is highly committed to our German-English town twinning programme. In October last year, we were able to unveil a memorial bench together in honour of your uncle Norman Driver at Bocholter Aa-See."

At the same time, he wished the new mayor and mayoress all the best for the task ahead. A reunion will take place during the official delegation trip of the city of Bocholt at the end of June, in which Mayor Kerkhoff will also take part.