Bocholt - Twin town delegation on visit

Date published: 23/06/2008

Rossendale’s Mayor, Councillor Christine Gill, acted as host to an official group from the Valley’s German twin town of Bocholt at the weekend. Bocholt’s Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Peter Nebelo and Ilse Tekampe led a six-strong delegation to find out about Rossendale and to strengthen the contact between the towns.

At a reception at Whitworth’s Riverside Suite Mr Nebelo stressed the importance of the 56 year old link. ‘Partnerships are the greatest peace movement on earth’, he said. ‘In spite of today’s open borders, partnerships such as ours allow special access to another way of life and culture, rather than just being a tourist. For our young people it’s important to move in different cultural surroundings, and what can offer a better chance than visiting families in twin towns?’

After a tour of the Valley and a visit to the Rossendale Weekend food market on Saturday the group had some time to relax before a hectic Sunday programme of visits to East Lancs Railway and an evening with Rossendale’s twinning group Friends of Bocholt.

Mr Nebelo, who is an elected Mayor with the joint job of Chief Executive of Bocholt council, told Ask Rossendale that he wanted to raise the interest of young people in contact between the twin towns. Over 200 people had exchanged visits last year, and Rossendale is the most important of Bocholt’s five partnership towns. ‘Using European funding to extend these links is important’, he said. ‘This year there will be visits from a youth exchange, swimming clubs, darts and karate clubs, and two high schools. These are important to our future and my visit will strengthen these links.’

Monday saw the delegation learn about employment in Rossendale with a visit to Holland’s Pies, and the history of the town at newly-restored Helmshore Textile Museum.

Anyone with an interest in Bocholt can contact Friends of Bocholt on 01706 215203. They are arranging a visit in August to celebrate 25 years of their organisation. Or look at www.bocholt.de