A Final Thought

Bromley and Neuwied - Twinned in Friendship

by STEVE COTTERELL Town twinning isn't about politics, it's about people and, as a direct result of the London Borough of Bromley being twinned with the German town of Neuwied, many lasting friendships have been formed. Neuwied is one of the largest cities in Rhineland-Palatinate, close to many of the historic sites of the rivers Rhine and Mosel and is a staterecognised tourist resort and centre. It sits on the right bank of the Rhine between Bonn and Koblenz and has just less than 65,000 inhabitants. Bromley has been twinned with Neuwied since October 16, 1987 and the Bromley Town Twinning Association is a voluntary body, separate from the borough council and run by its own committee under its own funding. Membership, among which Orpington is well represented, is open to everyone living or working in the borough. So, what does the Association actually DO? Without doubt, the main event of the year is the exchange visit when, in alternate years, a party of Bromley members visits Neuwied and a party of Neuwied citizens visits Bromley for a long weekend. For convenience, comfort and economy, a coach is arranged for the journey, although those wishing to make their own travel arrangements are perfectly free to do so. Visitors have the option of staying in the homes of local residents, as their guests, or of staying in a hotel. This autumn it's our turn to go to Neuwied, but because of the Covid 19 situation, this visit has been postponed until next year. When we visit Neuwied, the programme commences with a Civic Reception followed by some interesting excursions such as a visit to a place of historical interest, a wine festival or even a cruise along one of the most scenic stretches of the Rhine.

Some meals are eaten during excursions, some taken with our hosts and the visit concludes with a banquet at which all members of both organisations attend. We are all made most welcome and spend a most enjoyable few days in the company of our hosts.

Bromley Youth Concert Band at Rimmersdorf Abbey

On the return visit, when the German people visit us, the programme follows a similar format and we do our best to give our guests an entertaining, interesting and memorable time. Past excursions have included a trip on the Kent & East Sussex Railway from Tenterden and visits to the Houses of Parliament, Chartwell and Brighton Pavilion. Because strong friendships have developed between members of the two organisations, some also make their own arrangements to visit each other at other times, especially during festivals. Contact between the two towns isn't limited to association members, though. An annual tennis match is held between the Park Langley Club and Neuwied Tennis Club. The Bromley Youth Music Trust has played at a Spring Festival Concert in Neuwied and Orpington's Newstead Singers have performed in Neuwied. The Ravensbourne Morris Men have visited Neuwied several times and have always received a warm welcome; their performances providing much amusement for the locals. Contact has also been made between schools in Bromley and Neuwied. However, the exchange visits are not the association's only activities and the committee arranges a programme of events throughout the year. These include a New Year dinner, an annual lecture (on a German theme), visits to places of interest, garden parties, wine tastings and meals out. We also run the occasional stall at local fetes to tell people about the association, raise funds and recruit new members. The Bromley Town Twinning Association has its own web site at www.bromleytowntwinning.co.uk and a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BromleyTTA. Bromley's partner association in Neuwied, the Freundeskreis Neuwied-Bromley (Neuwied-Bromley Friendship Circle) also has a website at http://freundeskreis-neuwied-bromley.de For further information, please contact the membership secretary on 020-8777 2361 or email becksank@outlook.com

Manning the Town Twinning Stand at Cudham Fair Enjoying a summer garden party.