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A friendship stretching back 50 years was celebrated in Bolton. A civic reception was held in Bolton Town Hall to mark the landmark anniversary of the town twinning with Paderborn in Germany with a delegation from the city enjoying a taste of Lancashire hospitality. Bolton Mayor Cllr Andy Morgan welcomed a delegating form the European city, including its mayor Michael Dreier, as well guests from Le Mans, France, which is also twinned with both Bolton and Paderborn, including its mayor Stephane Le Foll.
The visit marked the first time all three Mayors in the tripartite twinning agreement have been in Bolton together for at least 25 years. Mayoress of Przemyslu (Mrs Bazena Bakun), Mayor of Przemyslu (Mr Wojciech Bakun), Deputy Mayor of Le Mans (Ms Sophie Moisy), Mayor of Le Mans (Mr Stephane Le Foll), Mayor of Bolton (Cllr Andy Morgan), Mayor of Paderborn (Mr Michael Dreier The Mayor of Przemyśl in Poland, Mr Wojceich Bakun, also attended along with eleven members of the Anglo-German club. As well as the civic reception, the European guests enjoyed visiting Bolton and learning about the borough's ongoing regeneration including the new brand and the new Visitor Economy Strategy to bring more tourists to the area.
The group visited Bolton Parish Church to learn about the building’s history and to learn about the art of bellringing. READ MORE: 'Adopted Boltonian' Andrew Morgan becomes Mayor of Bolton Twinned towns' factfile Students from Bolton schools on visit to Paderborn, Germany, in August 1986 They also attended the University of Greater Manchester’s new Institute of Medical Sciences and Bradshaw Cricket Club to take part in a short service at the World War 1 war memorial site. In the council chamber the delegation witnessed the signing of the 50th anniversary scroll by the Mayor of Bolton and Mayor of Paderborn, something that was first done back in July 1975.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary , two paintings were unveiled commemorating Bolton’s friendships with Paderborn and Le Mans. Mayoress of Przemyslu (Mrs Bazena Bakun), Mayor of Przemyslu (Mr Wojciech Bakun), Deputy Mayor of Le Mans (Ms Sophie Moisy), Mayor of Le Mans (Mr Stephane Le Foll), Mayor of Bolton (Cllr Andy Morgan), Mayor of Paderborn (Mr Michael These will be displayed Town Hall’s Paderborn and Le Mans rooms respectively. Town twinning is said to have a host of benefits for by providing cultural exchanges, school visits and the opportunity for collaboration and friendship.
This year, two teachers and 12 students travelled to Bolton as part of the delegation, which also attended the Palm Sunday service at Bolton Parish Church. Mayor of Przemyslu, Mayor of Paderborn, Mayor of Bolton and Mayor of Le Mans with painting of Paderborn Town Hall and Bolton Town Hall Just last year in July, Cllr Morgan and his team travelled to Paderborn to experience the twin city’s culture. Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Andy Morgan, said:“This was a celebration of not only our enduring friendship but of the values that bind us across countries, unity, shared history and hope for the future.
“The bond between our towns is reflected not just in official visits, but in the friendships, exchanges and understanding that have flourished through the years. “Here is to the next 50 years and to continued friendship, shared futures and many more memories to come.”.
