1 week Ago By [email protected] (Garry McCartney)
SIXTY Germans enjoyed a week-long visit to the area to celebrate the anniversary of a 40-year-old twin town partnership. The visitors from the Lower Saxony area of central Germany stayed as guests of the Forres and District - Vienenburg and Goslar Twinning Association (FVGTA) in local homes and B&Bs, on their tourist trip culminating in the re-signing of the original charter. Chairman of the Vienenburg Twinning Association and Mayor of Vienenburg, Martin Mahnkopf, confirmed that, partly as a result of the visit, the partnership is “in full bloom”.
He said: “We have steadily expanded our relationship over the years, and in addition to long-standing friendships, others have been added. “These include school exchanges with the Forres Academy and the fifth exchange between Forres Area Soccer Sevens and JSG Goslar Nord. I am therefore very pleased that we are expanding the future of our associations with young members.
“I would like to thank everyone for their extremely warm and generous hospitality. We will be happy to return the favour in the coming years." FVGTA chairman, Dave MacFarquhar, explained that, due to a revised local government structure, Vienenburg - with whom Forres has been twinned since 1984 - was incorporated into the larger city of Goslar in 2014.
He said: “The visit was a great success, partly owing to the splendid weather experienced over the first few days, but also to the planned events and hospitality provided by the hosts. “It was the first time in Scotland for many of the visitors. There was a feeling that the next 40 years would see further strengthening of existing links between us.
” The tour party included 41 citizens of Vienenburg and surrounding villages, five members of Goslar Council including the Oberburgermeisterin (Lord Mayor) and her husband, ten 16-year-old footballers from the Vienenburg area and four coaches. Their trip was funded via the FVGTA and around £4000 from the Berry Burn wind farm Community Fund. Most of the group arrived from Hanover via Glasgow Airport and a coach which took a scenic route north via Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Fort William and the Great Glen.
“It was a journey none of them will ever forget,” said Dave. “The weather was stunning and the views spectacular.” A further delegation landed at Inverness Airport, including the Goslar councillors and football team.
The footballers were housed in the pavilion in Grant Park by Forres Area Soccer Sevens. The formal highlight of the visit was a reception in the Tolbooth Courtroom. A revised Charter of Reaffirmation of the partnership was signed by Goslar’s Lord Mayor, the chair of the Vienenburg Association and their equivalents from Moray Council, as well as the Forres Twinning Association.
Photographs from the original signing of the charter - in the same venue - 40 years ago were shown on the big screen. Toasts were raised and the FVGTA anthem 'Mair Licht' - composed by the late Drummond Cook and recorded by the Culbin Singers in 2012 - was played to a receptive audience. After the Reaffirmation Charter was signed, the Moray councillor responsible for twinning, James Allan, presented a scroll to the Lord Mayor of Goslar.
Later that evening, a dinner held in the Mosset Tavern, with music provided by Chris Stepien and his band, was attended by nearly 100 people. The attendees enjoyed a display of Scottish Country Dancing by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. On the Saturday, Forres Soccer Sevens took on the Goslar North football team at Grant Park.
“It was an exciting tussle,” said Dave. “Soccer Sevens went three goals down but staged a dramatic comeback with two goals and, but for the heroics of the German goalkeeper, might well have forced a draw!” That evening, there was a supper with entertainment at Rafford Village Hall. Forres and District Pipe Band greeted the guests and later there were displays by members of the June Roy Highland Dancing Group.
David Morrison entertained with his guitar and Freya Harris - daughter of Forres Academy's head of languages - played a number of tunes on the clarsach to great acclaim. After a free day to do whatever they chose on Sunday, the visitors headed up to Dunrobin Castle on the Monday before experiencing miserable weather on their last day. “It didn't dampen their spirits too much,” said Dave.
“They still enjoyed a fish and chips lunch in the Stotfield Hotel, Lossiemouth while looking out on a wild Moray Firth lashing the coast with impressive waves - Goslar is a long way from the sea! “On the Tuesday evening, there was a farewell barbecue at Forres Golf Club. Forres Pipe Band again entertained and, after a last coming together for ‘Auld Lang Syne’, the party was finally over - at least for this year!” Forres Twinning Association is hosting its annual Beerfest at Forres Town Hall on Saturday, October 26. Forres Area Soccer Sevens is in the early stages of planning a trip to Vienenburg and Goslar.
And there may well be a school exchange in 2025. For more information visit https://forres-twinning.co.
uk/.
