North East Lincolnshire and its Partners in Germany

Introduction

When and why did Grimsby and Cleethorpes, now North East Lincolnshire become twinned with Bremerhaven and Königswinter?

• Bremerhaven is our oldest twin town, the partnership with Grimsby was set up in 1963. Both towns have similar history and background with connections to the fishing industry and commercial ports.
• Cleethorpes partnership with Königswinter started in 1974. Both towns are situated in a tourist area offering various attractions and have light industry.

Bremerhaven

Bremerhaven is the largest town on Germany's North Sea coast and is sited on the margins of the River Weser.

Who lives there?

• Bremerhaven and all its partners have a multi-cultural population.

What is it like?

• Bremerhaven is an old town with beautiful churches, cobbled squares, a light house and a very well kept promenade. It also offers a prosperous commercial area. Like Grimsby, its commercial facilities include car terminals with ro-ro berths supported by an international distribution centre.

• The fish docks have been redeveloped and house fish smoking facilities, restaurants, office accommodation and training centres for the fisheries industry.

  Bremerhaven is a fun place to visit during the Summer Festival. It takes place in July and for a week Bremerhaven is almost a 24 hours a day festival - music, food, dance and, of course, beer. One of the most interesting aspects of the festival is the "Partners in Europe", the twin towns -Cherbourg, Frederikshaven, Pori, Szczecin, Kaliningrad and sometimes North East Lincolnshire have representatives there sharing experiences, culture, and economic information. For a week, Bremerhaven is the tourist capital of Germany.

What about culture?

• Although a good percentage of Bremerhaven was destroyed in air raids, amazingly buildings have been reconstructed according to their original plans which makes the old town a fascinating place for tourists. The museums-maritime, science , history and art centres provide a rich and entertaining attraction to all types of visitors.

What links does Bremerhaven/North East Lincolnshire have?

• Bremerhaven Firemen are linked with Grimsby Firemen and North East Lincolnshire Community Twinning Association.   The Bremerhaven Police are linked with North East Lincolnshire Community Twinning Association.  

How to get there?

• Bremerhaven is easily accessed by ferry and road or via plane to Bremen followed by a short car journey. 

Konigswinter

Königswinter is situated on the margins of the Rhine, near Bonn and Cologne.

Who lives there?

• Königswinter and its twin town of Cognac have a multi-cultural population.

What is it like?

• Königswinter is a medieval town at the foot of the Siebengebirge slate hills and with the Rhine at its feet.  It is a wine and fruit growing region. It has good shopping facilities and amongst its various tourist attractions are the cruises on the Rhine and the Lorelei rock.

• When it comes to festivals, the area has a wide choice, - the first Saturday in May sees the "Rhine in Flames", the flames being illuminations in both banks of the Rhine. October sees the Wine Festival and fun fair, and in December  the traditional Christmas markets take place. The surrounding villages also offer varied festivals.

What about culture?

• Art ranging from the classical to the avant garde can be found in Museums, churches and throughout the town squares. The Benedictine Abbey of St Michael, the remains of the 800 years old Trutzburg on the summit of the Drachenfels, the Castle Drachenburg, etc are just a sample of the local art and culture.

What links do Königswinter/ North East Lincolnshire have?

• The Raschendorf Male Voice Choir is linked with GCDMVC

How to get there?

• Königswinter is served by Bonn/Cologne Airport which is only a short journey away by car or train. Ferry followed by road journey is also a favourite way of travel of various groups

Community Twinning Association.

2001 saw the foundation of the North East Lincolnshire Community Twinning Association (web site under development). The Association, still in its infancy, is an all encompassing body of groups and individuals with varied interests and welcomes all who have an interest in joining an established group , bring their own along or start a new link. 

Please contact Mr. M Landrey, The Community Twinning Association on email mikelandrey@btinternet.com or Telephone - 077 611 368 91

  Would you or your group like to set up a twinning association or link with Bremerhaven or Konigswinter?