This week the Mayor of Bolton celebrated the 50th anniversary of Bolton being twinned with Paderborn, Germany.
The Mayor was visited by the delegation from Paderborn including the town’s mayor, Mr Michael Dreier.
Also in attendance was the delegation from Le Mans, France which is also twined with both Bolton and Paderborn, including the Mayor of Le Mans, Mr 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.
The Mayor of Przemyśl in Poland, Mr Wojceich Bakun, also attended along with eleven members of the Anglo-German club.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary, a civic reception was held at Bolton Town Hall as well as a range of visits across the weekend.
Attendees learned about Bolton’s ongoing regeneration, the borough’s bold 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.
They also attended the University of Greater Manchester’s new Institute of Medical Sciences and Bradshaw Cricket Club to partake in a short service at the World War 1 war memorial site.
Guests were then invited to the council chamber to witness 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 further commemorate the 50th anniversary, two paintings were unveiled commemorating Bolton’s friendships with Paderborn and Le Mans.
These will be displayed Town Hall’s Paderborn and Le Mans rooms respectively.
Town twinning benefits everyone by providing cultural exchanges, school visits and the opportunity for collaboration and friendship.
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.”