German visitors visit twin region

MORE than 30 visitors from North West Germany visited the former borough of Restormel last week, keeping the tradition of twinning alive in Cornwall.

Restormel's link with the Ditmarschen region goes back nearly 20 years.

One of the guests, Gunter Hirche, said: "This was my first involvement with twinning and I was so impressed with the organisation. I loved the beauty of the area – so much so that I would like to return on holiday."

Restormel Twinning Association's honorary secretary, Ebby Anstey, describing the visit, said: "Among the group of 30 Ditmarsians alighting from the coach in St Austell were eight people who were experiencing twinning for the first time. The group was representing no fewer than 11 different organisations.

Welcome

"Inside the council offices there was a warm welcome for the group by the association's chairman, Sue Blaylock.

"A full but relaxed programme was provided with activity participation for the Ditmarsians with their counterpart host families.

"Golfers in the group enjoyed a round at Newquay Golf Club, having a link with the Gut Apeldor course in Ditmarschen.

"All group participants and host families were invited to visit the Porthcurno Telegraph Museum, one of the world's most important cable stations, and go for lunch at the famous Logan Rock Inn.

"At the Bergfest (half-way mark event) on Wednesday evening last week, the group relaxed before continuing with the remainder of the week's activities.

"Restormel teenage students Leah Penk and Jessica Rundle gave a delightful musical performance playing saxophone, clarinet, trumpet and French horn in the restaurant at the Headland Hotel, Newquay, and the Newquay Rowing Club singers provided wonderful after-dinner entertainment which was well received by members and our German guests."

Chairman Sue Blaylock, addressing everyone, said: "Anticipation is a very strong feeling and as twinners it is the time we spend waiting for the coach to arrive, then seeing all those smiling faces that we maybe saw waving us goodbye a year ago, but for the eight new twinners, a feeling of uncertainty that we all experience on that first twinning visit. We are so pleased that you have joined us and we hope you enjoy your stay.

Change

"Although we still remain Restormel Twinning Association, the so-named district council no longer exists. With local government reorganisation, we now have one council for Cornwall. There is, however, the lower order of government in town and parishes, with the electorate voting on June 4 for the new authorities.

"We all dislike change but I think we should be pragmatic and welcome change and hope the new Cornwall Council will breathe a fresher air to the quality of life for the people of Cornwall.

"It is a testament to our twinning association that we are always gathering new members and this year is no exception. So, we go forward in the knowledge that we will do our utmost to continue this institution that is the Restormel and Ditmarschen Twinning Association. If the whole world were twinned, in the words of Louis Armstrong, what a wonderful world we would live in."

In his response, honorary secretary of the Ditmarschen Twinning Association, Dietmar Grein, passed on kindest regards and best wishes from Dr Jorn Klimant (chief executive), Karsten Peters, Kreisprasident and Gudrun Seifert (twinning association chairman) who were unable to come.

He said: "We are glad that we could come with a large group. It's good that we have first time twinners again showing that twinning is as lively as always.

"We have enjoyed some wonderful days with our host families and the weather was on our side with the sunshine and blue sky. We again had the opportunity to gain new friendships and deepen older ones, so we can see that twinning works.

"We look forward to coming events, more days of friendship and laughter and hope to meet again in Ditmarschen in 2010 for the 20th Twinning Week."

Friendliness

Young Ramona Grein said: "I have really enjoyed my first experience of twinning, I've loved the friendliness of the people; the landscape is very special and I'll be back again."

Ebby continued: "During Thursday's trip to the China Clay Country Park in St Austell the group was given an excellent guided tour and a fascinating insight into china clay.

"The afternoon was spent at the two-acre Pine Lodge Gardens, where the group were able to witness a collection of more than 6,000 plants, all of which are labelled.

"And so to departure day, prompting Antje Schmielau, another first-time twinner, to say that she had felt 'so much at home, it was a wonderful experience, a very special experience'.

"Despite the demise of Restormel Borough Council, this voluntary-run organisation continues to strengthen its ties with Ditmarschen, with sons, daughters and now grandchildren from both districts in permanent contact with each other and making individual visits outside of group exchanges.

"This recent visit was another success story and yet again it's very encouraging and rewarding to hear such comments from more first-time twinners. The value to the economies of both the former borough area and Cornwall cannot be emphasised enough."

For more information, contact Ebby Anstey on 01637 878445 or honsec@restormeltwin.wanadoo.co.uk