We have a visit to our friends in Moenchengladbach from 17 to 24 September 2013 (see Autumn 2013 Newsletter)
A small party of us visited Moenchengladbach in December 2012 (Details to follow)
Our friends from Moenchengladbach visited us from 2nd to 9th June 2012 (Details to follow).
Report on Visit to Moenchengladbach 30th September to 7th October 2010
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17 of us had a fabulous week in Moenchengladbach. We were looked after royally by our friends.
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We were also treated to a full programme. In Borussia Moenchengladbach’s modern stadium, (a bigger version of the Stadium of Light) we were given an extensive enlightening tour. We visited costume and flax museums, Andernach, the second oldest town in Germany, and a geyser near the Rhine. We were given a guided tour of Moenchengladbach old town by Dorothee and Claudia. We also had a civic reception in the Town Hall, which is an old monastery.
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As part of the full week of activities our friends organized a courageous day trip to Brussels, concentrating on a visit to the European parliament. The combined group was welcomed by Herr Karl-Heinz Florenz, the MEP who represents Moenchengladbach in the European Parliament. Following an explanation of the operation of the European parliament, Herr Florenz welcomed questions in German and English from the assembled group. The group were then given a conducted tour of the European parliamentary chamber. We had our resident interpreter Dave Carr with us, who had previously asked why he had been persuaded to join the NTTTA. He knows now.
Our President, the Chairman of North Tyneside Council, Councillor Duncan McLellan, and his wife, Judith, joined us in the activities for two days, including Brussels. He thanked our hosts for being so hospitable, and said that that his visit had been hectic, but wonderful.
There was also free time for private visits, such as to Cologne and its magnificent cathedral and night life, or schools, or the Ardennes or Dusseldorf. And for the boring people in the group, like your Chairman, a visit to Moenchengladbach’s enormous hole for lignite 10 km x 10 km x 150m deep was another free time highlight. And of course many social events throughout the week.
We also had much precious time with the hosts’ families.
The week was completed at a Farewell Party in the ‘Alte Zeughaus’ Here we thanked all those who had organized the week, and in particular those who had hosted. There had been ‘Viele Freundschaft und Spass’(friendship and fun). We had all made or renewed our friendships.
Gerti Karten said at the end of the visit ‘We have really enjoyed the week your group stayed in Moenchengladbach. Everyone was so relaxed, friendly, and nice. It was a pleasure to have you here. Thank you for visiting us’.
We are looking forward to our friends’ visit to us in 2012
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Report on Visit October 2009
Seventeen visitors from Moenchengladbach recently enjoyed a week of culture, activities and friendship in North Tyneside.
North Tyneside Twin Towns Association has had exchanges with their sister organization in Moenchengladbach most years since 1983.
The programme for the week included a ceilidh at North Shields Rugby Club, together with Northumbrian pipes and songs, a guided visit of Durham cathedral and city, visits to pubs in North and South Shields and Whitley Bay, the new Whitley Bay Playhouse, the new and old Tyne Tunnel development (with talks in German and English), Arbeia Roman Fort in South Shields, a ‘Ferry across the Tyne’, a Newcastle/Gateshead tour and visit to the new City Library, listening to the Backworth Male Voice Choir, and also an ‘Elvis on tour’ concert, a civic reception at The Quadrant, and a Farewell meal at Picasso’s, and party at The Northumbria Hotel.
In their free time the guests spent time with their hosts in varied activities, such as enjoying North Tyneside’s coastline, shopping, visiting Cragside, Craster or Hadrian’s Wall, or schools, taking part in a Whitley Bay German Circle meeting, and social gatherings.
Gerti Karten, the Moenchengladbach leader for the week, said ‘We have all spent a wonderful week in North Tyneside. We have enjoyed the interesting and varied programme you have produced, and all of us have enjoyed the great hospitality given to us’
At the civic reception, Thomas Killenberg also from Moenchengladbach Twin Town Association said ‘We were wondering if we could be a catalyst in involving our town’s organizations, such as schools, in exchanging with and visiting North Tyneside, and are thankful of the support given in this by the Chair of the North Tyneside Council, Councillor Michael Huscroft ‘
Viv Havard , Chairman of North Tyneside Twin Towns Association, summed up the visit later by saying ‘It was fabulous to see our friends from Moenchengladbach again and also to meet new friends in the party on their first visit to North Tyneside. We wish to thank all those from the many organizations involved in the programme which helped in making the week a memorable one.’
North Tyneside Twin Towns Association is an independent, voluntary, self-financing organization, which operates separately from the civic links between North Tyneside and it’s twin towns.
The Association proposes to visit Moenchengladbach Twin Towns Association in 2010.
We last visited Moenchengladbach in October 2007
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Go to Links for Moenchengladbach DEF website :- 'www.staedtepartnerschaften-mg.com'
