With celebrations in full swing of the remarkable 50 years friendship between Ellesmere Port and Reutlingen, the Port Arcades joined in the historic landmark.
The recent visit by Oberbürgermeisterin Barbara Bosch and 10 civic representatives from the German city together with the youth ambassador and two parties of young people saw the party make their way to the shopping centre to view the Ellesmere Port and Reutlingen Mosaic at the Rivington Road entrance.
They were also able to take a trip down memory road perusing the vast collection of photographs taken over the last 50 years.
Herr Albert Schuler, former Burgermeister of Reutlingen, who was involved in the initial twinning arrangements, accompanied by his son Andreas, made the trip back to Ellesmere Port for the celebrations.
Both enjoyed having their picture taken in front of the plaque celebrating the then 25 years of town twinning and friendship.
The 30,000 tile mosaic combining the historical, cultural and industrial sky lines of both towns was originally unveiled by Herr Schuler as a gift to the town of Ellesmere Port from Reutlingen.
Fireflies Choir and Dee Signing Choir entertained shoppers to celebrate the occasion and there was a fundraising tombola to raise funds for future exchanges.
Reutlingen’s own 50th celebrations are taking place from June 17 to 20.
Those travelling from Ellesmere Port will include St Paul’s ward councillor Angela Claydon who is the Lord Mayor of Chester, Ellesmere Port mayor Peter Rooney, last year’s mayor Lynn Clare, who welcomed the recent Reutlingen delegation to the town and Cllrs Paul Donovan, Tony Sherlock and deputy mayor Karen Shore.
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Friendship group representatives will be chairman Toni Cioma and Joan and Keith Butcher while MP Justin Madders and former MP Andrew Miller will also be joining in the celebrations.
Others taking part will include students from the Catholic High School, a football team taking part in an international twinning tournament and past and present musicians from the University Church of England Academy led by the school’s head of music Garry Mercer.
Events will range from the opening of Reutlingen’s Town Festival by Lord Mayor Barbara Bosch and a presentation about developments in the city followed by bus tour to visit to current projects to an official ceremony in the Town Hall.
The south west Germany city has told their expected visitors from Ellesmere Port: “We hope you have a wonderful stay in Reutlingen.”
