14 I news WEEK ENDING JANUARY 10, 2010 www.kentnews.co.uk for all the news and sport Goodwill gesture A FRIENDSHIP born out Four friends’ attempt to move on from of the need to lay the pain and suffering of the Second the pain of war has blossomed in to World War to rest celeb- rates its 50th anniversary half a century of sharing. JON COATES this year. The link between Tunbridge Wells finds out more about our twin town and in Germany started out as a need for reconciliation and Victoria flew out for their first visit to strengthen yet further the cultural peace after the horrors of war. But it the twin town and were the guests of links that exist.” has now flourished into a cherished honour at the grand opening of The friendship was started by four friendship creating education, arts, Wiesbaden’s Sternschnuppenmarkt, former Marines from Tunbridge Wells business and sporting opportunities. its traditional Christmas market. who were looking to lay the horrors of The association between Tunbridge They attended a cabinet meeting at war to rest. Fred Thornton, Harold Wells and Wiesbaden was made offi- the City Hall, met Wiesbaden Rotary Hooker, William Murray and Tom cial with the signing of a twinning Club members and visited pupils at a MacAndrew all fought in Germany in agreement 20 years ago. grammar school that sends 20 stu- 1945 as teenagers. It fostered cultural links that now dents for work placements in west But it was only in 1959 when a sees schools from both towns work every year. German man came into Mr Thorn- together on projects and enjoy ton’s store to return some money after exchange visits, sport teams playing Twins being given too much change the day each other and business partnerships Another important part of their before that the former commando being set up. official visit was to meet members of started to change his attitude towards The cross-Channel friendship is the Twinning Partnership Organ- the nation. seen as more relevant than ever by isation and undertake discussions Mr Thornton placed a small adver- community leaders eager to learn with key people involved in music, tisement in a German magazine say- from each other by sharing knowledge theatre, art and businesses, who are ing English soldiers who had fought in and expertise. keen to see even greater links 1945 would like to get in touch with But they are concerned that many between the twin towns. German paratroopers and received a people living in Tunbridge Wells do Cllr Price said: “This visit was made reply from a group in Wiesbaden. not even know that they have a twin to strengthen the deep-rooted and The four former Marines, who were town in Germany. special relationship between Tun- all in their early 30s, visited the spa The Mayor and Mayoress of bridge Wells and Wiesbaden. town lying between the River Rhine Tunbridge Wells visited Wiesbaden “In the present financial climate and the foothills of the Taunus recently to strengthen the links and Tunbridge Wells must take every Mountains the following year. prepare to celebrate the golden opportunity to expand the trade and Professor Michael Holman, chair- anniversary this year. employment potential that develops man of the Tunbridge Wells Twinning Cllr Leonard Price and his wife from this relationship and to and Friendship Association, said: lasts for 50 years “They decided to go out and meet of themselves around the world is For the first time Wiesbaden had a these chaps they had been trying to impressive. Wiesbaden is twinned stand at Christmas kill during the war. with 12 or 13 towns, Tunbridge Wells Market last month, selling its famous “They wanted to build a better world just with one. At the moment they are chocolate and wine. so their children would not have to go setting up a link with a part of To mark the 50th anniversary of the through what they had gone through. Istanbul in Turkey. friendship T S Brilliant Sea Cadets, “It was about reconciliation and “I do not think most people in from Tunbridge Wells, are raising making peace with the enemy, so the Tunbridge Wells even know about our money so they can perform at Fasching association between the town was twinning link, but it is something we parades in Wiesbaden next month. quickly set up. This was formalised can gain a great deal from. The German town’s Kulturamt with the signing of the twinning char- “Wiesbaden is the centre of the wine (Cultural Affairs Department) is also ter 20 years ago.” making region of Germany and has a keen to have Trinity Theatre Club from The retired professor of Slavonic big wine festival in August every year. Tunbridge Wells present their project- studies from Tunbridge Wells, who I would like to have a wine festival in ed summer 2010 open-air production speaks Russian, Bulgarian and Ger- Tunbridge Wells as the centre of the of Treasure Island at the Wiesbaden man, added: “Now it is about cultural industry in Kent.” open-air theatre festival in July. links, whether through schools work- ing together and learning from each JERREAT PAUL Picture: other, or wine makers working togeth- er. It is about moving horizons, with hockey and football teams visiting, and music and arts exchanges.” Wiesbaden is a short drive from the business hub of Frankfurt. With a population of about 270,000 people it has been the capital of the State of Hesse since 1945. Prof Holman said: “Wiesbaden liter- ally means the Bath in the Meadows. It is a beautiful place and still has hot water coming up through the ground. Some of the homes in its centre are still heated by the hot water. “We have a lot to learn from them and the way they do things with regards to waste disposal, public transport, organisation, and pride and consciousness in their town. “Their togetherness in everything they do and desire to project an image