Ellesmere Port strengthens German ties with mayoral visit
Ellesmere Port has formally hosted a delegation from its German twin town, Reutlingen, to mark the start of celebrations for the 60th anniversary of their twinning agreement. The visit, led by Lord Mayor Thomas Keck and fellow councillors, precedes the official milestone on 24 May 2026, exactly six decades after the partnership was first sealed in 1966.
Six decades of Anglo-German cooperation
The Mayor of Ellesmere Port, Councillor Katie Kendrick OBE, hosted the delegation to reinforce a partnership built on school exchanges, community visits, and cultural links. During the visit, both mayors signed a formal certificate at the Mayor’s Community Charity Ball to reaffirm the commitment between the two towns.
The relationship has historically facilitated personal connections across generations. Mayor Kendrick noted that the visit served as a reminder of how local communities can maintain international dialogue and cooperation through shared values and mutual respect.
Community visits and symbolic gestures
The itinerary for the Reutlingen delegation included several local landmarks and community projects. The group visited Men in Sheds, one of the Mayor’s chosen charities, and participated in a game of bowls at the Little Sutton Bowling Club.
The tour also extended to the Hooton Hangars and the Redrow Housing development, providing the German representatives with an overview of the town’s industrial heritage and modern expansion. The visit concluded with the Mayor’s Community Charity Ball, where the delegation met with local volunteers and community groups.
Commemorative tree and future partnership
To mark the anniversary, Lord Mayor Thomas Keck presented Ellesmere Port with a friendship tree and a commemorative plaque. The tree is scheduled to be planted in the centre of the town as a permanent symbol of the bond between the two locations.
Lord Mayor Keck stated that the gift represents the shared hope for the twinning to continue flourishing. The plaque will be installed alongside the tree to serve as a lasting record of the 60-year milestone. The partnership continues to be supported by the Friendship Group Reutlingen–Ellesmere Port, including the work of Toni Cioma and Fritz Schäfer.
Source: Cheshire West and Chester Council
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