Hameln Visits

 If you like the music on this page click above for the words of the song

Torbay – Hameln Churches
Visits to and from Hameln - the town of the 'Pied Piper' (der Rattenfänger)
(In association with Christians Together in Paignton)

The towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham that make up the Unitary Authority of Torbay have been officially twinned with Hameln (Hamelin), Germany for many years.

It was in 1977 that Pastor Hans-Dietrich Ventzky from the Evangelical Lutheran Münster of Hameln came on a visit to Torbay with three young people from his church. They were with of a party of Youth Leaders whose purpose was to try to establish links between organisations of like mind in the towns.  (Torbay was officially twinned with Hameln in 1975 when the Twinning Charter was signed by dignitaries of both towns)

Shortly after Pastor Ventzky returned to Hameln an invitation was received for a party representing the churches of Paignton to visit Hameln as guests of the congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Münster. This invitation was accepted and a party representing mainly members from Goodrington Methodist Church visited Hameln in 1978.  A return visit by folk from Hameln was made in 1980.

The friendship between our church communities has continued and, apart from a short break, the visits to and from Hameln continue on an established four-year cycle. On two occasions the visits were extended to involve other Faiths and this has resulted in a Link being established between the Muslim Community of Hameln and Torbay.

The Münster and Münsterbrücke after a fall of snow

Contact us about our links with Hameln.

Click to read more about the town of Hameln.

Click to hear the sound of the 'Pied Piper'!

Click to listen to the tolling of the Münster bells

Click to listen to Alexander Kuhlo on the Münster Organ play "Fantasie in F minor, K.608" (Allegro Maestoso) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Contact our Minister – Revd Dermot Thornberry
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Music - Copyright © Derek Elson 2000 - Paignton (Palace Avenue) Methodist Church
Last modified: July 2010