Newspaper Article

THE twinning of Torbay and Hameln has been a very successful way for people from Germany and England to get to know one another.

Many groups, from the police to local choirs, schools and football teams have taken part in exchanges, giving and receiving hospitality and getting to know each other's culture.

The churches of the area have been at the forefront of the movement and, last week, church members from Hameln and Torbay met in Goodrington Methodist Church to celebrate 25 years of Christian partnership in worship and service which has crossed frontiers.

The Celebration Service at Goodrington was the focal point of a week of celebration which included a dinner dance as well as many opportunities for the Torbay folk to share this beautiful area with their friends from Hameln.

The service, which was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress and MP Adrian Saunders, brought together many old friends of the Christian twinning.

Revd Frank Rothwell who was Minister at Goodrington 25 years ago, remembered Pastor Hans-Dietrich Ventzky coming to the Bay as a leader of a German Youth Group.

Pastor Ventzky and Revd Rothwell struck up a friendship based on shared experience and a desire that people from Germany and England should get to know one another better. Pastor Ventzky could not be at the celebrations this week, but sent a video message of happy remembrances and good wishes. Pastor Bernd Wrede joined Revd Rothwell in leading the Service.

The events of the celebration were organised under the umbrella of Christians Together in Paignton and involved churches from all denominations from right across the Bay.

It was an ecumenical party from Hameln too, because both Lutheran and Free Churches were represented. I hear that, in the past, the relationship between Christians from Hameln and Torbay made it possible for the creation of a similar organisation for Moslems from the two areas.

All this has been music to the ears of David Wotton, an originator and energetic supporter of the movement. His prayer is always for like-minded people to be given the opportunity to meet and get on with one another. He told me how delighted he was with the Sunday Service at Goodrington. He said, 'When different people come together in a central act of worship, that's what Christianity is all about!'

The guests from Germany stayed in the homes of Torbay people many of whom had received similar hospitality in Hameln. Old friendships were cemented and celebrated and many new ones created as the week progressed with all its activities.

The dinner dance was a marvellous success when gifts were exchanged, but central to everyone's memories of the week was the Service of Thanksgiving for 25 years of Christian partnership between Hameln and Torbay which has meant so much to so many.