Visit to Bockenem 2010

Well, that’s it for another year; German phrasebooks and dictionaries packed away and time to reflect on another successful visit to our twin town, Bockenem, in the Ambergau in Germany. This year we flew from Birmingham to Hanover where we were met by our hosts for the short drive to Bockenem. I couldn’t help wondering why, since Bristol is twinned with Hanover, there are no flights between the 2 cities – it would certainly make travelling easier. It was good to meet old friends again, and some new ones too.

The group gathered around a 14th Century statue in the middle of old Bremen

The next morning, Saturday, we were officially welcomed by the Burgermeister (mayor) Martin Bartoelke and Ulrike Schumann, the Bockenem Twinning Chairman, at a reception in the Rathaus (town hall). In the afternoon glorious sunshine added to the pleasure of a walk along the Laves landscape trail. Laves was an 18th century architect who built a large residence in expansive grounds, landscaped in the Capability Brown fashion. The walk took us through woodland and pasture passing such interesting buildings as a Greek style ‘tea house’ and a pyramid shaped mausoleum. The inevitable coffee and cakes rounded off the visit.

Typical narrow alley in the old Schnoor district of Bremen

Sunday’s entertainment was in the hands of our hosts. My wife and I were taken to Marienberg Castle built in the mid 19th Century by George of Hanover (cousin of Queen Victoria) as a present to his wife. It was used as a summer residence. It is an imposing neo-Gothic structure festooned with turrets and curved slate roofs rather remniscent of Disney castles. Inside is an extensive collection of family artefacts and paintings while the tower affords a wonderful panorama of the surrounding land. In the evening, the Burgermeister entertained us to drinks and snacks.

Unfortunately, low cloud, occasional rain and a cool easterly breeze greeted us on arrival for our visit to Bremen on the Monday morning. The history and sights of the old part of this famous Hanseatic port were described by an excellent English- speaking guide. The tour included the cathedral, the Rathaus and some very narrow alleyways with an amazing variety of shops. While much of the Renaissance architecture fell victim to the bombing campaign of World War 2, most have been faithfully reconstructed as they once were such that, today, we have an interesting mix of stone structures and some early 20th Century brick buildings like as those of Bottcherstrasse. After an excellent lunch, we spent the afternoon in the Universum – a modern science museum where we had the opportunity for some hands-on experience of scientific experiments.

Our impressive steam locomotive prior to going up the Brocken

Tuesday was the last day of our visit, and, once more, we were looked after by our hosts. For me the day was a real treat – a ride in a steam train up the Brocken, the highest mountain in Northern Germany at over 4000ft. The trip was delightful in every respect going from picturesque Wernigerode - a lovely Harz town and popular tourist venue - up the mountain all in lovely sunshine. The Brocken enjoys considerable cultural significance with the Germans. It was a Soviet listening and radar installation during the Cold War and access was denied to the civil population for over almost 50 years.

Its reopening was greeted with great celebration with over 2000 people gathering on the summit to celebrate their new-found freedom in 1989. As it was, there were around 300 – 400 people on the top during our visit getting there by steam train, on foot, by bicycle or horse-drawn wagon. The former Soviet station is now an interesting museum. Others in our party went to Quedlinburg not far from Wernigerode which is another lovely half-timbered Harz town and a World Heritage site undergoing extensive reconstruction after years of neglect under Communist rule. Some went to Thale, also in the Harz mountains while the more energetic went walking in the forest behind Bad Salzdetfurth (twinned with Yate)

On top of the Brocken with our hosts with modern communications aerials and old Soviet listening station in the background

In the evening, the final function was a dinner in the Jagerhaus (hunting lodge) in the middle of the vast forest behind Bockenem. This is an interesting building with an underground chapel dating from the middle ages and was a favourite with a certain Herman Goering – a keen hunter. The walls are festooned with hunting paraphernalia and trophies. In all a most enjoyable affair and it rounded off our visit in fine style.

Final evening dinner in the Jaegerhaus Hunting Lodge

Sadly, our visit was soon over and it was back to Hanover airport on the Wednesday morning for the trip home. Overall this year’s visit was a notable success enjoyed by participants from both towns and blessed in the main by warm sunny weather. We look forward to seeing our Bockenem friends at the beginning of June next year. 2011 is a special year marking the 25th anniversary of the signing of the twinning charter between Thornbury and Bockenem. Make a note of the date now and if you would like to be involved in any way or just to register an interest then contact the Chairman, Nigel Hale or Judith Payne, the Town Clerk.

Vince Robertson

About the Twinning Association

German fairly tale sculpture in the middle of old Bremen. The Germans touch the forelegs of the donkey and make a wish - hence the polished legs!

The Thornbury Twinning Association was set up in 1986 to promote links between Thornbury and Bockenem in Germany, and help us understand how other people live.

The two towns are well-suited, being of a similar size and mentality.

We arrange regular exchange visits between the towns. Because we stay with families, we see how people really live in that part of Germany.

Twinning is for everyone in Thornbury, not just the civic members of the the town. Everyone who goes on a visit is expected to pay for the coach and the air fare. Accommodation with German hosts is on a reciprocal basis.

Social activities are not neglected, and although there's no local wine, there are numerous opportunities to sample the local beer, along with the local sausages, smoked meats, cheeses and delicious cakes.

From the beginning, Thornbury's Castle School has maintained strong links with the Wilhelm Busch Realschule in Bockenem, and there are exchanges both ways each year. The children often work in a variety of local jobs to improve their German.

There's plenty to see and do in the area, and now we can travel easily to nearby East Germany. There are attractive towns to visit, such as Hanover, Hamelin, Wernigerode and Quedlinburg (now a World Heritage Site), as well as the beautiful scenery of the nearby Harz mountains.

The Twinning Association welcomes new members - if you'd like to know more, host German guests or join us on a visit to Bockenem, call our Chairman Nigel Hale on 01454 884042 and e-mail .

Alternatively, you can contact Judith Payne, Town Clerk on or 01454 412103.