Delegation from Guildford’s Twin Town Freiburg Arriving Today

Published on: 9 Sep, 2016
Updated on: 9 Sep, 2016

Oberbürgermeister Dieter Salomon

A 13-strong delegation group of city councillors and officers from Guildford’ twin German town Freiburg, led by Oberbürgermeister Dieter Salomon, will visiting Guildford today (September 9).

The visit is the first since the referendum decision for the UK to leave the EU but it is not expected that decision will have any bearing on this or other town twinning arrangements.

Situated in south-western Germany and known as the Capital of the Black Forest, Freiburg is rich in history, art and culture. It has a 700-year old cathedral and its university was founded in 1457. It has several museums and art galleries including one devoted to modern art and there is a wide range of theatres, concert-halls and sports facilities.

Freiburg is near to the Black Forest and not far from the French and Swiss borders.

The German visitors will be welcomed by the Mayor and Mayoress of Guildford, Cllr Gordon Jackson and Mrs Sue Jackson along with Dr Peter Slade, chairman of the Guildford-Freiburg Association, join the group for an informal reception at the Harbour Hotel where the delegation is staying between September 9 to 11.

Pictured with the Mayor of Guildford are the Council’s Managing Director Sue Sturgeon (right); Leader of the Council, Cllr Paul Spooner (front right); Guildford Freiburg Association Chairman Peter Slade (front left) and Cllr Nikki Nelson-Smith, Lead Councillor for Heritage (left). The bench, set in the Castle grounds, is an exact copy of one presented to Freiburg during a visit last year by Cllr Jackson in his role as Deputy Mayor.

Included in a busy programme is:

A tour of sites included in the “Heritage Open Days” weekend including: Abbots Hospital, the Chained Library at the Royal Grammar School, Guildford Castle and Grounds, Watts Gallery.
A visit to the University of Surrey with tea in the state of the art 5G Centre.
A civic dinner in the Guildhall with entertainment provided by the Guildford Shakespeare Company.
Visits to Silent Pool Distillers, Albury Organic Vineyard and then on to Chilworth Gunpowder Mills – for the opening of the Tillingbourne Trail and a traditional Sunday carvery at The Percy Arms, Chilworth.

Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Jackson, said: “Guildford and Freiburg have enjoyed an excellent relationship for 37 years as twin towns. There is enormous goodwill here towards our Freiburg friends and we want to further strengthen our relationship. We are delighted the visit is taking place this weekend and we very much look forward to giving a warm British welcome here in Guildford.

The badge of the Guildford-Freiburg Association

“We are keen to show just some of the many attractions of our borough including Guildford Castle, Abbot’s Hospital, Chilworth Gunpowder Mills and the University of Surrey. Both towns share a reputation for innovation and are rich in history, art and culture.”

The Guildford Freiburg Association, set up in 1979, promotes understanding between the two towns and strengthens the bonds between them. This is mainly through contacts – personal, social, sporting, cultural and official; and exchange visits and links – between the University of Surrey, Guildford College, schools, businesses, clubs and societies.

The association is very active, with 170 members. It is always looking for new members and ideas, and wants to encourage more school and sporting exchanges.

For more information go to our VisitGuildford website: VisitGuildford.com/TownTwinning. To contact the Guildford Freiburg Association go to surreycommunity.info/gfa.