The annual Neighbours Day celebrations this year took place in glorious weather in The Piece Hall on May 29th. The event is organised by Action Halifax and promotes the activities of organisations working to improve local neighbourhoods and contacts between residents in different localities.
This year the Society was able to display its new exhibition boards illustrating the development of the links with Aachen over the last sixty years.These proved extremely popular with visitors to the stand, including many people who were reminded of visits they had made to Aachen in the past. A number of old connections were renewed and reminiscences shared.
The event was jointly opened by Councillor Arshad Mahmood, Mayor of Calderdale and Dr Jürgen Linden, Lord Mayor of Aachen. Both Mayors were presented by George Keith, Chair of the Society, with copies of the new booklet produced by the Society Celebrating 60 years of Friendship 1949-2009.
In the evening, the Mayor of Calderdale hosted a reception in the Town Hall for Dr. Linden and his wife, Mrs. Hanne Stuckenburg (Chair of the Partnership group in Aachen) and her husband, Halifax Aachen Society members and friends who had come over from Germany for the occasion. This was a very enjoyable evening that was greatly appreciated by the Society.
During the weekend, the Society was also able to show Dr. Linden and his wife some of the attractions of the town including the restored Wainhouse Tower, People’s Park and Shibden Park as well as a visit to the Victoria Theatre for a performance of the musical Buddy.
Geoff Barnes, Committee Member
