As we reported in October’s magazine, a celebration took place at Hotel Wrexham in mid-October as part of a visit to our county by our German twin town, Märkischer Kreis. The evening was a great success and notable for the presence of Deputy German ambassador Christian Doktor, Wrexham mayor Tina Mannering and the performances of the Spielmannszug Drüpplinsen marching band. Theatr Yr Ifanc Rhos 1990 sang for the audience in Welsh.
“Schützenfest”
Craig Weeks, Operations Director at JCB Power Products, was another attendee and our own Stefan Paudler and Hotel Wrexham Commercial Director Peter Schriewersmann were happy to explain the German tradition of “Schützenfest” to Craig and companions.
Natalie Edwards, Trustee of Theatr Yr Ifanc Rhos 1990 and director of Done Together CIC, also attended. Natalie was the driving force behind almost all of the envoy’s activities during the week they were here.
Theatr Yr Ifanc, Rhos 1990 Youth Theatre, has its headquarters at the Stiwt Theatre in the heart of Rhosllannerchrugog. TYI offers performing arts classes to children from across the Wrexham Borough and beyond. They teach all aspects of the performing arts, from dancing and acting to singing and musical theatre. CIC is a women-led CIC specialising in strategy, campaigns, events, training and community programmes that create meaningful, inclusive change throughout Wrexham and its surrounding regions.
Exhausting Itinerary
Here’s the exhausting itinerary Natalie organised for the visitors:
Monday: trip to Stori Brymbo at 10am. Walk with Walkabout Wrexham around Trevor and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct at 2pm. The evening saw them at Hotel Wrexham, taking part in the twinning celebration.
Tuesday: trip to the Guildhall, where they met the mayor, Tina Mannering, from 10-11.30am. They then had a guided visit around St Giles, including a trip up the bell tower. Later, they spent time in Wrexham, visiting Tŷ Pawb and the Wrexham Football shop in Eagles Meadow. Natalie had hired the Penycae Football Club after receiving funding from AVOW’s young influencers. Her youth members organised a whole night of fun, including a quiz, karaoke, pizza and a disco!
Wednesday: the gang visited Liverpool.
Thursday: trip to the Wrexham Miners Rescue at 10.30am before walking up to Castell Dinas Bran! That evening, they all celebrated the 35th anniversary of Theatr yr Ifanc Rhos 1990, and Spielsmannzug Drüpplingsen performed on stage.
Friday: return to Germany.
Community Spirit
Natalie commented, “We were incredibly lucky to be so strongly supported by the volunteer community in Wrexham, who accepted quite small donations to make sure our German friends had a lovely time.”
Peter Schriewersmann commented, “The Twinning between Wrexham and Märkischer Kreis (Germany) is now well and truly alive again and will continue to go places. It just shows what an aligned strategic focus, real community spirit and teamwork can achieve.
“The excellent Natalie and her colleague Dan brought the Spielmannszug Drüpplingsen and the talented Theatr Yr Ifanc for an evening of celebration, music and fun to Hotel Wrexham.
“With Dorothea Muecke-Herzberg’s help, we convinced Germany’s Deputy Ambassador to the UK, Christian Doktor (born in Märkischer Kreis!), to attend. Also at the event were the amazing Mayor Tina Mannering, Beccy Hutchinson (Airbus), Craig Weeks (JCB), Sharon and Jon Roberts (Wrexham Lager), Amanda Evans (Wrexham Capital of Culture BID 2029), Clive Barnard (ITSG), Nicola Eaton Sawford (Stori Brymbo) and Jim Jones (North Wales Tourism).”
“They Blew the Roof Off!”
Wrexham mayor Tina Mannering enjoyed the evening too: “Our Twinning visit to Märkischer Kreis rekindled the strong relationship we have both on a civic and personal level. This partnership of friendship and commitment was evident in a wonderful evening held last month at Hotel Wrexham.
“Thanks to Peter Schriewersmann and Done Together CIC for organising this friendship of decades. This was a fabulous evening of music and song from the youth theatre group Theatr Yf Ifanc Rhos and the Spielmannszug Drüpplingsen, a traditional marching band from Märkischer Kreis. They blew the roof off!
It was an honour to have Germany’s Deputy Ambassador to the UK, Christian Doctor, join us. Strengthening international business links and opportunities like these can only improve innovation, collaboration, and growth for both our great countries. I can only thank everyone who was involved and look forward to watching this relationship blossom.”
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