Town twinning

South Ribble is twinned with Kreis Schleswig-Flensburg in northern Germany, close to the border with Denmark.

The special relationship was established on 18 April, 1980, with the aim of encouraging friendship, understanding and mutual benefit between the nations.

Despite the 900-mile gap between the two regions, the relationship has blossomed and we have continued to share information and learn from each other.

In 2006 South Ribble Borough Council hosted a special civic tour to celebrate 25 years of friendship, welcoming civic leaders from the region of Schleswig-Flensburg for a three-day visit.

Over the years, sports clubs and churches from Penwortham, Leyland and Bamber Bridge, have travelled to Germany and a youth exchange programme has seen dozens of youngsters from local schools visiting the area.

A historic document was signed and sealed, pledging by solemn oath:

• to strengthen friendships between our communities
• to use mutual endeavours to bring closer together our youthful generations by carrying through exchange programmes
• by all means at our disposal to establish an exchange between the inhabitants, associations, organisations and groups of people in our communities and
• to pursue all routes which will lead to a thriving relationship closely binding our people together.