On 5th and 6th June we were honoured to host friends from Warstein this weekend, to celebrate 30 years of twinning between Hebden Royd and Warstein.
Hebden Bridge Twinning Society organised a full programme of events over four days, including a presentation on natural flood management from Slow the Flow and a visit to Hardcastle Crags and Gibson Mill.
On Friday 5th June we welcomed our guests to the Council Chamber at Hebden Bridge Town Hall, where we held an open discussion on the topic of Refugees, Migration and Forced Migration. The event was chaired by the Deputy Mayor of Hebden Royd Town Council (HRTC), Councillor Alex Turner. HRTC Councillor Scott Trickett relished the opportunity to utilise his German speaking skills in providing live translation where it was required.
During the discussion, the two municipalities shared experiences and local success stories in helping sanctuary seekers and newcomers to feel welcomed and able to fully participate in local life. Guests from Warstein shared ways they had supported people seeking asylum after fleeing civil war in Syria, including reducing barriers to integration through language-learning opportunities run by volunteers. Cllr Turner raised local initiatives including the work of the St. Augustine’s Centre and the Calder Kindness charity shop in Hebden Bridge, which was set up to support Ukrainian refugees. Cllr Keith Butterick noted the work of the Friends of Hebden Bridge Picture House in creating the UK’s first ever Cinema of Sanctuary, where refugees and people seeking asylum could attend the cinema and feel welcomed, safe and included in the community.
This peer-to-peer knowledge sharing across borders provided invaluable perspectives and shared learning.
The open discussion was followed by an evening of food, music and further conversation on Saturday 6th June, attended by guests from Warstein, hosts and members of Hebden Bridge Twinning Society and the Hebden Royd Town Council Twinning Committee.
We’re extremely grateful for this connection between our two towns and would like to thank our guests for their openness and enthusiasm during this cultural exchange between Hebden Royd and Warstein. Here’s to another 30 years of partnership!
