A delegation of councillors from the town of Coburg in Germany were taken on a tour of Newport last Saturday to celebrate 40 years of friendship between Coburg and the Isle of Wight.
The tour began with a visit to Newport’s Museum of Island History, where visitors could explore a special exhibition on the history of Coburg as well as scenes of rural life on the Isle of Wight. They were then taken on a historic walking tour of Newport by the Island Heritage Service, where they learnt about its successes as a market town.
Councillors from both sides also enjoyed some sporting action as they participated in challenges set up by local athletes in the run-up to the Island Games, taking place in Guernsey in 3 weeks’ time.
The walking tour ended with a much anticipated visit to Constable’s ‘The Cornfields’, on show at the new premises of the Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council on the high street.
Next, the visitors were taken to Branstone Farm, where they were given a tour of the business park, residential area, and the biosphere gardens, highlighting the island’s work on its UNESCO biosphere status. The visit ended with a tour of Goddards Brewery, showcasing the best of local produce and industry.
During the visit, the Chairman of the council was presented with a 3D printed statuette of Prince Albert as a token of appreciation and friendship from the Coburg delegation. Prince Albert, born in Coburg in 1819, was a regular visitor and thereafter resident at the Island’s Osborne House alongside his wife Queen Victoria and their children.
Claire Critchison, Chair of Isle of Wight Council said:
“It was a pleasure to host the Coburg visitors and celebrate this milestone anniversary.
“It is wonderful that the union has been kept going and I hope it is as strong in 10 years’ time for the 50th anniversary.”
Peter Jackson, from IOW German Twinning Association said:
“IWGTA members are looking forward to a return trip in October when we shall celebrate the anniversary of our long-standing friendship in Coburg with councillors and members of the Coburg Town Twinning Association, who visited the Island earlier in May.”
“IWGTA members are looking forward to a return trip in October I am sure they are all .. full expenses paid .. by the islanders .. and for what !! .. when the IWC is cutting services everywhere for lack of funds .. this jolly should be stopped … but won’t
Wow ! They must have been really impressed by a tour of the empty shops and desolation that is Newport
Success as a market town?? Sorry I forgot, this is success as designated by public sector bureaucrats, so probably means the number of double yellow lines they have painted anywhere and of course their successful destruction of the lower high street with their Covid tyranny a couple of years ago, as well as the accelerated closure of other shops and businesses thanks to council war on the motorist and parking charge greed – Newport is dying on its feet thanks to the actions of the council, let’s hope Coburg don’t learn any lessons from it for their sake
Complete and unjustified waste of our money and that’s just the first round. Stop this waste immediately.