Council Vice Chair hosts a reception for visitors from Bielefeld, Germany

Recently the Vice Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Allan Rainey MBE, hosted a reception for visitors from Bielefeld, Germany.

The is a copy of the speech delivered by the Vice Chair at the reception:

Fellow Councillors, District Mayor, Head of the Municipal District, ladies and gentlemen

As Vice Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, I am delighted to welcome you all to The Townhall, Enniskillen this evening for this reception to welcome our visitors from Bielefeld (Beel-a-felt) and the Highland Dragon Pipe Band.  I extend a particularly warm welcome to the District Mayor, Jesco von Kuczkawski, and Head of the Municipal District, Hans Georg Hellermann.

I would also like to welcome the members of Enniskillen Pipe Band and Lisbellaw United Football Club.

I understand Enniskillen was first twinned with Brackwede (Brack-vade-a) in 1958 until 1973 when the suburb was incorporated into the city of Bielefeld.  Notably this was also the year that the legacy Fermanagh District Council was formed.

I am also told that the first school exchange took place in 1972 and in September 2022, the Chair, Councillor Barry McElduff, hosted a reception for students from Bielefeld and Enniskillen Royal Grammar School in Enniskillen Castle.

Since the Twinning arrangement was first established, strong connections and friendships have been made between the residents of Bielefeld and Enniskillen, as well as through the Highland Dragon Pipe Band, Enniskillen Pipe Band and Lisbellaw United Football Club.

Although there is currently no formal Twinning arrangement in place with the Council, we are delighted that these connections   have been maintained.  This is important to ensure that the twinning history is preserved for future generations and that our residents continue to have opportunities to explore each others countries and cultures, exchange experiences, develop joint projects and, most importantly, make lasting friendships.

On behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and on my own behalf, I would like to officially welcome you to the Fermanagh and Omagh District.  I hope you have enjoyed your time here so far and that you continue to enjoy your visit for the remainder of your stay.  I also wish you a safe journey home when the time comes and we hope that you will return again in the near future.

Thank you.