July 21 2014.


Seaford has been twinned with Bönningstedt in Germany for 30 years. It was a bold move made by local enthusiasts and clubs when there was no town council to assist and it has lasted.

The 30 year mark was celebrated with an informal event in Seaford in June with the participation of the Mayor. This month a party of 16 Seafordians, and 20 from the Seaford Silver Band, visited Germany to mark the occasion.

In Bönningstedt the Band played at a Beer Festival, a Mayoral Reception, a Battle of the Bands with the Hasloh Fire Brigade Band, and at a Church Service. Seaford Mayor Mark Brown wore his chain of office, a great talking point when meeting three German Mayors.

Bönningstedt is in the County of Pinneberg, twinned with East Sussex. Other towns including Uckfield, Polegate and Hurst Green have twins from that county. Their County President attended two of the events.

Other events in Bonningstedt included singing from the ‘Pop-Chor’ which has sung in Seaford in three concerts at the Martello Tower and Seaford Head School. There was a tour of the Newhafen developments in Hamburg Harbour, and a concert from an orchestra made up of 100 vintage domestic appliances.

Some members of the Twinning Association travelled 200 km east for a day or more in Crivitz, a pretty country town linked to Bönningstedt. They enjoyed two civic receptions, a tour of the lake and castle grounds in nearby Schwerin, and time with host families.

Anyone wanting details of either the Twinning Association, or the “Plauschgruppe” (German Language Conversation Group) should contact Peter White on 01323 897360 or peterwhitecrier@hotmail.com