British German Association planning first regional online meeting in May

Raymond Hagger • February 26, 2023

Ray Hagger reports on meeting with other regional representatives

Our Chairman Ray Hagger who was recently appointed the BGA Representative last week met with all the other BGA representatives together with Dr Susanne Frane head of the Section for Culture and Education at The German Embassy.  It was clear the German Embassy are super keen to promote and help strengthen Town Twinning and highlighted several resources and groups we can have access to in particular associated with Universities, German Business and Schools.  The BGA Youthbridge programme is also a great vehicle to help us get into schools teaching German.  The Embassy are also looking at ways the BGA regional representatives can be introduced to local German business and others with an interest in Germany.


The representatives discussed a number of issues in the regions including how we can support towns where the twinning is council led etc.  There was  lot of positivity and all the regional representatives came away from the meeting very enthusiastic as both the BGA and German Embassy are clearly working hard to support Town Twinning between the UK and Germany.


By Maralyn Green March 1, 2026
At the Regis School of Music, members of the Bognor Regis Town Twinning Association gathered for their AGM and to listen to the Association’s achievements over the past year. Mrs Heather Perrott, Chairman, led the AGM and praised the success of the Town Twinning Association in 2025. The social programme had been much enjoyed comprising rambles, a boules tournament, a quiz evening, luncheons, games evenings, talks, coffee mornings, and the ever popular Beaujolais Bistro, which sold out all 52 places quickly. A second Murder Mystery Evening was as successful as the first when members dressed up as the 14 suspects, whilst the rest of the guests tried to figure out who was the dastardly Murderer. At the Morning of Christmas Cheer, Father Christmas arrived with two rather adult-sized elves and quizzed guests as to the names of all his reindeer. Members were amused by his stories whilst partaking of the mulled wine, spiced apple punch and generous buffet available In May, visitors from our French twin town of St-Maur-des-Fossés, located near Paris, came to Bognor for several days, staying with members of the Twinning Association. A guided walking tour of Bognor, finishing in the Bognor museum, was arranged as well as visits to Petworth House, West Dean and Chichester. In June members of the Association visited Weil am Rhein, in the vineyard region of Southern Germany, and were treated to several days of visits to Switzerland and France, as well as the Black Forest. Members stayed with friends, old and new, and enjoyed evening receptions laid on by the Town Hall and also by the Weil am Rhein Association. Mrs Perrott was unanimously approved by the AGM as the new Chairman for 2026. Mr Patrick Hastings was welcomed as the new President of the Association. Mr Hastings has been a long-term active member, who was Chairman back in 1987 when Bognor initially twinned with Weil am Rhein.
By Raymond Hagger September 22, 2025
Town Twinning: What went wrong
By Maralyn Green September 1, 2025
And the winners are....