Twinning visit to Weil Am Rhein June 2022

Maralyn Green • July 20, 2022

Excursions to The Black Forest Germany, Basle Switzerland and Mulhouse, France

Days out in France, Switzerland and the Black Forest were all part of an amazing programme of outings laid on recently for members of the Bognor Regis Twinning Association by Bognor’s twin town, Weil am Rhein in southern Germany. With stunning weather throughout the 6 day visit, the first outing was to Mulhouse in France where the best car museum in Europe is situated. The museum houses the huge private car collection of the Schlumpf brothers, billionaires whose business eventually went bankrupt in the 1976 oil crisis. The collection was discovered and later opened to the public. A railway museum was also an alternative option to visit before exploring the town itself.

 

In Switzerland, a visit to Basle included a city tour along with a guided tour of the historic City Hall before time to enjoy the city more. The following day Bognor members were taken to the Black Forest for a very packed day, starting with a visit up Mount Hochblauen, where they were surprised with refreshments of wine and cake while enjoying views of the Jura mountains and the Alps! Then onto Badenweiler Castle and the nearby impressive remains of the Roman Baths and spa. The afternoon was spent at the Horticultural Garden Show in Neuenberg am Rhein.

 

In honour of all the Twinning visitors, a Civic Reception with buffet was given at the Weil am Rhein Town Hall one evening with speeches by the Town Mayors of Weil am Rhein and of Trebbin, and with Mrs Heather Perrott speaking on behalf of the Mayor of Bognor Regis.  Bonds Big Band, made up of students from the local music school, provided musical entertainment. On the very last evening the local scout group prepared truly excellent food for a dinner for all Twinning members and their hosts. Bognor members stayed either with hosts they already knew or those, taking part for the first time, were welcomed by new friends. Such an enjoyable and action-packed visit was over too soon. Fortunately, despite problems with air traffic and airports, the journey home went without a hitch.

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.
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And the winners are....