Strengthening International Friendship: Bracknell’s Twinning Visit to Leverkusen
By Liberal Democrat Terry Enga
Members of the Bracknell Twinning Association recently visited Leverkusen, Bracknell’s twin town in Germany, marking more than 53 years of friendship between the two communities.
The visit was a wonderful opportunity to experience German life, history and culture while deepening the long-standing ties between the towns. Leverkusen takes its twinning commitments seriously, maintaining partnerships with eight towns across eight countries, and its relationship with Bracknell remains one of its most enduring.
A Warm Welcome and Shared Challenges
The delegation was welcomed at Leverkusen’s modern town hall, where they met the Mayor. He spoke openly about the challenges facing his town—many of which closely mirror those faced in Bracknell. The discussion highlighted how much our communities have in common, despite the distance between them.
Exploring History, Industry and Innovation
The programme offered a rich variety of visits. At the Freudenthaler Sensenhammer Industrial Museum, the group learned how skilled blacksmiths once used powerful mechanical hammers to forge scythes and sickles for agricultural harvesting until the factory closed in 1987. In Bonn, a guided tour of the botanical gardens showcased vital conservation work, followed by a visit to the magnificent cathedral and its peaceful medieval cloister. The Neanderthal Museum brought human evolution vividly to life through fossil casts and lifelike reconstructions. Back in Leverkusen, visits to the Villa Römer history museum and the vast Bayer industrial complex illustrated how the town’s development has been shaped by one of the world’s most influential chemical companies, known globally for products including Aspirin.
Cultural Highlights
A memorable day in Cologne included a visit to its monumental cathedral—begun in 1248 and completed in 1880—and the impressive steel bridge spanning the Rhine. Travelling by train through the Rheinland, enjoying traditional German cooking, and watching barges glide along the river added to the enjoyment of the trip.
Friendship at the Heart of the Visit
Time spent with German host families offered a personal insight into everyday life in Leverkusen. An evening at the Leverkusen Twinning Base featured a talented local choir performing songs by the Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel, and numbers from Hair. During the evening, Terry Enga gave a short speech reflecting on the similarities between Bracknell and Leverkusen—complete with a few words in German—before the visit concluded with a farewell meal and singalong in Opladen.
A Partnership That Endures
The visit reaffirmed the value of the Bracknell–Leverkusen partnership: bringing people together, deepening mutual understanding, and reminding us that lasting international friendships are built through personal contact, hospitality and shared experiences.