Brackley Celebrates 50 Years of Twinning with Montabaur

Posted 7 hours ago in Residents' Information

Brackley recently marked 50 years of friendship with its twin town of Montabaur, Germany, with a special visit from the Bürgermeister and a group of Montabaur residents who have been involved in visits and exchanges over the years.

At the heart of the celebration was the Iron Flame – a symbol of unity first gifted to Brackley by Montabaur in 1975 – which has recently been restored and was proudly displayed at a celebratory dinner held at Egerton Hall. During the event, the Mayor of Brackley read aloud the original message of friendship that accompanied the Iron Flame when the two towns were officially twinned in May 1975:

"This is the flame of friendship. Guard it against the winds of prejudice and indifference. Tend it with a belief in, and striving towards, high ideals that in the years to come this small flame shall grow, burning, cleansing our nations of intolerance of race, colour or creed."

Among the guests were The Hon Mrs Alexandra Williams, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire; Mrs Anita Robbins, Chair of the Brackley European Association; the Bürgermeister of Montabaur; the Mayor of Brackley; and Cllrs Nash and Sharps from Brackley Town Council. Brackley Wind Band also performed a short concert to honour the occasion.

As part of the tradition, gifts were exchanged. Montabaur presented Brackley with a slate stand crafted from locally quarried slate, while Brackley gifted Montabaur a wooden plaque marking 50 years of town twinning friendship. The plaque, made in Brackley using ethically sourced wood from Whittlewood Forest, will be displayed in Montabaur Town Hall.

Article and photos by Cllr Kate Nash