Exhibition marks 50 years of Cleethorpes twinning with Königswinter

The exhibition, which is open on Thursday, is celebrating 50 years of Cleethorpes being twinned with Königswinter

Half a century of Cleethorpes being twinned with a German riverside town is being marked by an exhibition.

Since 1974, the Lincolnshire town has been twinned with Königswinter - a summer resort situated on the Rhine.

The exhibition, at Cleethorpes Town Hall, features copies of the first correspondence between representatives of the towns, newspaper clippings and photographs.

There are also take-home recipes for German cheesecake.

Keith Brookes, chairman of Cleethorpes Charter Trustees, said: "There's not many... local authorities that have got an active twinning with a town in Europe still active after 50 years."

Christine Walker (left), Sue Pinyoun, Elaine Smith and Helen Steel were on the 1975 trip to Königswinter

The exhibition features several first-hand experiences of the first exchanges between the towns, including from local pupils who visited the German town in 1975.

Christine Walker, who was on the trip, previously spoke to the BBC about the visit.

Highlights of her trip included a cruise and drinking Erdbeer Bowle - a strawberry cocktail concoction, served in a punch bowl - in the garden.

Mr Brookes said: "I've heard now that some of those families that did exchange have now had children and they're in touch with their children. It's really gratifying to us."

The exhibition is one of a number of events being held throughout 2024 to celebrate the anniversary

Both town halls have rooms named after their twins, with pictures of past visits adorning the walls, said Mr Brookes.

"This remains like this all the time and it's well used for meetings of the council," he said.

North East Lincolnshire mayor Steve Beasant said: "It's absolutely marvellous that we continue [the twinning], and we need to continue it for the good of both towns."

The exhibition is open from 10:00 BST to 14:00 BST on Thursday, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.