Visitors coming from Aalen Germany 11th May 2017

During 2017 Christchurch Twinning Association continues to celebrate its links with Aalen. 2016 was the anniversary and start of 35th year of twinning between the two towns. In May 2016 two bands from Aalen (situated in the eastern part of the German state of Baden-Württemberg, about 45 miles east of Stuttgart) visited the town for the food festival and to play a joint concert with the Christchurch and District Band.

September 2016 saw Aalen play host to a small group from Christchurch during the weekend of the Reichsstadter Tage, a festival that celebrates the beer of the town with food, beer and music.

This weekend starting 12th of May 2017 will see 32 friends from Aalen fly in making the return visit to Christchurch for a long weekend and taking the opportunity to experience “life by the seaside”. Look at the map and you will see that Aalen is sitting centrally between the North Sea, Mediterranean and Adriatic seas, about 400 miles in any direction. It’s a long walk to the beach!

Whilst they are in Christchurch their stay will start with a Friday tour of Christchurch, the priory with an opportunity to view the town from the tower.

After lunch and a boat trip from the quay through the harbour to Mudeford quay, ending the day with a civic reception hosted by the Mayor of Christchurch. Saturday sees a tour of Swanage and the Purbecks, Sunday guided walks in the New Forest and back to Highcliffe Castle for tea. Monday will be a coach tour with the day in Winchester that ends with a social evening hosted by the twinning association at a local club. During the weekend excursions they will be accompanied by some of their twinning friends.