Other Bolton members had an opportunity to meet the Paderborn Group in the evening at a film show at the Club’s premises, before some of the Bolton members left to greet the Le Mans party at Liverpool airport later in the evening.
On Friday, both groups attended a reception given at the Town Hall by Bolton’s new mayor Councillor Critchley, who reminded everyone of the mayor’s parade from the Town Hall to the Parish Church on the Sunday. Both Paderborn and Le Mans turned out in force to wish him well. After meeting the mayor, our guests enjoyed a tour of the Town Hall which again was much appreciated, not least because it was raining heavily outside.
However, the rain eased and both parties had a guided tour of Bolton with a French speaking guide. Perhaps the highlight here was when the landlord of the Old Man o’ Scythe invited everyone inside, told them stories of ghosts and ghoulies, but more importantly, quenched their thirst with cider.
It was not possible to take both parties round the BBC on Saturday, but Paderborn were fascinated on their tour which overran by 30 minutes. At the end of the tour, the party were invited to perform a radio play which had been translated into German. After a false start, they performed the play with great panache, although there were no Oscars awarded afterwards.
Le Mans were taken to the Science Museum and spent many hours wandering around the exhibits. Some of course, made their way to the shops and helped to regenerate a faltering British economy.
Both Clubs were entertained to dinner at the Holiday Inn in the evening and each Club presented a short programme of films.
Sadly, Paderborn had to return home on Sunday and so missed a trip on a Lake Windermere steamer from Lakeside to Bowness and a superb lunch at the Burnside Hotel.
The visit marked the 20th anniversary of our relationship with Paderborn. It was the first visit by Le Mans and strongly reinforced the friendship between the three Clubs which hopefully will continue for many years to come.
Bolton is twinned with Paderborn in Germany and Le Mans in France. Over the past
20 years strong links have been developed with Paderborn Video Club www.padeborner-
In 2008, both Paderborn and Bolton visited Le Mans and in 2009 we were delighted to welcome both Clubs to Bolton, this being the first visit by Le Mans. Special arrangements had been made for both Clubs to stay at the Holiday Inn in Bolton. We had a full day with Paderborn before Le Mans arrived when we visited the World of Glass Museum in St Helens.
