Farming friendship spawns twinning bond with German city

 In 1966 a young student, Rheinard Mantau, came from North Westphalia in Germany, to work on Ken Egglestons’ family farm in Long Clawson, Melton Mowbray. So began a long friendship between the two boys that endures today and would eventually involve numerous twinning trips between the two countries. As the two friends’ lives and careers developed Reinhard became involved in teaching young farmers with numerous farming trips to England whilst Ken would develop his own successful dairy farm and pedigree cattle breeding business. Several years later both men would, independently, join their own local Rotary clubs determined to help others and uphold the Rotary motto of ‘Service Above Self’.

In 1992, a small group from Melton Belvoir Rotary Club travelled to Coesfeld for initial talks intended to establish twinning arrangements between the two clubs and in 1993 the first official visit of Coesfeld Rotary to Melton occurred and the Twinning Charter was signed, establishing that the clubs would make alternative visits every 2 years. This arrangement has continued ever since without exception other than during the covid pandemic.

Last weekend was the 13^th twinning visit of the two clubs when a party of 18 visitors from Coesfeld visited Melton to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Charter of Melton Belvoir Rotary Club in 1984.

Over the weekend a packed programme of activities was enjoyed by all including visits to the British Car Museum as well as various local venues and to view previous projects that the two clubs have cooperated on at the Dove Hospice. 

On Saturday evening there was a superb meal at Sysonby Knoll Hotel for around 60 people including the Rotary District Governor, Chis Knight. A speech by Immediate Past President, Gordon Wells, recounted the history of Melton Belvoir Rotary over the last 40 years and the twinning visits between two clubs and their joint projects both here and overseas.

In reply the Coesfeld Rotary Club President, Joerg Wenningmann, also paid tribute to the long friendship between the two clubs and the joint projects and presented a cheque for 500 euros towards the next project which has still to be decided.

Following various individual group activities on Sunday morning everyone gathered together at Ashby Folville village hall for a final buffet meal before the visitors were taken to Birmingham airport for their return home.