Freunde von Sevenoaks e. V. - Rheinbach
Bundesrepublik Deutschland             (Federal Republic of Germany)

For many years Rheinbach’s German and English speaking residents have wished for a twin town in Great Britain, along with the existing twin towns of Deinze in Belgium and Villeneuve lez Avignon in France.

The choice went to the South English town of Sevenoaks in Kent.

Important steps towards the twinning of the towns.

1995 March Nigel Keen, an English man living in Rheinbach visits Sevenoaks and holds informal talks with representatives of the council. 8th November Interested residents of Rheinbach meet with the intention of founding a Club/Society; discussion and debate about drafting up the statutes and articles.     1996 3rd February The Mayor of Sevenoaks, Tony Clayton, visits Rheinbach.  Consequently residents of Sevenoaks form a Club/Society calling themselves "Friends of Rheinbach", hereinafter named „FoR“. 14th February Official founding of the Club/Society "Freunde von Sevenoaks ", hereinafter named  „FvS“,  in our meeting headquarters  „Hedi’s Weinstube“  with the election of the first Managing Committee. Margret Wittgrefe is voted as the first Chairperson. 12th - 14th April Visit of a group of „FoR“  from Sevenoaks; wine tasting and dinner in Mayshoß. 21st - 23rd June First trip to Sevenoaks with a tour of the town. 6th - 8th September Second journey of the „FvS“  to Sevenoaks. 11th December Christmas get-together in „Hedi’s Weinstube“.     1997 22nd February The „FvS" organise an evening with English music and poetry. March The Mayor of Rheinbach, Dr. Hans Schellenberger and the Town Director Gerhard Martini visit Sevenoaks. 2nd - 5th May Group of visitors from Sevenoaks in Rheinbach. Summer Start of the Youth Exchange: Two students from Sevenoaks stay for work placement in Rheinbach. Start of the Cultural Exchange: The Madrigal Choir of the Church of St. Martin, Rheinbach and the Fidelia Orchestra, Wormersdorf hold concerts in Sevenoaks. 8th - 16th November Participation in Rheinbach’s AutumnTrade Fair for the first time. Apart from Information about Sevenoaks and environments, English tea and shortbread is offered. 10th December Christmas get-together in „Hedi’s Weinstube“.     1998 14th - 18th  February Financial support for the Bromley High School Girls Choir during their visit to St. Joseph’s Grammar School for Girls, Rheinbach. 19th - 28th August To celebrate the 700 Year Anniversary of the town of Rheinbach the „FvS" organised a "British Week" which was a huge success. Many visitors and performers (Morris Dancers) from England took part in the celebrations. Not only members enjoyed the first “English Breakfast” in Rheinbach. October 1998 The „FvS" present the programme „Music und Poetry“ in Sevenoaks. 7th - 15th November Participation in Rheinbach’s Autumn Trade Fair. 9th December Christmas get-together in „Hedi’s Weinstube“.     1999 January Hanno Immenkötter, scholar at the Städtisches Gymnasium Rheinbach carries out a work placement for two weeks in an Old Folks Home in Sevenoaks. 13th February A group of visitors from Sevenoaks arrive for the Carnival and enjoy the local customs and processions. March Sarah Sticklies, a Rheinbach scholar, does her work placement in Sevenoaks for four weeks. 11th - 13th June A further, important step towards an official twinning: The City of Rheinbach hosted the visit of four representatives of Sevenoaks Council, including Ann Dawson the reigning Mayor, to the 700 Year Anniversary Celebrations which were coming to an end.  During the course of an extensive programme, the English guests were officially greeted at a reception in the Town Hall. 12th September This visit caused the ladies and gentlemen of Sevenoaks Town Council in a Council Meeting on the 12th September to arrange for the appropriate steps towards an official twinning. 5th - 7th November Participation in Rheinbach’s Autumn Trade Fair. 13th December The Councillors of both towns settle for the twinning. 15th December Christmas get-together.     2000 15th - 29th January Miriam L. Weiß, scholar at the Städtisches Gymnasium Rheinbach completes her work placement in Sevenoaks for two weeks. 26th January Herr Markus Radscheid, technical supervisor at the Botanical Gardens Bonn, püerforms a slide show and talks about the „Gardens of Kent“, in the Museum of Glass, Rheinbach. 7th May Participation in Rheinbach’s City Street Festival with info stand. 23rd - 25th June Signing of the Twinning Charter in Sevenoaks, Kent. 23rd June The German delegation, consisting of official representatives of the town of Rheinbach, under the leadership of the Mayor, Stefan Raetz, members of the press and „FvS“ arrive in Sevenoaks.  On their arrival they are heartily greeted by the Mayor of Sevenoaks, John London. 24th June Festive Twinning Ceremony at the „Vine Gardens“ Cricket field and signing of the Twinning Charter by the Mayors of each town, with subsequent reception in the pavilion.  Afternoon excursion to Knole House (the best maintained castle from the time of Henry VIII’s, 15th/16th Century). Evening celebrations with dinner in St. Juliens, a private club on the outskirts of Sevenoaks. The Flag with the coat of arms, of Rheinbach is presented to the town of Sevenoaks and presents are exchanged. 25th June Morning Service in St. Mary's Kippington. Performance by the School Choir of St. Joseph’s Grammar School for Girls, Rheinbach. Summer Nadine Warzel, student (Technical College, Koblenz) from Rheinbach works in Sevenoaks and completes her placement in a Day Nursery and in Walthamstow Hall Junior School. 19th August Barbeque in Rheinbach’s Leisure Park. 16th - 19th September Participation in the Autumn Funfair with a stand in Himmeroder Hof, adjacent to the fairground. 11th - 12th November Participation at Rheinbach's Autumn Trade Fair. 6th December Pre-Christmas get-together.     2001 4th - 7th May Official Celebrations of the City of Rheinbach on the occasion of the twinning with Sevenoaks. Celebration with musical programme and signing of the Twinning Charter in the City Hall, Rheinbach. 25th August Barbeque in Rheinbach’s Leisure Park. November Participation at Rheinbach's Autumn Trade Fair 12th December Pre-Christmas get-together.     2002 20th February Annual meeting with the election of a new Managing Committee. New Chairperson is Siegfried Formanski. 28th April  Participation at Rheinbach’s Street Festival. 6th - 7th July  A cricket team, consisting of 10 players including Rheinbach’s Mayor Stefan Raetz, take part in a cricket weekend in Sevenoaks. 14th July The second "English Breakfast" takes place in Brewery/Restaurant „Dröv“.  Stefan Raetz and Herr Feuser from the Town Council are guests. 14th September Barbeque in Rheinbach’s Leisure Park. September - December A scholar from St. Joseph’s Grammar School for Girls, Rheinbach, attends the Walthamstow Hall Senior School in Sevenoaks. 1st - 3rd November A delegation of 30 persons from „FoS“ accept the invitation from „FoR“ and travel to Sevenoaks. The dinner, with cocktails in St. Julian’s Private Club and the exchange of speeches makes the evening an outstanding event. For the following day „FvS“ accepted an invitation to join in the "Guy Fawkes Day" celebrations This visit is marked by the warm and friendly hospitality shown to us. It constitutes an important milestone towards the joint aim to secure friendship between both Clubs and the twinning of both towns. The „FvS“  look forward to the return visit of „FoR“ on the weekend 24th – 26th May 2003. 9th - 10th November „FvS“  have a stand at 3K (pre-Christmas bazaar) offering tea and biscuits. Also open day at the State College for Glass and Ceramic, Rheinbach. 11th December Pre-Christmas get-together.     2003 24th - 26th May Visit of 31 persons of „FoR" under the leadership of Chairperson Valerie Partridge in Rheinbach. Included among the visitors from Sevenoaks are Councillors Ann Dawson and Keith Looney, as well as Barbara Ide (Town Clerk). Programme: Saturday – Reception and evening meal in Burgrestaurant in Bad Münstereifel. Guests of Honour: Mayor Stefan Raetz and spouse.  A minutes’ silence was held in remembrance of John Buckwell of Sevenoaks who had passed away. Sunday – Visit to Cologne to Cologne Cathedral and the Old Town as well as  Konrad Adenauer’s house in Rhöndorf. Monday – Morning departure. 13th July English Breakfast in brewery/restaurant „Dröv“. 12th September Barbeque in Rheinbach’s Leisure Park. 1st - 5th October Participation in Rheinbach’s Autumn Trade Fair with Information stand. 8th - 9th November Participation in 3K pre-Christmas bazaar offering tea and biscuits with info stand.  Also open day at the State College for Glass and Ceramic, Rheinbach. 10th December Pre-Christmas get-together.     2004 11th February Annual meeting with election of a Managing-Committee. 11th July Third English Breakfast in the brewery/restaurant  „Dröv“  with many „FvS” members and their families. 10th to 12th December A delegation of the „FoR“ visit Rheinbach with 28 persons including 5 children and 5 new members under the leadership of their new chairperson Valery Partridge. Special events of this visit include the reception by the Mayor of Rheinbach in the Town Hall, a visit to the Museum of Glass and Rheinbach’s Christmas Market.  Dinner at restaurant „Dröv“ with a warm and cold buffet and Christmas music completes the visit.     2005 January First members’ meeting in our new headquarters restaurant „Eifeltor“. 15th February Seven scholars from Sevenoaks take part in an exchange to acquire practical experience in various businesses in Rheinbach. 15th - 19th June Trip to Sevenoaks to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the „FoR“  with participation in the City Festival and an extensive sight-seeing programme by glorious weather. 26th June Barbeque in Rheinbach’s Leisure Park. 4th September English Breakfast for the last time in brewery/restaurant „Dröv“. September - October Four weeks practical training for a teacher-trainee from Rheinbach in a Sevenoaks school with support and help from Gillian Theaker, a teacher herself and a member of the „FoR“ . 29th - 30th October Participation in 3K at the State School of Glass and Ceramic in collaboration with two other partner towns (Deinze, Belgium and Steinschönau, Czech Republic). 14th December Pre-Christmas get-together with dinner in the restaurant  „Eifeltor“.     2006 8th February Annual meeting with election of a new Managing Committee Farewell and recognition of Nigel Keen (10 years post of Deputy Chairperson). Joachim Weiß is elected as his successor and the other comittee members remain in office. February Weekly practical in Rheinbach with five scholars from Sevenoaks under the leadership of Gilian Theaker. 28th April - 1st May Visit from the “FoR” with extensive programme: + Historical sight-seeing tour of Bonn. + Guided tour of the Botanical Gardens, Bonn. + Christening of the new “Sevenoaks Roundabout” on    Koblenzer Strasse in Rheinbach. + Festive dinner in the canteen of the State College for Glass    and Ceramic in Rheinbach. 20th August Barbeque in Rheinbach’s Leisure Park. 22nd Oktober English Breakfast in our Headquarters "Restaurant Eifeltor", Rheinbach for the first time. 11th - 12th November Participation in 3K with info stand offering tea and biscuits. 13th December Christmas get-together in restaurant “Eifeltor”.     2007 14th February Annual meeting with finance plan and cash report. 19th August Barbeque in the Leisure Park of Rheinbach. 1st September Participation in the “Festival of Nations” event organised by the City of Rheinbach in co-operation with the Society for the promotion of City Marketing on the campus at the Technical University Bonn- Rhein-Sieg in Rheinbach. 27th - 30th September 40 Members and guests of the „FvS“ (adults and children) travel to Sevenoaks to visit the  „FoR“.  A visit is arranged to Canterbury and the Cathedral, also to the All Saints Church in Tudeley where the wonderful church windows from Marc Chagall can be admired. After a festive dinner with humorous speeches from both Chairpersons, Chris Ide and Siegfried Formanski, as well as lots of interesting conversations amongst friends the party from Rheinbach left Sevenoaks on Sunday morning. http://www.tudeley.org/index.html 21st October „FvS“ meet for their traditional English Breakfast in restaurant „Eifeltor“. 10th - 11th November Participation in 3 K with info stand offering tea and biscuits. 12th December Traditional Christmas get-together in restaurant „Eifeltor“.     2008 13th February Annual meeting with cash report, finance plan and election of the Managing-Committee All members of the old committee were relieved and elected for another two years.