But this nostalgic piece of Britain is a symbol of a civic partnership that is now into its second quarter century. The silver jubilee of the twinning between M rkischer Kreis and the Borough of Wrexham Maelor was celebrated in Wales and Germany in 1995. This official contact has been an unqualified success, with benefits for both peoples, and the architects of the scheme deserve our gratitude. Flags of Honour Over 25,000 have taken part in a partnership which has twice been officially awarded flags of honour by the Council of Europe. These recognise the vitality of an active and successful exchange and the friendships that have developed.
Visits take place each year.
The European ideal of drawing people together to develop a mutual understanding has been achieved and the many youngsters taking part make officials hopeful for future contacts. These have all fostered friendship and a real understanding between people of two areas which have a great deal in common. The original twinning was established on 17th March 1970 between the former Kreis Iserlohn and Wrexham Rural District. Its early success ensured that, after local government re-organisation in both countries in the mid 1970s, the partnership was taken over by the new councils of M rkischer Kreis and the Borough of Wrexham Maelor. Many twinnings established in the early years of the partnership in the 1970s are still active.