The Mayor recently welcomed a German marching band to the Parlour during their exchange visit to Wrexham.
Local youth theatre group, Theatr Yr Ifanc, are based at the Stiwt Theatre in Rhosllanerchrugog. They are also twinned with a marching band called Spielmannszug Drüpplingsen from Märkischer Kreis.
Back in 2023, after a successful fundraising campaign, Theatr Yr Ifanc sent thirty young people over to Märkischer Kreis for an exchange visit. This year, our twinned friends came over to pay Wrexham a visit and, while they were passing, dropped in to pay The Mayor of Wrexham a visit.
A decades long connection
2025 is a landmark year for the twinning connection Wrexham has to Märkischer Kreis. We have been twinned with them for 55 years this year. The official twinning links were adopted from our previous authority of Wrexham Maelor Borough Council back in 1996 and the proud links have remained strong all these years later.
Mayoral welcome
Whilst taking in the sights and stories of Wrexham, the members of Spielmannszug Drüpplingsen were treated to a visit to the Mayor’s Parlour. The Mayor of Wrexham, Councillor Tina Mannering, was delighted to meet our visitors.
She regaled them with a fascinating insight into the history of the city with the help of some historical artefacts on display in the Parlour. Her guests discovered all the inner working of the council and had the chance to have any questions they had answered by the Mayor.
Celebrations all round
In addition to the wonderful exchange, Theatr Yr Ifanc celebrated their 35th anniversary in style. Both groups held a joyous performance at the Stiwt Theatre and wowed the crowd with their talents. The Mayor was also in attendance to join in with the momentous occasion. She said “It has been so lovely to meet our exchange visitors.
Having them come and see me was delightful and a fantastic opportunity to share our stories and experiences. A big thanks to the organisers who curated such a brilliant trip for our guests and for having me join you for your anniversary concert. It was a privilege to witness such incredible talent both from our community and our extended family of Märkischer Kreis”.
Five facts about Märkischer Kreis
- The ancient town of Altena, nestled within Märkischer Kreis, is famous for making chain-mail armour for medieval knights.
- In the city of Iserlohn stands the iconic Danzturm Tower. It a well-known part of the landscape. So famous is the tower, it features on the logo for the local brewery, rather like our very own Wrexham Lager.
- The name Märkischer Kreis comes from the fact that most of the areas territory once belonged to the county of Mark.
- Both Märkischer Kreis and Wrexham are also twinned with Racibórz in southern Poland.
- Rather like Wrexham, Märkischer Kreis has a long industrial history. The abundance of timber in the area made steel working possible a long time before Ruhr coal became so easily available.
