Stuart and I spent several days last week in Newbury's German twin town Braunfels. We flew out on Wednesday 28 and flew back on Friday 30 March. We stayed in a comfortable hotel in the centre of the old town, a few yards from the Italian cafe that serves delicious homemade ice cream!
We were treated to a lovely meal out on the Wednesday evening by members of Braunfel's twin town committee, and on Thursday we caught the bus to nearby Wetzlar and I bought some typical German Easter decorations in the new mall, then we looked around the photogenic old town.
In the evening we attended the event we had gone there for - the Mayor Making at the House of Guests. The sitting Mayor, Deiter Schmidt was retiring after 12 years in office, and following elections last October, the new Mayor (pictured shaking my hand) Wolfgang Keller has now officially taken office. Unlike the UK, the Mayors of all German towns and villages are directly elected, paid and full time, and serve for 6 years minimum. I wished Herr Keller well in his new role - he won the election convincingly, and seems to have a good following. Also unlike the UK, the Mayor Making consisted of three and a half hours of speeches, none of which I understood!
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