Dereham & Rüthen Twinning Association
Dereham has been twinned with the German town of Rüthen since 1984. Rüthen is situated about 1500 feet above sea level on the northern edge of the Sauerland between Dortmund and Paderborn; a picture postcard area. It is a Hanseatic Town, having joined the league in 1375. Currently the population is approximately 12,000. As in Dereham, Rüthen has two high schools, a band, a choir, social clubs and various sports teams.
The partnership arose from the personal friendship of two schoolteachers who met while at University, and since then it has thrived.
The official twinning Charter was signed by our Mayors, firstly in Rüthen during 1984 and then Dereham in 1985. Since that time, annual visits have taken place either to or from Rüthen and a number of individual friendships have developed. Whether visiting as a group or privately, a very warm welcome is guaranteed.
In the Market Place, Rüthen has a red English telephone box, an English postbox outside the New Rathaus in which to post letters to the Town Council and, at the side, is Dereham Platz.
For more information on, and how to become involved in the Dereham & Rüthen Twinning Association, please contact the Chairman:
Linda King
01362 694670