22/02/2026
Celebrating Over 40 Years of Friendship: Banbury and Hennef
Since 1981, Banbury has shared a proud twinning partnership with Hennef, Germany. This past February (14th February), that bond was further strengthened during a vibrant and memorable visit.
A Historic Milestone
The highlight of the weekend took place on Saturday, with the official signing of the new Banbury and Hennef Friendship Agreement.
This landmark document was signed by Mario Dahm, Mayor of Hennef, and Shaida Hussain, Leader of Banbury Town Council.
The ceremony was a true international gathering, witnessed by members of both the Banbury and Hennef Twinning Associations, alongside representatives from Hennef’s twin towns in France and Poland. Banbury was proudly represented by:
* Shaida Hussain (Chairperson/Leader of Banbury Town Council)
* Helen Mears (Member of Banbury Town Council)
* John Donaldson (Chairman of the Banbury & District Twinning Association)
* And supporting (Banbury & District Twinning Association) members
Culture, Costumes, and Carnival
The visit was packed with cultural exchange and celebration:
* Saturday Evening: Guests dove headfirst into local tradition at a spectacular costume party, joining hundreds of people for a night of high spirits and community.
* Sunday: A more relaxed day spent exploring the rich history of nearby Bonn with an insightful museum tour.
* Monday: The grand finale was the Hennef Carnival. Despite the rain, the energy was electric as groups from across the town and surrounding villages put on a truly spectacular parade.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to our hosts and the Hennef Twinning Association for such a wonderful, extended weekend.
Thank you also to everyone from Banbury who traveled with us to make this event so successful.
It was truly a weekend to remember!