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27th September 2024
At tonights twinning meeting (held on Thursday 26th September 2024), it was proposed by John Byford and unanimously supported by members of the association, that Julie Chapman becomes an honorary member of the association.
Congratulations Julie
9th September 2024
‘Two Voices’
An art project in Bad Gandersheim, initiated by British artist John Byford from Skegness, has expanded with a new sky-blue bench installed next to the previously established English telephone box. Both pieces are painted in Byford's favorite color, sky blue, symbolizing the connection between the sky and sea, a theme he continues to explore.
The telephone box, originally installed in 2015 as part of the twin town partnership between Bad Gandersheim and Skegness, has gone through several color transformations, each reflecting different themes. These ranged from commemorating fallen soldiers of the First World War to addressing Brexit and celebrating the State Garden Show in 2023.
Now, with the addition of the bench, Byford has integrated literary references into the project. Both the box and bench feature quotes from Alfred Lord Tennyson's works, including his poem "The Two Voices." This reflects the evolving thematic depth of the installation, emphasising the connection between the twin towns through art, culture, and conversation.
At the inauguration of the bench, attended by a delegation from Skegness and local officials, the plaque on the bench reinforced the message of unity, encouraging visitors to relax and perhaps be inspired by the exchange of ideas and creativity the project fosters. > MORE INFO
22nd April 2024
A twinning visit to Bad Gandersheim has been organised for September 2024 and is now fully booked. If you would like to join us for a future visit to our wonderful twin town in Lower Saxony, Germany (near Hanover), please let us know. New members are very welcome!
14th March 2024
Election of Officers 7th March 2024
The new chairman is Pete Barry
The vice chairman is Sally Hurst
Secretary: Julie Chapman
Treasurer: Carol Holden
Subscription Fees: The subscription fees was agreed to stay the same at £10 per adult and £5 per child (per year)
Chairman Pete Barry at The Box in Bad Gandersheim 2023
9th November 2023
Tree-mendous
A big shout out to Paul from the ELDC gardening team for lending a much valuable helping hand with the sprucing up of our ‘twinning’ tree.
18th October 2023
The members of the Gandersheim town partnership with Skegness express their deepest condolences on the death of Brian Chapman. Brian has dedicatedly led the Skegness Twinning Association for many years and maintained a friendship with our town. We are grateful that we were able to experience the wonderful “British Week” with him at the State Garden Show in August.
Die Mitglieder der Gandersheimer Städtepartnerschaft mit Skegness sprechen ihr tiefempfundenes Beileid zum Tod von Brian Chapman aus. Brian hat die Skegness Twinning Association viele Jahre engagiert geführt und die Freundschaft mit unserer Stadt gepflegt. Wir sind dankbar, dass wir im August noch die schöne „Britische Woche“ auf der Landesgartenschau mit ihm erleben durften.
RIP Brian Chapman
10th October 2023
A wonderful display in our twin town of Bad Gandersheim promoting Skegness and our 44 year partnership / friendship
11th September 2023
British impacts thanks to John Byford!
Review by Thomas Fischer (journalist in Lower Saxony)
It was warm again this Monday morning at the state garden show in Bad Gandersheim. Brexit or not, the "Pavilion" platform was entirely in British hands today. The national flag on the outside wall of the building unmistakably identified the pavilion as an English island in the realm of the State Horticultural Show.
This included a well-known personality from Bad Gandersheim's English twin town of Skegness - the artist and photographer John Byford.
John happily presents his latest work of art to me. A thick book with a series of his most beautiful, original and cheeky photographs all made on different trips. The title of this photo book is funny: "Wanderlusting", Byford's new neologism. A linguistic symbolism.
Byford's photographs tell many stories. And they're not just aesthetically beautiful. His point of view comes across as authentic. That means bitterly serious, cool and funny. "I don't look at it...", Elke Pilz commented on my question as to whether she could interpret all the photographs with her Christian self-image. Nina answered the same question simply and confidently: "I'll have to explain some of the pictures to my child...".
That's exactly how it is. Byford's picture book stimulates discourse on art and more!
8th September 2023
Opposites attract!
In 2024, the historic ‘Jolly’ bench that currently forms part of an exhibition within the State Garden Show, will move opposite the Skegness telephone box in the city centre. The ‘two voices’ project, started back in 2015 by John Byford, will finally be accomplished.
The Box will also undergo its 5th colour change to compliment and complete the project.
3rd September 2023
Members of Skegness Twinning Association along with the Skegness Silver Band visit the ‘beach garden’ created by John Byford for the Landesgartenschau - Bad Gandersheim 2023
26th August 2023
This morning, the Reverend Richard Holden blessed the newly planted memorial tree in our twin town of Bad Gandersheim, before conducting a service to remember those from the twinning association in Skegness that have passed away.
The Mayor Pete Barry, along with Brian Chapman (Association Chairman), also addressed the many people that turned out this morning for was a very moving occasion, uniting and strengthening our partnership.
Many thanks also to Ingrid Lohmann for translating the service and to Pete Barry for surprising us with with his excellent German vocabulary 
And lastly to thank the Skegness Silver Band for their tribute to the occasion.
The Mayor Pete Barry, along with Brian Chapman (Association Chairman), also addressed the many people that turned out this morning for was a very moving occasion, uniting and strengthening our partnership.
Many thanks also to Ingrid Lohmann for translating the service and to Pete Barry for surprising us with with his excellent German vocabulary 
And lastly to thank the Skegness Silver Band for their tribute to the occasion.
17th April 2023
Success sealed with ‘a kiss’ on Skegness ‘beach’ at state garden show in German twin town
A ‘beach’ at a state garden show in Germany is uniting nations and promoting the very best of Skegness – the coast’s natural beauty.
This summer one million visitors are expected to explore the garden – one of many unveiled on Friday at the edge of Roswithapark in Skegness’ twin town of Bad Gandersheim.
Mayor of Skegness Councillor Tony Tye joined its designer, Skegness honoured citizen and artist/photographer John Byford, in Germany last week to officially cut the ribbon with the City Mayor of Bad Gandersheim Franziska Schwarz.
The 185-day event has been likened to the Chelsea Flower Show – and Skegness’ involvement has been an ‘honour’ by Mr Byford and Coun Tye, who is also a member of the Skegness Twinning Association.
John, whose original art creation The Box – an English telephone box currently promoting the garden show – is already an attraction in the centre of Bad Gandersheim says he has been overwhelmed by the care taken by a 17-strong team from Skegness and Bad Gandersheim to promote our natural coast.
"You won’t find ‘kiss me quick’ hats here,” explained John. “There is so much more to Skegness than donkeys, arcades, fun fairs and ice-cream.
"I wanted to show off the stunning coastline because to me it is beautiful – and the resort’s calmer side.
”The ultimate aim of the project is that the garden offers visitors to the show a glimpse of what Skegness has to offer, strengthening our friendship that has now been in existence since 1979 whilst enticing new visitors to the resort, "
Tonnes of sand were brought in to lay the foundation of the garden with a renovated 100-year-old ‘Jolly’ bench from Skegness Pier the centrepiece.
The garden is surrounded with beach hedging which is just coming into leaf and also features a display of John’s artwork showing the coastline in all its glory.
"It’s already proving a popular attraction,” said John. “I spotted a couple kissing on the bench just after we opened and I thought this is exactly what I was aiming for – somewhere where you can unwind and, in the summer, kick off your shoes and feel the sand between your toes.”
The Mayor of Skegness received a personal invite from Franziska Schwarz to attend the grand opening.
Coun Tye said: “As Mayor of Skegness, it was such an honour to be invited to our twin town of Bad Gandersheim.
"I’ve been meaning to visit for some time now, and to visit during the state garden show makes my trip even more special.
"I’m very impressed! I’d like to thank the garden show team for making this wonderful project happen, and to our honoured citizen John Byford for his constant hard work in promoting both our towns. I shall definitely be returning.”
The British Week, which takes place from August 25 - 31. Amongst the visitors from our town already planning to go are Skegness Silver Band, who have accepted an invitation to perform in the garden and will play daily for the visitors.
After the garden show, the historic bench it will find a permanent location opposite The Box in Bad Gandersheim.
