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Two Voices - A Decade of Dialogue.
September 19–21, 2025 | Bad Gandersheim, Germany
This September marks the 10th anniversary of Two Voices — an ongoing cultural dialogue between Skegness and its twin town, Bad Gandersheim, brought to life by artist and photographer John Byford.
What began in 2015 as a repurposed British telephone box has grown into a beloved public artwork and lasting symbol of communication, creativity, and friendship across borders. Approved by the Bad Gandersheim city council in 2014 and unveiled the following year, the striking installation has since undergone five colour transformations, hosted exhibitions, and become a much-loved part of the town centre.
A more recent addition to the project is a restored seaside bench, originally from Skegness. It was first introduced to the people of Bad Gandersheim during the 2023 State Garden Show and has since been permanently installed opposite the telephone box. Now repainted to match the box’s sky-blue tone, it offers a space for rest, reflection, and quiet conversation echoing the spirit of connection and cultural exchange at the heart of Two Voices.
Together, the box and the bench form a meaningful duet. Each now features a line of poetry by Alfred, Lord Tennyson - a detail that came about quite by chance. Only after the project had already taken shape did Byford discover that Tennyson, born just up the road from his home, had written a poem titled The Two Voices. The coincidence felt too perfect to ignore.
“Including his words felt not only appropriate, but personal,” says Byford. “And the colour? When people come to Skegness, they look for blue skies. That’s what I chose: the colour of a perfect seaside day.”
Now painted a cheerful sky blue, the installation continues to invite passers-by to pause, read, reflect, and connect. The telephone box, once red and retired, lives on as a community library. The bench offers a companionable stillness. And together, they speak softly but surely about shared heritage, cross-cultural friendship, and the timeless power of art.
To mark this special anniversary, acclaimed German author and cultural journalist Margarete von Schwarzkopf will join the celebration in Bad Gandersheim this September. As part of the programme, she will give a special reading from Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s The Two Voices thus bringing the literary connection full circle and adding another thoughtful layer to the project’s ongoing story.
Over the past ten years, John Byford’s work has helped to strengthen the ties between Skegness and Bad Gandersheim through creative expression and collaboration. His passion for cultural diplomacy and the role of the arts in building community is reflected in every detail of Two Voices - a small but powerful gesture that continues to resonate with locals and visitors alike.
As the project enters its second decade, it remains a poetic reminder of what can happen when creativity, collaboration, and kindness come together with a celebration of friendship that speaks in the universal language of art.
To mark this milestone, a beautifully designed full-colour 48-page booklet will be available, celebrating ten years of the project. Packed with photographs and reflections, it offers a vivid and heartfelt look back at the journey so far - a reminder of the enduring spirit behind Two Voices.
Two Voices by John Byford. A connected culture. [ Photo John Byford ]
10th ~ 15th July 2025
‘Fun and Friendship’ as Skegness Welcomes Guests from Twin Town Bad Gandersheim
Skegness has recently played host to a 12-strong delegation from its German twin town, Bad Gandersheim, as part of the ongoing partnership that has spanned nearly five decades. The visit, organised by the Skegness Twinning Association, was filled with warm reunions, shared memories, and a celebration of lasting friendship.
Among the visitors was Ingrid Lohmann, Deputy Mayor of Bad Gandersheim, who spoke fondly of her long involvement in the twinning:
"When I think of our town twinning, I think of friendship and happy times,” she said. “Since moving to Bad Gandersheim 30 years ago, I’ve been part of this wonderful connection – I love speaking English, and this gave me the perfect opportunity. It’s always been a joy, never a problem. It’s honestly been one of the highlights of my time in local politics.”
"When I think of our town twinning, I think of friendship and happy times,” she said. “Since moving to Bad Gandersheim 30 years ago, I’ve been part of this wonderful connection – I love speaking English, and this gave me the perfect opportunity. It’s always been a joy, never a problem. It’s honestly been one of the highlights of my time in local politics.”
During their stay, the group enjoyed sightseeing at local attractions including the seafront, Lincolnshire Wildlife Park, and a visit to Lincoln. A special wreath-laying ceremony was held at the memory tree on the seafront to honour past members who are no longer with us.
Skegness Mayor Councillor Jimmy Brookes attended his first official reception for the group at the Tower Gardens Pavilion, where historic artefacts from past exchanges were displayed.
"It’s been absolutely fantastic,” he said. “Everyone’s been so welcoming. A couple of the group did get lost at one point – but we found them, so all’s well! It's a real honour to be part of something that’s lasted 46 years. The sense of connection is just brilliant.”
"It’s been absolutely fantastic,” he said. “Everyone’s been so welcoming. A couple of the group did get lost at one point – but we found them, so all’s well! It's a real honour to be part of something that’s lasted 46 years. The sense of connection is just brilliant.”
In September, members of the Skegness Twinning Association will travel to Bad Gandersheim for a return visit. The trip will coincide with the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Two Voices project – a creative initiative by Skegness artist John Byford that links the two towns through art, culture, and conversation.
A special highlight of the celebrations will be the launch of a beautifully produced 48-page booklet that pays tribute to the long-standing friendship between Skegness and Bad Gandersheim.
Visitors from Bad Gandersheim visit St Matthews Church, Skegness. [ Photo John Byford ]
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
[ Photo John Byford ]
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!
[ Photo John Byford ]
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
[ Photo John Byford ]
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.
