This past weekend was everything a friendship link visit should be, full of laughter, learning, delicious food, memorable experiences and, most importantly, friendship.
We were delighted to welcome our friends from Soroptimist International Stuttgart Zwei for a weekend of sightseeing, socialising and sharing the work we do in our communities. Having experienced the incredible hospitality of our German friends during our visit to Stuttgart in 2024, it was a real pleasure to return the favour and show them some of the very best our region has to offer.
Our weekend began with a visit to St Helens Town Hall, where we were warmly welcomed by Mayor Stephen Little and his assistant, Sue. Following a lovely lunch of sandwiches and cake in the Mayor’s Parlour, we enjoyed a fascinating tour of the historic building and learned more about the civic history of St Helens.
It was particularly fitting to begin our visit here given the long-standing twinning relationship between St Helens and Stuttgart, a connection that reflects the spirit of international friendship that Soroptimism embodies. During our tour, we were able to admire the magnificent horse sculptures displayed in the Town Hall. These immediately resonated with our visitors, as horses are also an important feature within Stuttgart’s heritage and identity. Little did we know that this theme would continue throughout the weekend.
From there, we headed to The Pied Bull in Newton-le-Willows for a traditional pub meal. The food was excellent, the hospitality exceptional and it provided the perfect opportunity for everyone to relax, chat and strengthen friendships. Some of the best moments of any friendship visit happen around a dining table, and this evening certainly delivered plenty of laughter and conversation.
Saturday saw us take the train into Liverpool to explore the city using the hop-on, hop-off bus tour. Our visitors were able to take in many of Liverpool’s famous landmarks, with both cathedrals proving particularly impressive. One moment that will stay with many of us for years to come was enjoying a traditional bowl of scouse in Liverpool Anglican Cathedral while Wynne Evans – better known to many as the Go Compare opera singer – performed nearby. It was one of those wonderfully unexpected experiences that perfectly captured the spirit of the weekend and left everyone smiling.
The evening brought us back together for a relaxed meal at the Ibis Hotel Haydock, where members of both clubs shared presentations about the projects and initiatives taking place in our communities. These exchanges are always one of the most rewarding aspects of friendship link visits, allowing us to learn from one another, celebrate successes and explore how Soroptimists across different countries are making a difference to the lives of women and girls.
On Sunday, we visited the World of Glass, where we were delighted to be joined by Lady Kirsty Pilkington, who generously shared her knowledge and insights with the group. Once again, the symbolism of the horse emerged, and provided another connection between St Helens and Stuttgart, reminding us that while our communities may be separated by hundreds of miles, there are often threads of shared heritage that bring us closer together.
The visit was followed by a beautiful afternoon tea at the home of one of our members, providing the perfect opportunity to reflect on a wonderful weekend before it was time to say our goodbyes and take our friends to the airport.
Looking back, what stands out most is not just the places we visited, but the friendships that continue to grow between our two clubs. The twinning of St Helens and Stuttgart has created links between our communities for many years, and our friendship link allows us to strengthen those connections on a personal level. Despite living in different countries and speaking different languages, we are united by shared values, a commitment to service and a desire to make a positive difference in the world.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Mayor Stephen Little, Sue, Lady Kirsty Pilkington, the wonderful teams at The Pied Bull and Ibis Haydock, and to all of our members who worked so hard behind the scenes to organise such a successful visit. Your generosity, commitment and hospitality helped create a weekend that our guests, and we, will remember for a long time.
Most of all, thank you to our Soroptimist sisters from Stuttgart Zwei. Following the amazing hospitality we received during our visit to Stuttgart in 2024, it was a privilege to welcome you here and return some of that kindness. Over the weekend we shared not only wonderful food and memorable experiences, but also the friendship, understanding and sense of purpose that sit at the heart of Soroptimism. You have deepened the connection between our clubs, strengthened the bonds between our communities and been wonderful company throughout.
It was truly a weekend of food, fun and friendship, a celebration of international understanding, shared heritage and lasting friendships. We look forward to many more years of collaboration, laughter and memorable visits together.
Friendship really does know no borders.
