Town Twinning 

Witten is located in the North Rhine-Westphalia Land (state), in north-western Germany, on the Ruhr River, bordering Dortmund (north) and Bochum (north-west).

Chartered in 1285, it was severely damaged in World War II but has been rebuilt along modern lines with numerous commercial enterprises.

The heavily wooded surroundings to the south are a favourite Ruhr recreational area.

The city has a museum of graphic arts and an archive.

Industries include:

• Steel manufacturing
• Extraction of coal-tar products
• Glass works
• Machine building

Population: 104,067

Size: 17,875.98 acres

Distance from Barking and Dagenham: 550 km

Barking, Dagenham and Witten Club

Through our longstanding partnership with Witten, we have also developed links with other towns.

We have formed close links with Tczew in Poland and carried out some valuable project work in the areas of waste management and urban regeneration.

Town Twinning embraces a wide network of clubs, associations, activities and projects.

Groups which carry out regular activities with Witten are listed below. If you would like specific information on these links, please contact the relevant person.

The Music for the Blind and Disabled Trust Band

Has a long association with an equivalent band in Witten, the Posaunenchor Bommern. Regular visits to Witten are organised and the Posaunenchor visits Barking and Dagenham. The 2 bands also give joint concerts.

For further information, please contact: 

Doctor Asit Mitra
28 Melford Avenue
Barking
IG11 9HT
Tel: 020 8594 6249 

The Royal Naval Association and The Royal British Legion

Have both run regular coach trips to Witten where they have met veterans from the Marinekameradschaft and carried out a wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial.

For further information, please contact:

Reg St Pier
30 Thetford Road
Dagenham
RM9 6AP
Tel: 020 8593 5311 

The Barking and Dagenham Witten Club

Runs biennial coach trips to Witten and hosts groups from the Witten section of the club every 2 years in the borough. The club also holds a programme of social and fund-raising activities throughout the year.

For further details, please contact:

Corinne Lowe - Secretary
Tel: 020 8597 3598
Email: rick.corinne@btinternet.com

The White Hart Angling Club

Has had links with the Sportfischerverein in Witten for many years. There are visits by small groups in both directions regularly, with occasional fishing of each other's waters and social events.

For further information, please contact:

Trevor Jones
7 Auriel Avenue
Dagenham
RM10 8BS
Tel: 020 8262 2898 

The London Cycling Campaign

Recently made links with cyclists in Witten and their French twin town of Beauvais. Last year they cycled in the Black Forest and this year they are touring Corsica.

For further details, please contact:

Colin Newman
11 John Burns Drive
Barking
IG11 9RQ
Tel: 020 8591 9225
Fax: 020 8591 9225
Email: colinnewman@ntlworld.com 

Bede Smith
174 Woodward Road
Dagenham
RM9 4SU
Mobile: 07984 618 813