The Isle of Wight Council are currently hosting two third-year Business Administration apprentices from the town of Coburg in Germany, as part of the continuing 40th anniversary celebrations of friendship between the two locations.
Lisa Bachmann and Stefan Bauroth were welcomed by the deputy leader of the Council, Councillor Ian Stephens at County Hall last Wednesday where they toured the building before visiting Newport Roman Village and the Museum of Island History at the Guildhall. They also paid a visit to Newport Minster where the foundation stone was laid by Prince Albert when the church was rebuilt.
The Island’s close connection
The Isle of Wight has a close connection to the town of Coburg through Prince Albert, who was born in Coburg in 1819.
He was a regular visitor to the Island and thereafter resident at Osborne House alongside his wife Queen Victoria and their children.
The apprenticeships exchange scheme helps the different cultures to swap ideas and develop a greater understanding of how the other council operates. Through work shadowing at the Isle of Wight Council, the Coburg apprentices hope to gain valuable insight into the everyday functions of the local authority.
Love: Making links between Coburg and Island people stronger and richer in meaning
Councillor Karl Love, Chairman of the Isle of Wight Council said,
“It was a delight to welcome to East Cowes two apprentices from Coburg and show them around on ‘Henry Tuk Tuk’, seeing the many hidden gems and illuminating the lesser-known stories of our town.
“There are so many exciting little stories to tell about our town away from the historic Osborne House, making the links between Coburg and Island people stronger and richer in meaning.
“Prince Albert was an innovator and brought a legacy to our town of innovation, developing technology here today and providing much needed employment in the building of lifeboats, cutting-edge marine industry, shipbuilding and many other things.
“A partnership between Coburg and the Isle of Wight benefits both in the tourist industry, and as we can see from this visit, enriches the skills and knowledge of the young people who will carry forward our friendship and history in a lasting and meaningful way.
“I look forward to visiting Coburg one day with my husband David to seek out those smaller stories of friendships to be told between our two peoples.”
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
