Former Lord Mayor wins top Oxford twin city award

He received the German-British Friendship Award from the German Ambassador, Susanne Baumann, at a ceremony at the German Embassy in London.

She highlighted his dedication to fostering Anglo-German friendship through his 50-year commitment to the twinning link, which he chaired from 2000-2023.

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He tells me: “I feel greatly honoured to have received this award. I have enjoyed making so many friends in Germany over many years, especially in Bonn. I have also had much pleasure in introducing groups of Oxford people to town-twinning, especially youngsters.”

Mr Pope added: ““This award was the last thing I had expected since I have had to step back from much of my German involvement because of my wife Diana’s illness. Having recently moved to Wheatley, I am spending what free time I have forming roots in my new lovely community.”

The honour is awarded by the German Embassy to those who show exceptional dedication to cultivating German-British relations and to strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two nations. The Oxford-Bonn link celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2027.