The teenage city envoy who stayed in Germany for 50 years

When Derby twinned with the German city of Osnabrück in 1976, many hoped it would build strong international links and life-long friendships.

But for Lynne Köhler, it became the place she called home.

The 68‑year‑old, originally from Littleover, first visited Osnabrück on an exchange trip for her German A‑level in 1975, and returned the following year as the city's first ambassador at just 18.

Köhler said her year in the role focused on "organising and supporting" school and political visits as well as strengthening the friendship between the two cities.

After completing her year in office, Köhler remained in Osnabrück and married her husband Ralf in 1980.

This weekend sees the launch of Derby's 50:50 celebrations, honouring both the 50th year of the Derby–Osnabrück twinning and the approach of Derby's 50th anniversary of becoming a city in 1977.

Osnabrück is a city in Lower Saxony in north-west Germany, with about 164,000 inhabitants. Like Derby it is known for its industry and surrounding countryside.

It is also known as the "City of Peace" because it hosted the negotiations that led to the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 – a treaty that ended the Thirty Years' War in Europe.

In addition to Derby, Osnabrück has a total of 11 twin and partner cities in France, the Netherlands, the US and China.

Town twinning became popular after World War II as a way to build strong links and friendships with communities in other countries that share characteristics like size, geography, or industry.

After matching up, the two cities signed a twinning agreement on 17 February 1976, in the Hall of Peace in Osnabrück.

There are subtle signs of friendship in each city as Osnabrück has a square named Derby Platz and Derby has Osnabrück Square, which recently reopened following the revamp of the Market Hall.

Köhler said her role as Derby's first ambassador to the German city was "meant to be".

Six months into her A‑level German course, Köhler - whose surname was previously Atkin - said her teacher died and no replacement was available until the next school year.

To bridge the gap, the school arranged a four‑week stay for the young student with a guest family in Osnabrück over the summer of 1975.

After Derby signed the twinning agreement a year later, Köhler said she applied to be ambassador as she was the "only one who already knew the city".

She said she felt "extremely nervous" to take on the role at a young age but felt "nothing could go wrong" because her father accompanied her for the year.

Her father was not the only familiar face in the Germany - Köhler had already met her future husband during her stay with the guest family in 1975.

"We met again in 1976 and the rest is history," she said.

"The twinning was welcomed in Osnabrück with a great deal of enthusiasm, curiosity and excitement – I never experienced any sort of pessimism or hostility whatsoever.

"There was a little apprehension from the older generation due to the aftermath of World War Two.

"After visiting me, my grandad was quite surprised to find that the 'the Germans' are very much like 'us', which really amused me."

Köhler said there was "always plenty to do" in her role, which she said "still is, all about international relations".

"I am extremely proud to have been the first ambassador from Derby in Osnabrück and I cherish all those positive memories dearly," she said.

"We are all human beings and have so much in common, so much that unites us."

Since 2015, Derby has not hosted an ambassador from Osnabrück, but Osnabrück continues to host an ambassador from Derby, a role currently filled by Sophie Bailey.

Ahead of the 50:50 celebrations, Derby City Council leader Nadine Peatfield said she would be open to restarting the ambassador role.

A spokesperson for the authority said: "As always, there are financial pressures, but we remain open to exploring opportunities."

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