Some readers may remember when the District Council took an active role in twinning with the town of Haltern, in Germany. One of the highlights was the visit of two German minesweepers to Baltic Wharf on Wallasea Island.
Today we have heard the distressing news that sixteen teenagers and two teachers from Haltern were amongst those killed in the Germanwings plane crash yesterday. The loss of so many young lives, full of promise, is shocking.
We are sure that many people’s thoughts and prayers will be for them and their families tonight.
As a mother and grandmother who has waved her children off on similar adventures, over many years, smiling and wishing them a good time but secretly just willing them safely back home I just can’t imagine the pain those suffering this loss must be experiencing. May God bless and watch over them.
It is unimaginable what these poor families are going through and our thoughts go out to all of them in this time of extreme sorrow.