Situated on the edge of the Teutoberg Forest, Bielefeld is the administrative centre for the area of Westphalia. The small settlement of Bielefeld was established in the eleventh century.

The impressive Sparrenburg Castle,one of the town's best-known land marks was built in the twelfth century.

Bielefeld's economic rise was due entirely on the linen industry, which was given a boost in the Middle Ages, due to the efforts of Friedrich Wilhelm, the great Elector of Brandenburg and the introduction of the Leinenlegge (the Quality control of linen).

The prosperity of the city in the middle-ages can be seen in the splendidly preserved houses on the Alto Market district. With the rise of the Industrial Revolution, Bielefeld flourished and in a conscious effort was made to incorporate the old buildings of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries with today's modern architecture. The industry today tends to be diverse: light engineering, food processing, agriculture, commerce, transport and public services.

Belfeild has a long and well established cultural heritage, with many fine museums, including

It's art galleries are well appointed and it boast three theaters, a beautiful Opera House, The Stadtteaters and the magnificent Oetke Halle (concert hall). It also possesses many libraries, schools, hospitals, sports and recreational facilities. Dotted throughout the city are many green areas and the delightful Heimattier Park With its traffic-free modern shopping centre and its careful blend of ancient and modern, ranging from the Sparrenburg to the new university, Bielefeid, with its lively atmosphere and warm hospitality. certainly lives up to its reputation as being the "Friendly town on the Teutoburg Forest"

A fine transport system of trains, trams and buses, link the outlying districts with the city centre

President: The Lord Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Brian Leather. Secretary: Mrs Margarate Lynch. The Friends of Bielefeld is a non-political, non-sectarian group of people, interested in fostering firm social links with our German friends in Bielefeld. The Association is open to adults within the Rochdale area.

The Friends of Bielefeld and The Friends of Rochdale outside Bielefeld Town Hall. To learn more about the Association simply contact the Secretary Mrs. Margaret Lynch. Tel: 01706 644755, or e-mail: jacklynch@talk21.com