The Parish of St Helier, in the Channel Island of Jersey, was twinned with the German spa town, Bad Wurzach, in Baden-Württemberg, in the summer of 2002.

Through adversity of war in 1942, Hitler ordered the deportation to internment camps in Europe of British-born Channel Islanders and their families.

618 Islanders were detained in Bad Wurzach’s 18th century castle until they were liberated in April 1945. In the ensuing years, friendships forged across barbed wire endured.

Sadly, twelve individuals did not return and are interned in a well maintain cemetery in Bad -Wurzach

The reconciliation between former enemies is not just confined to cultural, working and sporting exchanges between the town and the parish. There have been other partnerships involving the Jersey Arts Centre, the Youtheatre, The National Trust for Jersey and Jersey Heritage.

A travel bursary has been established and students from Jersey and Bad Wurzach have worked in each other’s communities.

We maintain contact with former internees and family whom reside in various parts of the world.

We maintain a close relationship with the Red Cross who provided so much support during the period of internment.