Tributes have been paid to a champion of town twinning, Jack Goldberg, who has died aged 91 after a long illness.
Mr Goldberg, a former solicitor and Salford councillor, helped twin Salford and Clermont-Ferrand in France in May 1966. It was the first English link for the city, which is one of the oldest in France.
Councillor Derek Antrobus, chair of the town twinning association, said Mr Goldberg’s contribution to the 50 year friendship between Clermont Ferrand and Salford had been invaluable.
“Jack served as a soldier in World War II and believed strongly in European democracy based on friendship between people. As soon as he was became a councillor in 1956 he looked for a European town to twin with Salford.
“Many towns had already twinned and it took 10 years and several meetings with the then mayor of Clermont-Ferrand, Mr Gabriel Montpied, but, in 1966 the historic agreement was signed. Jack had retired from the council by then but was invited to join the first English delegation to the city in 1967.
“It’s a real tribute to his dedication and vision that friendship links between the people of Salford and Clermont-Ferrand are still going strong today.”
Claudia Vanegas, head of the international relations office in Clermont-Ferrand said the city had learnt of his death “with great sadness” and offered sympathies to Mr Goldberg’s family and friends.
Clermont in central France was founded in Roman times and joined with the nearby city of Ferrand in 1630 on the orders of the king. The two cities are the base of the Michelin tyre manufacturer and launched the world’s first international short film festival in 1979.
Mr Goldberg’s funeral was held at Agecroft cemetery on January 20.
