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Service anniversaries and farewells at the City of Beckum

Thanks for decades of dedication

Six employees of Beckum Town Council were honoured for 25 or 40 years of dedicated service. During a joint ceremony, seven staff members were also bid farewell as they entered their well-deserved retirement.

13 July 2026 by Sandra Berges
Group picture
  • At the end of the ceremony, the guests of honour pose for a group photograph. Offering their congratulations are Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich (front row, 4th from the right), Staff Council Chair Christopher Stapel (front right) and Head of the Internal Administration Department Arnulf-Alexander Sonnenburg (back row, 2nd from the left).

In the presence of colleagues, line managers and HR representatives, Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich presented certificates and gifts to the guests of honour and expressed his thanks and appreciation for their services to the town of Beckum. “You have ensured that the town runs smoothly, that we fulfil our legal obligations and have thus contributed to social cohesion,” said the Head of Administration in his speech of thanks. “The fact that you have served the town of Beckum for so many years is a special expression of loyalty and commitment,” Michael Gerdhenrich continued.

Christopher Stapel, Chair of the Staff Council, joined in expressing thanks and congratulations to the deserving colleagues. The event then moved on to a more relaxed atmosphere over breakfast, during which many joint activities were discussed. The wide variety of roles within the public sector is evident from the very diverse fields of work of those honoured: child, youth and family support; building regulations; environment and green spaces; municipal services; school administration; child and youth welfare; nursery; and the citizens’ advice bureau.

A farewell ceremony was held for Bernd Matuszek

Bernd Matuszek, the long-serving head of the specialist service, received no fewer than two certificates. For many years, he played a leading role in the support of children, young people and families, overseeing childcare, playgrounds, early intervention services and youth leisure facilities. He celebrated his 40th anniversary of service and was also given a farewell reception.

Those celebrating anniversaries
Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich (centre), Head of the Internal Administration Department Arnulf-Alexander Sonnenburg (left) and Staff Council Chair Christopher Stapel (right) express their gratitude for their many years of service: (front, from left) Thomas Binder, Sabine Neuhaus; (back, from left) Bernd Matuszek (who was also honoured on his retirement), Maria Steinhoff, Melanie Degen and Ulrich Schockmann.
Adopted
Along with their best wishes for the future, Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich (centre), Staff Council Chair Christopher Stapel (right) and Head of the Internal Administration Department Arnulf-Alexander Sonnenburg (4th from left) thanked those leaving the service for their dedicated service to the City of Beckum: (from left) Elke Scheel, Reinhard Strototte, Martina Fischer, Ursula Bergel, Bernd Matuszek, Annette Gerigk and Doris Thamm.