EIGHTEEN members of the Bradford-on-Avon German Twinning Association have just returned from a week’s visit to Bradford’s twin town of Norden in Northern Germany.

Norden is a town in the district of Aurich, in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated on the North Sea shore, in East Frisia.

The week started with a traditional welcome tea, where Chairman Roger Andrews spoke of the Association’s disappointment at the recent BREXIT vote.

“This would not, however, weaken the ties that the town has with our friends in Norden; if anything it would strengthen the resolve to forge even closer ties with our German host families,” Mr Andrews said.

Norden’s Chairman Hans-Enno Schepker spoke in a similar vein, as well as giving a warm welcome to the party of 18 English visitors and wishing them an interesting and enjoyable week in Germany.

The entertainment featured a day trip 30 miles south of Norden to Leer, Trowbridge’s twin town, including a visit to a workshop of artists in Coldam.

The tour party also visited The Miniature Wonderland of East Frisia, the ‘Onno Behrends’ tea factory, the Der Kunstverein Art Gallery in Norden and the Klimahaus in Bremerhaven.

The week ended with a barbecue at the Canoe Club in Norden, attended by the town’s mayor, where hosts and guests enjoyed English beers donated by the Box Steam Brewery in Holt, as well as a fine selection of German sausages, meats and cheeses.