CELEBRATIONS were held last week when a group from Norden in Germany paid a visit to Bradford on Avon to mark 50 years of the two towns being twinned.

The Germans were welcomed by the town’s twinning association along with Bradford on Avon town council last Thursday afternoon where there was a welcome reception at St Margaret’s Hall.

The guests stayed with host families and individuals in the town.

The group went on many visits to different places in and around the area, including visits to the GWR Steam museum in Swindon, the Concorde museum in Filton, Chavenage House near Tetbury. Tours of the Willow and Wetlands Centre at Stoke St. Gregory, near Taunton, and the the Somerset Cider Brandy Company were also arranged.

Roger Andrews, chair of the twinning association said: “The visit of members from Norden, Bradford on Avon’s twin town, was a great success.

“We visited all the places and everyone agreed that it was a wonderful six days of celebration of 50 years of twinning between our two towns.

"We are celebrating 50 years of twinning between Bradford on Avon and Norden and the programme has been planned around other 50 year events. Hence our visit to the Swindon Steam Museum as it is 50 years since the last train was pulled by a steam engine on the British Rail network. Concorde first flew in 1969, so another 50 year connection.

“The worst part was having to say goodbye on the last day, when many tears were shed, but with promises being made between old and new friends that they would see everyone again in 2020."