Twin towns link up for their annual visit

Visitors from Ashford’s French and German twin towns spent the day in the borough for their annual visit.

Last year the borough celebrated 50 years of being linked to German town Bad Munstereifel and 30 years with French town Fougeres.

The Ashford Twinning Association welcomed visitors from the two towns to Ashford last week where they enjoyed entertainment provided by Revelation St Mary’s, met MP Damian Green and spoke with students from Highworth Grammar School.

Cllr Mike Bennett, Ashford Borough Council’s twinning champion said: “It was key for us, having celebrated the significant twinning anniversaries last year, to extend our cultural and business links further with our European partners.

“The seeds have been sown that Ashford is ready to do business and we were also able to show off the best of Ashford talent with Matthew Sharp leading a programme of entertainment from Revelation St Mary’s.”

Herr Alexander Buttner, Burgermeister (would-be Mayor) of Bad Munstereifel, added: “Business and commerce does not know borders but a co-operational relationship is an indispensable requirement.

“Our strong roots in the twinning partnership over the past 50 years is our base of trust, respect and motivation that will create a win-win situation.”

Highworth pupils with children from Fougeres and Bad Munstereifel at St Mary’s Church