ROYSTON Twinning Association and their counterparts from Grossalmerode enjoyed a “memorable” weekend when the Germans dropped by recently.

ROYSTON Twinning Association and their counterparts from Grossalmerode enjoyed a “memorable” weekend when the Germans dropped by recently.

Arriving on October 15, the 28 twinners enjoyed the hospitality of Royston, and day trips to London and Cambridge before heading home four days later.

Sally Jones, who has been hosting Grossalmerode residents for the past 10 years, said: “It was a very successful visit and everyone enjoyed it. Even the ones that have not been before said they would come back to Royston.

“It was great to see so many of them too. There were families, couples, and a pair of teenage girls. We had a couple stay with us that we have been hosting for about ten years, so we know each other well.”

On Saturday October 16, the group travelled to London and enjoyed a boat ride up the Thames, before eating on the floating restaurant the Hispaniola.

The following day, a church service was hosted by Royston Parish Church’s Revd Leslie Harman and his Grossalmerode equivalent. A civic reception then took place in the town hall, which included music from the town band, and speeches by Royston Town mayor Martin Beaver, and Andreas Nickel, Burgermiester of Grossalmerode.

After a Sunday lunch, the group took a trip to Cambridge, which incorporated a spot of afternoon tea at Peterhouse, the oldest college in the city. This was described by chair of Grossalmerode’s twinning asociation Angela Fischer as “the best bit of the weekend, and the icing on the cake.”

The visitors then embarked on their 15-hour coach trip back to Germany early on Tuesday morning.

Cllr Beaver travelled to Germany on the first ever trip back in 1974, and expressed his delight at the continuing relationship between the towns.

“After 36 years I can still remember going to Grossalmerode playing football, so it is always a special occasion for me when the two towns come together.

“As ever, I enjoyed hosting them and catching up, and understand a good time was had by all,” he said.

Next for the Royston Twinning Association is 25th anniversary of the link with French town La Loupe, in June.

Mrs Jones also confirmed that a cemented link with Villanueva de Canada in Spain, was in the pipeline.

“We need to get the councillors from both towns together to sign the agreement,” she said.