40th anniversary of Pershore's twinning with German town

Around 30 members will arrive from the Bavarian town of Bad Neustadt, which was twinned with Pershore 40-years-ago.

Ann Dobbins, clerk for Pershore Town Council, said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming old, and making new, friends later this month.

“Forty years of friendship is a real achievement and some have been involved since the beginning.

“The wording of the charter includes the reasons for twinning being 'to foster active exchanges over the widest possible field' and it’s great to know that this is still happening 40 years after the charter was signed.”

The agreement almost did not take place and the Worcester Evening News reported in August 1977 on the fact Pershore Town Council decided the time was not ripe to splash out on the twin-town link.

Even after the agreement was signed in March 1979, enthusiasm started to waiver over the administration of the Pershore Town Twinning Association.

And in 1980, a call was made for town councillors to give more support for events arranged by the association.

But the agreement has stood the test of time and various delegations have visited each town over the years, including exchanges of schoolchildren to foster greater cultural understanding.

One trip made by Pershore High School pupils saw them visiting a monastic brewery, attending classes and taking part in a snowball fight.

Bad Neustadt even donated 10 vacuum cleaners in January 1991 to be used in old people’s and children’s homes in Pershore.

On the 25th anniversary, a party from Pershore visited the Bavarian town.