SIR – On September 16, 1938 two small girls with their parents landed at Dover after a very fraught journey from Vienna, Austria.

Little did the girls know that this long train ride, interrupted by uniformed men who searched the very small suitcases we had with us and a rather queasy crossing of the Channel was a journey of no return.

We spent a very difficult time until we learned English but were helped very considerably by the teachers and children of our London school as we spent six months there.

We were a refugee family but now after many years in this country we have happy families and friends in our adoptive country and have become British subjects.

Now you may ask, “Why so much detail?”

This letter is in reply to a recent article once again attacking Twinning.

I joined Worcester Twinning Association at its inception. At first I thought that a person whose mother tongue was Germany would be useful. However, I have always thought it very important to talk to people who hold different views.

It is this reason – listening and getting to know each other – which is the main purpose for the existence of Twinning Associations. It is not for standing about eating canapés and drinking wine.

Holding one’s hand out to a former enemy and forming friendships which, in my case, have lasted for 25 years is the real reason for our association’s existence.

I should like to point out that any visit undertaken is made at the expense of the members themselves and we do not receive any support from the City Council. All activities we undertake at home are also paid for by the participants.

I don’t think John Phillpott would be very welcome to join us on one of our trips but if he had taken the trouble to check his facts, he would perhaps no longer write such vitriolic letters about a matter of which he appears to know so little.

MRS L E RYAN

Worcester