Earlier this month representaives from Llandrindod Wells travelled to Contrexéville, its twin town in France, to take part in a weekend celebrating the 30th anniversary of the partnership between it and the French spa town.

A large delegation of representatives from Bad Rappenau, a spa town in Germany which is also twinned with Llandrindod Wells, were also present celebrating the 40th anniversary of twinning between Contrexéville and Bad Rappenau.

The Welsh and German visitors took part in the events organised in Contrexéville for the July 14 National Holiday celebrations which included a spectacular 30-minute firework display with music at the lake in the Vosges spa town, viewed by a packed record-breaking crowd.

Luc Gereck, Mayor of Contrexéville, said it was with pride that his town was able welcome friends from Llandrindod Wells and Bad Rappenau after two years of isolation due to Covid restrictions.

Sebastian Frei, Burgermeister of Bad Rappenau, noted that despite lockdown restrictions the pandemic had not harmed the good relations between the three towns.

Laurence Weerdmeester-Price, Mayor of Llandrindod Wells, had also sent a message of goodwill which was read out at the three-way gathering.

Also during the visit, the Welsh and German visitors were taken by their French hosts to Epinal on the picturesque river Moselle where they explored the historic centre of this ancient city. The delegates held meetings to organise and plan future exchanges with a particular emphasis on trying to encourage youth and sporting groups to participate in twinning activities.

Llandrindod Wells and Area Twinning Association wants to make twinning accessible to all sectors of the community.

Any local group wishing to make an exchange visit should contact the Association through its website at www.llandrindodtwinning.wordpress.com or by telephoning the Secretary on 01597 822111.

Llandrindod Wells Twinning Association will be running the Princess Avenue Leisure Park in Llandrindod from August 1-7 where information about twinning opportunities will be available.