A TWINNING association has celebrated 30 years of collaboration between towns.

Waldbrol in Germany has been twinned with Witham since 1986 and residents took an opportunity to welcome their German friends to the town.

Witham Twinning Association welcomed 28 guests for guided tours in London, Cambridge and Clacton before enjoying a social evening at Feering Community Hall.

The Association marked the anniversary by presenting Johannes Heister and Magrit Richter, the chairman and former chairman of the twinning association in Waldbröl, with glass vases in recognition of their commitment.

Janette Welton-Pai, co-chair of Witham Twinning Association, said: “It is fantastic to see the strength of the friendship between the residents of the two towns. Our friends always ensure our visits to Waldbrol are very memorable and it was a real pleasure to welcome them to Witham recently for the return visit.”

Before the visit, 21 members of Witham’s Twinning Association spent five days visiting their German counterparts in the town of Waldbrol.

On arrival in Waldbrol, the group were welcomed by the mayor and their hosts with a glass of local beer and, after spending the first evening with their host families, the group were invited to visit Panarbora on the Monday morning, a new visitor attraction close to Waldbrol.

That evening the Witham group were invited to join hosts at the social evening which has become a tradition for the associations.

On the final day, the group went to Wuppertal, famous for its unique suspended monorail system.

Visit withamtwinning.co.uk.