Bognor twinning group on tour of German towns

The 24-strong group were also joined by a group pf people from Trebbin, situated in the south of Berlin, which is twinned with both Bognor and Weil.

The first day included a visit to the Council of Europe offices in Strasbourg, as well as a tour of Alsace vineyards before arriving back at Weil. Here, the town council, headed by mayor Wolfgang Dietz, gave a welcoming speech and reception and Bognor's vice president Wilf Archer presented him with a case of wine on behalf of Bognor Regis Town Council.

The main event was a coach trip to Switzerland and a tour of the Frey Chocolate Company, followed by a slide show and a talk about how two local children had been to Romania to help handicapped children.

The twinning visitors were then taken to the outskirts of Weil where they enjoyed a walk across the Rhine and along the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world. The bridge was opened last year to give a further link to the town of Huningue, their neighbouring French twin town.

Rain and snow on the Alps meant that a trip up to Grinwald by mountain train had to be diverted but a visit to the Swiss capital, Bern was organised.

The trip was rounded off with an evening reception by the Weil Twinning Association, where Bognor's twinning chairman Allison Merriman and Karin Dieter, vice chairman of the Trebbin Twinning Association presented gifts to Hans-Jurgen Friedrich, the chairman of Weil's Twinning Association.

Now back home, the association held a coffee morning and sale on Saturday, October 19, while plans are well in hand for next month's Beaujolais breakfast and the Christmas dinner.

* The association is always looking to welcome new members. If you are interested, contact secretary John Lakin on 01243 265592 for more information.

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