VISITORS traded rural Germany for rural Dorset during a visit to their twin town.

A total of 26 citizens of Lindlar, Shaftesbury’s twin town in the west of Germany, were hosted by members of the Shaftesbury Town Twinning Association over the May Day Bank Holiday.

Some were visiting for the first time, while others have visited Shaftesbury many times, staying with host families in and around the town.

During their visit, the guests enjoyed a busy programme of activities, including tasting fish and chips, folk music a visit to Wells and tasting goodies at Shaftesbury Food Festival.

A welcome evening saw Mayor of Shaftesbury, Virginia Edwyn-Jones, made a speech in German while Mayor of Lindlar, Sven Engelmann, responded in English.

The mayors stressed the enduring value of the twinning and Sven expressed his wish that both towns encourage new partnerships between organisations from sectors like sport, music, youth work, the fire service and volunteering.

The group also enjoyed Phoenix Folk led by The Phoenix String Band.

On the Saturday of the visit, guests and hosts spent the day in Wells, visiting the cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace.

The Wells Town Twinning Committee was there to meet the group and had arranged for their Town Crier to welcome everyone on a day that included the ceremonial opening of the Charter Fair and a display by Civil War reenactors.

Sunday was Shaftesbury Food Festival, so the visitors were able to take in the stalls, sample the food and watch the Cheese Race on Gold Hill.

Michael Knape and Carina Blum from Lindlar bravely took part in the race, loudly supported by hosts and guests, and were delighted with their certificates for completing the event.

A farewell dinner with speeches and toasts took place at the San Tonino restaurant on Sunday evening.

“There was plenty of happy chatter as everyone exchanged fond memories of the weekend and discussed Shaftesbury’s visit to Lindlar in 2027,” a spokesperson said.

If you are interested in joining the Shaftesbury Town Twinning Association, email secretary@shaftesburytowntwinning.org.uk.

The committee is particularly interested in talking to any parents or guardians who would like to bring their child/children to Lindlar to benefit from a long weekend in Germany. Speaking German is not a requirement, and the committee would also like to hear from any Shaftesbury organisations interested in making contact with their equivalent in Lindlar.