Councillor Harry Bramer spoke out against the Ross twinning organisations at Monday's meeting of Ross Town Council, calling for them to be stopped.

He said: "I think we should look at the twinning organisations, I think the public want them to go."

The Mayor, Councillor John Edwards, did not agree, he said;?"I think the town benefits from the twinning and there is no question of any Council subsidy for these organisations."

Councillor David Ravenscroft said:?"The twinnings are private organisations. The only involvement the Town Council has is in hosting a reception."

Councillor Chris Bartrum said; "I am sure The Ross Gazette will report everything that Councillor Bramer has said and the townspeople will write letters to the newspaper expressing their feelings."

After the Council meeting Councillor Bramer spoke to the Gazette: "I think many people in the town perceive the twinning organisations as some sort of all expenses paid trip for the Councillors," he said.

Both the twinning organisations of Betzdorf, in Germany, and Condé-sur-Noireau, in France, make the Ross parties very welcome, providing civic receptions and sight-seeing outings. Those members of the organisations who go on the twinning trips stay with friends they have made over the years, and, in their turn, they accommodate the visitors in their homes when they come to Ross. It is customary for the Mayor to host a reception in Ross, and if he, or councillors, join in the trip abroad it is at their own expense.

Sharon Clayton, the Chairman of the Condé-sur-Noireau Twinning Association, told The Ross Gazette: "I am bewildered by the comments against twinning made by Councillor Harry Bramer. It is important to point out firstly that The Ross Condé Twinning Association is entirely funded by the members and we receive no council money.

Ross Town Council hosts a civic reception for the Mayor of Condé and the other visitors from Condé when they come to Ross (every second year) and this is greatly appreciated by all involved.

"The Ross Condé Twinning Association strives to fulfil the stated aims of our Charter: ... 'to improve communication between our people, to encourage the study of the French and English languages and cultures... and to provide a sound basis for personal friendships as a practical contribution to international understanding'. Having been through so many devastating conflicts in the past, not to mention current global instability, it seems very unwise to miss any opportunity to share our humanity."

Sam Phillips, Chairman of the Betzdorf Twinning, said:?"I echo what?Sharon Clayton has said. The Betzdorf Twinning is entirely self funding and a great many long-term friendships have been forged over the years. This is not a trifling activity and it is no draw on the Council's funds. I wish there was greater council involvement. We would be glad to welcome Councillor Bramer to one of our twinning meetings so that he could see for himself what goes on."

This year it is the turn of Condé to visit and the Mayor is arranging a Petanque match to entertain them. Last year the Town Council also voted to twin Ross with Namatumba in Uganda.