MADAM, I would like to thank the people of Ross, and Hereford, for their warmhearted hospitality and kindness during the recent 2011 twinning ex­change with the German partners of Betzdorf.

Although from England, I moved to Betzdorf fifteen years ago. This was my first time in Ross and I am new to the twinning association. I was genuinely moved by the many deep friendships existing between the English and Germans.

Special thanks to Mike Pullin and the St Michael's Hospice Angels for their generosity and wonderful company. Mike very kindly offered us, (four first timers to Ross) a place to stay. We were fortunate to be introduced to the Hospice Angels via twinning veteran Sam Phillips when they embarked on a motor-biking fund­raising trip through Germany in 2010. They arrived as strangers and left as friends.

I was saddened to learn that the Ross twinning is not as robustly supported as it is here in Germany and has received criticism in the past that it is perceived by many locals as bit of a gravy train for a 'chosen few'. This is certainly not the case. It is the drive and determination of a group of ordinary people that forge the unique Ross and Betzdorf relationship. It is positively refreshing and a credit to these people that such friendships have survived almost 40 years and are now venturing beyond Ross. The people of the twinning associations should be commended for their spirit and perseverance in helping to banish some of the still existing, ignorance-borne stereotypes associated with both countries.

We certainly look forward to welcoming the people of Ross (and Herefordshire) again next year, when Betzdorf plays host.

Christine Connolly – new member of the Ross- Betzdorf twinning association