Madam, I write with reference to the disparaging remarks on the subject of town twinning made by Councillor Bramer at last week's Town Council meeting.

For Councillor Bramer to say that twinning is nothing more than an opportunity for councillors to indulge in 'all expenses paid jollies' displays a very surprising misunderstanding of the subject.

Ross has three twin towns, Condé-sur-Noireau, in France and Betzdorf, in Germany and Namutumba in Uganda. Ross Town Council signed its Twinning Charter with Betzdorf in 1984, one year after the Associations formed by the citizens of the two towns signed their Charters.

The costs of running the Ross/Betzdorf Association are borne by the individual members of the Association through their membership fees and fund raising. Herefordshire Council used to make a grant to all twinning associations in Herefordshire but that stopped in 2008.

Ross Town Council's involvement consists of hosting a Civic Reception every other year, when the people, and representatives of Betzdorf Town Council, visit Ross. Everyone who visits Ross stays with a local family. On alternate years a representative of Ross T C, usually our Mayor, travels to Betzdorf with the Ross Association, at his or her own expense, and represents the Ross T C at the various events put on during the visit. Over the years various Mayors have said how proud they were to represent Ross on an international stage, how impressed they were with the hospitality extended to them and how much they enjoyed their visits. From conversations with our friends in the Ross/Condé Association I know that my comments apply to their activities too.

As you see, the twinning activities hardly constitute 'all expenses paid jollies" for Councillors. It is very sad to hear one of our representatives make such unwarranted and ill-informed attacks on organisations run entirely by volunteers. We live in a world where an understanding of different peoples is critical to an improvement in international relations. Twinning organisations do much to ensure people have an opportunity to get to know each other and do not rely on politicians and the mass media for their information. Believe me, it is OK in Germany, to mention the war.

One of the biggest frustrations we have as an organisation is getting our Councillors, with several significant exceptions, to take an interest in Twinning. It would be interesting to know what research Cllr Bramer carried out when he came to the conclusion that prompted his statement "I think the public want them to go". But, perhaps, all is not lost. From May 20th to May 25th the Ross Association will visit Betzdorf. May I invite Councillor Bramer to join the trip, at his own expense of course, so that he can experience what an enjoyable and illuminating experience twinning is.

Sam Phillips, Secretary, Ross/Betzdorf Twinning Ass.