THIRTY?one years ago Monmouth Town twinned with the German community of Waldbronn, a group of picturesque villages situated in the Baden area at the northern tip of the Black Forest.

The Waldbronn and Monmouth Clubs continue to visit each other on alternate years. This year it was Monmouth’s turn, so on Friday 9th June, 20 club members from Monmouth and the Forest of Dean travelled to Waldbronn, flying to Frankfurt from Birmingham. On landing the Monmouth party was transported by three sparklingly new bright red minibuses, courtesy of the Waldbronn fire brigade. In Waldbronn all of the Monmouth guests were received by their hosts, many of whom have been firm friends for years, 30 years in some cases. A knowledge of German is not a necessity as the German friends in Waldbronn speak excellent English.

Saturday morning was spent relaxing and in the afternoon the first excursion was to a picturesque former mill, now a restaurant, in the town of Stettfeld serving traditional Flammkuchen (similar to pizza) and of course beer and wine. The Baden area is the third largest wine producing region in Germany and, having the warmest climate, it produces most of Germany’s excellent red wine as well as the famous whites.

Sunday had a leisurely start with an excursion to a garden show in the picturesque village of Bad Herrenalb.

On Monday was a coach trip to Pforzheim to view the spectacular 360 degree Panorama of Ancient Rome displayed inside a disused gasometer. The artwork is huge, being approximately 110 metres around by 35 metres high with a 17-metre viewing platform in the centre. It is the work of Berlin based artist Yadegar Asisi.

After lunch, in a nearby beer garden, the party travelled to the hilltop spa resort of Bad Wildbad. Ascending to the top by funicular railway everyone experienced the treetop walkway ending in the 40-metre-high viewing platform with magnificent views over the Black Forest. The quick return option was a 55 metre tunnel ride (Flume) to the bottom; not all chose that route! The evening was spent at a hilltop restaurant with a magnificent view of The Bad Wildbad hinterland 300 metres below the patio.

Tuesday was spent with the host families, either relaxing at home or visiting the delightful local area. Others visited the wonderfully idiosyncratic transport museum in the nearby pretty village of Marxzell.

The visit was concluded on Tuesday evening with an excellent community barbecue where Richard Bond, chairman of the Monmouth Club presented a commemorative plaque to the Waldbronn chairman,Manfred Czychi.

The Monmouth and the Waldbronn Twinning Clubs were joined for the evening by the very enthusiastic Waldbronn Whiskey Appreciation Club. The Waldbronn Twinning Club is fortunate in having the owner of the local micro-brewery, Lindenbräu, as one of its members who kindly donated all the beer and wine for the evening. The Monmouth group returned on Wednesday 14th June after emotional farewells with many Waldbronn friends.

The hospitality of the Waldbronn Club, and its love for Monmouth town, is almost overwhelming. For any more information about the Waldbronn/Monmouth Twinning Club, telephone Evemarie and Richard Bond on 01600 714357. You will also be most welcome at the Club’s ‘Coffee and Cake’ morning on Saturday 19th August, from 10am until 12pm at The Priory, Monmouth.

Alternatively visit the website monmouthwaldbronntwinningassociation.btck.co.uk/