A GROUP of German visitors from Romsey’s twin town of Battenberg have spent a weekend in Hampshire.

The 16 visitors came to the UK as part of an exchange with Romsey Twinning Association.

As well as a group visit with hosts to Whitchurch for a guided tour of the Silk Mill, the Battenbergers enjoyed individual visits with their hosts to various local sights.

Hampshire Chronicle: The Battenbergers with their Romsey hosts outside Whitchurch Silk MillThe Battenbergers with their Romsey hosts outside Whitchurch Silk Mill (Image: Steve Hunter)With typically changeable weather for the time of year, the guests braved the rain for a group photograph at the recently named Battenberg Close. The weekend concluded with a traditional roast dinner at the Empress of Blandings pub in Copythorne.

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The visitors travelled in their own coach all the way from eastern Hesse. Commenting on this the group leader Fred Inacker said: “I have been to the UK many times but have usually flown, so it was a new and enjoyable experience to watch the White Cliffs of Dover come into view as we crossed from Calais.”

Chairman of Romsey Twinning, Roland Matthews, said: “It was a particular pleasure to welcome our German friends back to Romsey as we had not met for four years owing to the Covid pandemic. We are hopeful that regular annual meetings can now resume between the two towns”.

Anyone who is interested in being part of this exchange (or of those with Romsey’s other twin towns of Paimpol in France and Treviglio in Italy) is invited to contact the association by emailing romseytwinning@gmail.com.