FRIENDSHIP, co-operation, and the joy of music were celebrated during a four-nation weekend in Hexham’s twin town, Metzingen.

More than 300 participants from Germany, France, Hungary and England gathered in the south German town to enjoy family hospitality, social events, outings and a feast of music from performers ranging from a capella singers and a youth jazz band to a brass quartet and a Northumbrian ceilidh band.

The weekend, at the end of June, was a celebration of the three-way partnership between Noyon, Hexham and Metzingen, plus Metzingen’s Hungarian twin town of Nagykálló.

The relationships date back 20 to 30 years, forged in a post-war Europe that sought ways of bringing ordinary citizens together in peace and understanding.

Throughout the Saturday, 16 members of The Hexham Village Band brought the centre of Metzingen alive with a series of impromptu performances that had people dancing in the streets, squares and cafes.

Later that evening, at a feast of music and friendship which took place at a dinner provided by the local hosts in Metzingen’s Stadthalle, Metzingen’s mayor, Herr Dr Ulrich Fiedler, explained that the rationale for the weekend was to try and strengthen twinning relationships in what are politically difficult times.

“Europe will not prosper on the basis of agreements and treaties, it will either grow out of the hearts of its citizens or not at all,” he said.

Former mayor of Hexham, Coun. Trevor Cessford, reminded the audience that Britain’s decision to remove itself from political connections with Europe made the strength and closeness of town twinning all the more important.

“We need a place where we can exchange views, learn about each others’ choices and respect each others’ decisions,” he said.

The evening was rounded off by a ceilidh, led by multi-lingual caller David Oliver from Hexham, in which a packed and joyous crowd filled the dance floor.

On the Sunday, musicians from all four nations contributed to a moving ecumenical church service.

Highlights included a performance of Bartók’s Bolyongás by the Hungarian women’s choir, and the well-known hymn Praise To The Lord in four languages simultaneously.

Once again it fell to the Hexham Village Band to bring proceedings to a close, with two tunes resonating around the acoustics of Martinkirche – or St Martin’s Church.

After an afternoon trip into the Schwabian Alps, Hexham’s musicians joined their European counterparts in an open-air concert.

Guitarist Lorna Kemp said: “We were made so wonderfully welcome and feel we have made friends for life. There wasn’t a political nor cultural barrier in sight.”

Hexham Town Twinning Association’s chairman, Mon Richford, said: “It was an inspiring weekend that demonstrated the strength of our bonds with our European friends and the power of music to transcend borders.”

To find out more about town twinning, visit www.hexhamtowntwinning .co.uk