HEXHAM’S mayor and fellow members of the town twinning association joined their German hosts and Hungarian counterparts to lead a celebratory procession through Metzingen.

They had been invited by Metzingen’s burgermeister (council cabinet chairman), Dr Ulrich Fiedler, to help mark his promotion to Oberburgermeister and to take part in the town’s Heimatfest, a celebration of homeland that takes place every three years.

Hexham Mayor Coun. Trevor Cessford and the mayor of Metzingen’s other twin town, Nagykallo in Hungary, joined Dr Fiedler at the head of the procession, while 11 of the Hexham ‘twinners’ followed behind.

One carried the Hexham Town Twinning Association banner designed by Andrew Gessey, while Queen Elizabeth High School student Caitlin Bell carried the Northumberland flag.

Hexham branch secretary Ruth Bramfitt said: “Around 3000 people, including 2200 children from nursery school age to secondary school age, many in fancy dress, took part, but it wasn’t until we were invited to join the mayors on a platform in the market place that we became aware of the length of the procession.

“Intermittently we were showered with water bombs by schoolchildren and sprayed with water by some gardeners with watering cans and by firemen.

“Even pairs of horses pulling wagons representing farming activities or charcoal burning were dressed up, wearing special hats. It was a very happy occasion for the town and visitors alike.”

The group had also joined up with their Hungarian counterparts for a particularly enjoyable reception, she added. “We joined them and many residents of Metzingen on a warm Friday evening, sitting at long tables in the keltenplatz, or market place.

“We were welcomed by Dr Fiedler, who followed tradition by opening the first cask of beer. A brass band of young people played while we ate rotwurst and drank German beer.”

The group spent their last day there on a coach trip through the beautiful surrounding countryside to Steinhausen, where they visited the highly decorated, rococo parish church of St Peter and St Paul and enjoyed a hearty meal at a brewery.

They also visited another baroque church, St Oswald’s, which has connections with St Oswald’s Church at Heavenfield.

“A very enjoyable weekend was had by all,” Ruth said.

To learn more about Hexham Town Twinning association, contact Ruth on (01434) 633014.

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