HAVERFORDWEST will celebrate three decades of friendship with its twin town this year, and residents are invited to take a trip to Germany to celebrate the occasion.

In July, a group from Pembrokeshire’s county town will visit Oberkirch, a town in the Baden-Wurttemberg region of Germany to mark the 30th anniversary of twinning between the two communities.

Cllr Sue Murray, Mayor of Haverfordwest and president of the town twinning association, said: “I will have the honour of signing the charter as our mayor did way back in 1989.”

She added: “It is wonderful to be able to report, at this time of extreme political uncertainty that the commitment to friendship between our two towns remains as strong now as it did so many years ago.”

Chair of the twinning committee Roy Thomas agreed with the mayor’s sentiments and said: “it is marvellous to think that a number of founding members will be joining us, including the town clerk of the day and the founding chairman.”

The group will be visiting Oberkirch from July 11 to 17 and will also be staying in a French town on the outward and homeward bound journey.

Mr Thomas added the trip would be an exciting venture for the senior students from Haverfordwest High VC School and Pembrokeshire College who would be joining the group, saying it was vital for young people to be involved and maintain the relationship with Oberkirch.

Pat Lewis, secretary of the twinning association, said: “We are eager to have a full coach and there are a few places still available.

“For £200 this is a wonderful experience and I invite anyone who is interested in joining us to contact me on 01437 764496 or Roy Thomas on 01437 764757.”

In 1987, Mrs Lewis was Haverfordwest’s town clerk and was key to the start of the twinning relationship.

While at work she had a phone call from the Burgermeister of Oberkirch asking about twinning after he had seen the Glancleddau dancers perform in Germany.

An Oberkirch delegation visited in 1988, and a return visit by Town Councillors in 1989 cemented this highly successful partnership.

An official twinning ceremony in Germany was attended by two busloads of locals. The Haverfordwest Male Voice Choir gave a rousing concert alongside the Oberkirch band, accompanied by the Glancleddau Dancers.

In the past 30 years visits featuring numerous private and public events have helped links between the towns go from strength to strength.