OVER the weekend celebrations for the twenty years of Ledbury’s Twinning with Strömstad in Sweden finally took place. The celebrations which should have taken place during 2020 were delayed owing to Covid 19.

The Association were joined by representatives from Strömstad, including Ronnie Brorsson, Chairman of the City Council, in Strömstad, Mats Brocker , Municipal Chief Executive Officer, and a number of others all who had visited Ledbury many times before and enjoy coming back. Adam Munthe, from Hellens Manor, the President of the Association and the Mayor of Ledbury Councillor Phillip Howells attended.

The main celebration was a Family Fun Event, Swedish Style on the Recreation Ground. The Event was opened by Ronnie Brorsson, Councillor Phillip Howells, Ledbury Carnival Princess, Evie and one of her attendants, Lily May.

A Swedish Pole, decorated with greenery and flowers was erected on the Recreation Ground and dancing and singing led by Nina and Bosse Markendahl took place, including the traditional ‘Three Frogs’. The Pole was made by Ledbury Swifts. The sun finally began to shine as the dancing commenced and great fun was had by all ages, including a couple of dogs.

Other activities included making the traditional Flower Crowns, decorating pebbles and Swedish Bunting. Ledbury Swifts organised football style games and an impromptu match took place between Ledbury and Strömstad; the result was never quite clear! Ledbury Community Choir sang party songs, Ledbury Poetry Festival, Brenda Read-Brown attended to write take away poems, Ledbury Morris dancers provided further colourful entertainment and welcome refreshments were available in the form of afternoon tea.

Fun, laughter, friendship and sharing of cultures was the theme of the afternoon; the basis of our Twinning relationship with Strömstad.

Other events over the weekend, included a party at Hellens, hosted by Adam Munthe and the re-launch of Little Strömstad at the Talbot Hotel. The latter so named by one of the first choirs to come from Strömstad to sing in Ledbury, twenty years ago.

Ledbury Swifts footballers, under 18 girls, will be going out to play in Strömstad at the end of the month, the first time since 2019. They are one of the most sustained links of the Twinning Friendship, having been visiting since 2000. One of the families attending the event on Saturday afternoon, was a former Swifts player who had visited Strömstad with one of the first teams to go out.

Celebrations in Strömstad will take towards the end of July, representatives from the Swifts will attend accompanied by members of the Twinning Association Committee.