FENLANDER: Hosts needed to welcome visitors from Germany for twinning visit

About 50 people are coming over from Nettetal, one of Fenland District Council’s twin towns, on a trip organised by FDC and the Fenland Twinning Association (FTA). They will be in Fenland from July 14-18.

Some of the visitors already have accommodation arranged with people who were their guests in Nettetal in 2009 but about 10 more hosts are likely to be needed.

Anyone who would like to find out more about what would be expected of them is invited to a “hosts’ evening” at Fenland Hall in March on April 13. Light refreshments will be provided.

The visit will include an evening reception on July 14 and two days out - a Mississippi Riverboat trip on the Norfolk Broads on July 15, on which the FTA will have sole use of the boat and an open bar, and another outing of a kind still to be decided on July 17.

There will also be a dinner dance for the visitors and their hosts at Wisbech St Mary Community Centre on July 16.

Joan Diggle, Chairman of the FTA, said: “We had a fantastic time over in Nettetal two years ago and we want to give our German friends an equally warm welcome when they come here.”

Sharon Smith, Member Services Officer at FDC, agreed. “Please do consider opening up your homes to our visitors,” she said. “Most of them speak excellent English and they are great fun to be with. It is not an expensive weekend and we will give you all the support you need.”

Anyone interested in hosting should call Sharon Smith on 01354 622281, e-mail her on sharonsmith@fenland.gov.uk or come along to the hosts’ evening on April 13.

• A YOUTH football team from Nettetal is also keen to visit Fenland at the same time as the twinning group. Sixteen youngsters aged about 12 and two coaches are hoping to stay with local families and play matches with local clubs. An adult team also wants to come.

If you can help and would like more details, please contact Mike Cornwell on 01354 653757 or e-mail him at fenlandtwinning@gmail.com