YOUNG footballers from Fenland could get the chance to visit Germany in the future under a new scheme discussed during the recent “twinning” visit to Nettetal.

Proposals for exchanges between Fenland youth teams and their counterparts from the German district were among the ideas floated during the five-day trip. The establishment of a pen-pal scheme was also suggested.

Both ideas were put forward at a breakfast meeting with the Burgermeister involving representatives from both districts. They will now be explored in more detail, according to Fenland District Councillor Mike Cornwell, secretary of the Fenland Twinning Association.

Cllr Cornwell was one of 30 Fenland residents who made the trip, which had been brought forward by a year to enable people to visit the Floriade, a world-famous horticultural show held once every 10 years at Venlo in the Netherlands, just across the border from Nettetal.

Cllr Cornwell said: “We all had a great time, renewing old friendships and making new ones.

“On the Friday we spent a long – and unfortunately wet – day at the Floriade, a wonderful celebration of flowers and vegetables.

“Saturday was a ‘family day’, which our hosts interpreted in various ways to enable us to experience German life, the local environment – and shopping! That culminated in a grand dinner dance.

“A visit to an open museum on Sunday morning was followed by lunch - local pancakes that were like flat Yorkshire puddings – and B�gelbahn, a German bowling-type game involving two balls and a hoop.

“The day was rounded off with various parties, barbecues - and by all accounts much wine and beer tasting.

“Our hosts made us tremendously welcome and we agreed that we would return the favours when they next come over to Fenland in 2014.”

• The visits are organised by the Fenland Twinning Association. For more information about the plans for youth football exchanges, pen pals or the 2014 visit, e-mail Cllr Cornwell on fenlandtwinning@gmail.com