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A LARGE group from Forres celebrated 35 years of the town's special relationship with its European twin in Germany.

Eighteen members of the Forres-Vienenburg Twinning Association (FVTA) went to the borough of Goslar in Lower Saxony to look back on more than three decades of student and family exchanges, re-enforcing ties that bind our towns ahead of Brexit.

FVTA chairman Dave MacFarquhar confirmed the association, which was set up in 1984, was fortunate in finding a German twinning partner situated a few hundred metres from the Iron Curtain which separated East and West Germany until 1989.

He said: "Early visitors from Forres could view, from steps and platforms, friends and relatives of Vienenburg residents, living on the other side of the wall who were almost impossible to meet for about 30 years. This time, we attended a major exhibition on the 30th anniversary of the end of the Cold War in the Vienenburg Museum. An enormous collection of photos and films was on display which brought back the reality of that difficult time."

Later, the group were taken to where part of the fence had been retained as a memorial to the division of Europe. The visitors heard stories from their hosts of emotional family experiences, both when the Iron Curtain was erected and removed.

During the week-long trip, the group visited the Autostadt (Volkswagen centre) in Wolfsburg. They also paid a visit to the Klosterbrennerei (monastery distillery) at Wöltingerode where they sampled schnapps produced from grains, fruits, and herbs.

Mr MacFarquhar added: "Our interest in these products was insatiable! Apart from sight-seeing in Goslar, there was speech-making, much eating and drinking, some singing of both Scots and German songs, and toasts to the future of the partnership which will survive after October 31."