The Provost of Perth and Kinross will visit one of Perth’s twin towns in June as part of a historic link that began in the aftermath of the Second World War.
Following the cessation of hostilities, France, Germany and the UK were all keen to establish twinning links and that led to Perth’s association with Aschaffenburg, in Bavaria, Germany.
Members of Perth and Kinross Council’s provost’s sub-committee of the strategic policy and resources committee heard that Provost Liz Grant and a delegation from the council will travel to Aschaffenburg in June to try to establish pupil exchange visits and to attend the opening of the town’s annual folk festival, which will be its 86th.
Numerous visits have taken place each year between the Friends Organisations in Perth and Kinross and Aschaffenburg since the pair first became twinned in 1956.
The committee heard that the purpose in establishing the pupil exchange visits would be to give young people an insight into a “different culture,” broadening their understanding and encouraging them to be strong European citizens and ambassadors.
Council members also heard that it is hoped the visits will create enthusiasm among the younger generation for the twinning relationship between Aschaffenburg and Perth.
Provost Grant will travel to the German town along with Bernadette Malone, chief executive of Perth and Kinross Council, depute provost Councillor Bob Band, the convener of the council’s lifelong learning committee, the head teacher of Perth High School and a teacher from Perth Academy.
Provost Grant told the committee that she had received a formal invitation to go to Aschaffenburg and highlighted the background to the twinning.
“The twinning was established after the Second World War to repair a lot of the damage done by the war,” she said.
“I know the twinning with Perth is highly regarded and valued by Aschaffenburg. Many people from there visit Perth in their own time.”
Provost Grant said there will be a “full itinerary” and that the council delegation visiting the Bavarian town will be the “public face” of Perth and Kinross.
Councillor Willie Wilson told committee members that the trip to Aschaffenburg could be “perceived” as a “jolly”, but assured councillors that it was not.
“On trips like this you are representing your town and country and are often out from 7am to late at night,” he commented.
“These trips are very enjoyable, but are tiring. You have to use your mettle all the time,” he went on.
“I feel these trips provide value for money the amount of visitors that travel back and forth from Aschaffenburg is substantial. We have possibly got our money’s worth in terms of trade and tourism.”
The strong links were emphasised last year when a contingent of serving and retired firefighters from Perth travelled to Aschaffenburg to commemorate 150 years of firefighting.
The Perth fire crew formed part of a large parade, involving more than 200 firefighters from the German city and Aschaffenburg’s other twin cities of St Germain-en-Laye. in France, and Miskolc, in Hungary.
Perth’s twinning links around the world were highlighted last year as part of the diamond jubilee celebrations, with carved crests of twin towns Aschaffenburg, Pskov in Russia, Bydgoszcz in Poland and Perth, Ontario in Canada being made.
This followed on from a crest being made in 2011 of Cognac in France.