SOME people will know that Leominster has been twinned with Saverne – in the Alsace region of France – for more than 20 years.

But what might not be quite so well known is that many of our Christmas traditions actually originate from the region and that they range from Christmas markets to Christmas trees.

The bond between Leominster and Saverne was forged more than 20 years ago.

Former Leominster Grammar School pupil Mary Milward was living in Saverne and knew the towns were similar in size and that both were close to country borders.

After a number of meetings and consultations, the official twinning charter was signed in Saverne in October 1992 and again in Leominster in 1993.

That bond is still strong, with each association taking it in turns to visit its foreign friend each year.

But as we settle down for Christmas here in Herefordshire, it is worth considering the traditions of those friends and how they might have inspired our own.

Christmas in Saverne is a cause for special decoration for the shops in town. The food shops have trays of traditional spiced cakes and decorated gingerbread men while the gift shops have traditional Alsace Christmas decorations, baubles and wreaths in bright red and gold.

At night the Christmas lights, colourful shops and market outside the floodlit Chateau des Rohans – the town hall – gives the town a magical festive appearance.

Basic ingredients of a successful Christmas in Saverne are the advent wreath, the fir tree (Christmas tree), Christmas biscuits (Wihnachts Bredele), gingerbread bread figures (bonhommes), pretzels and hot wine.

From 5pm on Christmas Eve the streets are empty and the shops and services close until December 27 while people are at home waiting for Santa Claus.

His arrival is announced with a bell and children are often rewarded after singing a song or reciting a Christmas tale.

After the presents are distributed there is a festive meal which traditionally consists of roast goose with chestnuts and red cabbage – although capons are also popular – followed by a yule log with chestnut cream called buche de noel.

After the meal, for the brave, there is midnight mass. At the exit, the faithful are rewarded with a glass of mulled wine and cupcakes.

On December 25, all the family enjoy a traditional Kouglof breakfast – a sweet bread studded with raisins and nuts – and also choucroûte which is sauerkraut with pork and sausages.

Boxing Day is also a holiday in Alsace to celebrate St Etienne, the first Christmas martyr. It is traditionally the day to allow recovery after the feasting on the previous days.

Leominster is next to host a twinning visit and will do so next year.

Chris Hinsley, chairman of the Leominster Twinning Association, said: "We are determined to keep the twinning alive.

"The friendships that are generated are very important and are very much a case of friendships with families.

"And the joy of seeing people you haven’t seen for 12 months is delightful. "Over the years they have taken us around the nearby castles, museums and other places of interest so we have learned a lot about the area."

Mr Hinsley said that, as part of a twinning trip you are no longer just a tourist and are fully immersed in the way of life over there.

"Because we stay with families they treat us as honoured guests. We try to make the whole thing one of friendship which is the absolute essence of twinning," he added.

The association is keen to get more young people involved in order to keep the tradition alive for many years.

Anyone interested in getting involved can email secretary Monica Todd on Monica.Todd@btinternet.com