A VERY busy year has been planned by the Ledbury and Stromstad Twinning Association, to strengthen the town's enduring links with the Swedish seaside town.

This month, the Ledbury Community Choir will be visiting Strömstad at the invitation of the Tontämjarna Choir.

The Ledbury visitors will sing with the Swedish choir at their Spring Concert on Saturday April 23, which just happens to be St George’s Day in England.

Twinning group spokeswoman, Jill Jupp said: "The idea is to reciprocate the way that we celebrate Swedish National Day in Ledbury by celebrating St George’s Day in Strömstad. The choirs will be singing both individually and jointly. Two members of the Association will also be going to Strömstad to support the visit."

Three teachers from Stromstad are set to visit Ledbury this summer.

Mrs Jupp, a former mayoress of Ledbury said: "They will be from a small school, just outside of Strömstad, and will visit at the beginning of June.

"In addition to exploring Ledbury and the surrounding area they will be spending some time at Ledbury Primary School."

A further teacher from the High School in Strömstad is hoping to visit during the Poetry Festival, in July.

Mrs Jupp added: "The Association is still hoping to arrange a cross schools initiative over the next year to 18 months with students from Strömstad and from Herefordshire."

There will be a celebration of the Swedish National Day during the Ledbury Community Day, on Saturday June 11. The venue will be the ‘Little Strömstad’ room in the Talbot Hotel, New Street.

Mrs Jupp said: "Visitors will receive a warm 'Valkommen'; there will be Swedish style refreshments to sample, a selection of photographs and artefacts and for those who wish to explore the Swedish culture, a taster Swedish quiz and Swedish conversation to try."

In what is now an annual tradition, the Ledbury Swifts will once more visit Strömstad this summer, to play in the Roberts Cup, an international youth soccer tournament.

Mrs Jupp said: "Ledbury Swifts are making arrangements to send two under 17 year teams to play in the Roberts Cup and other matches as part of the annual tournament.

"The Swifts are one of the most consistent aspects of the Twinning, having visited Strömstad every year since 2000, and are real ambassadors for Ledbury."

Fundraising to support this visit is in full swing and will include a sponsored cycle ride on static bikes covering the distance between Ledbury and Strömstad, 1850 kilometres.

The strong twinning link will also be in evidence on Ledbury Carnival Day, August Bank Holiday Monday, when the Association will have a float.

Mrs Jupp said: "After last year’s success, where the Association won first prize in their category, plans are being put in place regarding this year’s entry."

An "Autumn Fund Raiser" is also being planned.

This could be in the form of "a Swedish Smorgasbord and quiz or something similar".

A music group from Stromstad, which played at The Talbot Hotel, in April 2014, are planning a return visit for this September.

The Association's AGM will take place on Tuesday May 10, from 7.30 pm Ledbury Town Council Offices.

Mrs Jupp said: "This is an opportunity to learn more about the activities of the Association and forthcoming events."

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Association and membership should contact the Chairman, Hilary Jones, on 07779 432289 or the Secretary, Jill Jupp, on 01531 635129.