In the first of an occasional column, Liz Smith, chairman, Worcester Twinning Association, tells us how city keeps in touch with its twin towns

Worcester maintains regular contacts with most of our twin towns, but one of them, our namesake, Worcester in Massachusetts USA, is a long way away, and maintaining such regular annual visits is challenging.

It was therefore a great pleasure that the Worcester Chorus choir from Worcester Mass made Worcester UK one of its stops on a recent singing tour of this country. They arrived in the Faithful City with true American energy: after an all-night flight from the US they took in a visit to Windsor Castle on their journey here.

With only one full day in Worcester most of their time was taken up with rehearsals before singing in the Cathedral for Evensong. Then off to their next destination – Coventry – in the morning.

However, a number of the 59 strong party stayed with members of the Twinning Association, while other members were able to join the Choir for lunch at the Cricket Club between rehearsals.

We were joined by former mayor Derek Prodger with his wife Mary on this occasion. Derek was instrumental in promoting this twinning over 10 years ago.

Worcester’s other twin towns are in Europe, and over the years many lasting friendships have been formed.

Members will be visiting Kleve in Germany, our original twin town this month and, earlier this year, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of our twinning with Le Vesinet while Worcester members have joined with the people of Ukmerge in Lithuania for their annual festival.

Worcester also has a temporary twinning with the village of Gouzeaucourt in France, the village they helped in the aftermath of WW1 and a Friendship Pact with Vernon, the city liberated by the Worcestershire Regiment after the D Day landings in 1944.