YOUNG members are urgently needed by the Bromley Town Twinning Association, the chairman Peter Brown told the annual meeting in a review of the borough’s partnership with the German town of Neuwied in the Rhineland.

“At the moment we have around 120 members in the association but we do not have enough young members – either young people or young families. There’s a lot to be gained by social meetings with people from Neuwied including visits to the town and hospitality by Neuwied families. It’s a great way of getting to know Europe and German people,” said Mr Brown.

He said he was also anxious to encourage more sporting groups to visit Neuwied to play against the town’s sports teams as contacts were weak on this front.

Two groups who will be going to Germany this summer are the Ravensbourne Morris Men and the Bromley Youth Music Trust.

Both will be there at the same time at the end of July.

The young musicians will be performing at an open air concert at Rommersdorf Abbey on Wednesday, July 22, and Thursday, July 23.

In early July, Neuwied will be holding its famous annual festival, the Deichsfest, from Thursday, July 9, to Sunday, July 12, and Bromley people will be assured of a special welcome and hospitality if they can get over to the festival.

From Friday, May 22, to Sunday, May 24, members of the Neuwied Friendship Association will be visiting Bromley and attending a reception with the Mayor of Bromley.

Anyone who can help in hosting the visit or providing accommodation should get in touch with Mr Brown, telephone 01689 851605; e-mail Peterbrown80@btopenworld.coming

Olympic year 2012 will be the 25th anniversary of Bromley’s town twinning with Neuwied and the association is hoping to plan a series of events to welcome Neuwied citizens to the London Olympics.