A TEUTONIC twinning group celebrating 25 years of Frankish friendships have invited their whole town to join them on a special silver anniversary expedition.

The Wantage & Grove Twinning Association are planning to make a very musical mission to Seesen in the Harz Mountains in August.

They have already roped in renowned Wantage organist Graham Blyth and classical pianist Jim Mitchell and Seesen musician Claudia Scharer.

Now they are hoping to get more local musicians involved, but also general German enthusiasts of all ages.

Organiser Wanda Oberman said: “To mark this special and historical occasion – the Wantage German Twinning Association is extending an open invitation to anyone interested in twinning and any past member or friend of any age who has had links with Seesen.

“We would like groups such as the Scouts, sports groups, air cadets or any others who would like to renew old friendships, to join us in this year’s visit.”

Seesen is in Lower Saxony, about 50 miles from Hannover, to the north-west of the Harz mountains, and is surrounded by wooded hills and rolling farmland.

Some 23,000 people live in the town itself and neighbouring villages.

The expedition is planned to travel by Barnes Coaches from Wantage – leaving on Thursday, August 16.

After taking the channel ferry, there will be an overnight hotel stop in Belgium, and the group will arrive in Seesen on the evening of Friday, August 17.

The formal start of a weekend of celebrations will be marked on the Saturday by the Mayor of Seesen Erik Homann, chairman of the Seesen twinning group Renate Tilarski and her deputy Rolf-Dieter Spotter with speeches and the singing of the German and British National Anthems.

Over the weekend there will be a special service at the parish church and other musical celebrations.

The twinners will also get the opportunity to enjoy trips to places of local interest arranged by the German hosts.

The Brits will leave Seesen on Friday, August 24, again making an overnight hotel stop in Belgium and a sight-seeing visit to Bruges, arriving back in Wantage early on the evening of Saturday, August 26.

The total cost in the region of £500 – depending on numbers – including ferry and hotels in Belgium and accommodation in Seesen.

For more information about the Wantage & Grove Twinning Association (French and German) visit wantage.com.

For details and to reserve a place on the trip contact group secretary Derek Verdin on 01235 764750 or chairman Graham Parker on 01235 765209