A FORMER mayor of Aberystwyth is calling on former Kronberg exchange pupils to share their pictures and experiences to celebrate 20 years of the twinning relationship.

Carol Kolczak said there will be a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the official twinning agreement between Aberystwyth and Kronberg, with a visit to the German town near Frankfurt planned for August, followed by a reciprocal visit in September.

But even before the twinning agreement was reached, pupils from Ardwyn, Penglais and Penweddig schools have been taking part in cultural exchange trips and hosting German pupils.

“We want to attract the pupils that have been to Kronberg for the last 46 years,” said Mrs Kolczak.

“The schools used to go on music and language exchange trips before we twinned with Kronberg.

“The teacher who had been doing this, Fritz Pratschke, was given the Freedom of Aberystwyth in 2011. We are still friends; he is 80 years old now.”

In May 2010, a delegation from Kronberg travelled to Aberystwyth to be part of the mayor-making ceremony, although it ended on a sour note after volcanic ash left the German guests with a 24-hour journey home.

If anyone has any photos and/or experiences from exchanges with Kronberg, they are asked to e-mail them to [email protected] and/or [email protected]. Or post them to Cambrian News, 7 Science Park, Aberystwyth SY23 3AH.

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