A tale of two spa towns (From Ledbury Reporter)

A tale of two spa towns

1:00pm Thursday 18th October 2012 in News By Robert Hale

TWO years of hard work comes to fruition next weekend when a delegation from the Czech town of Marianske Lazne visits Malvern to sign a twinning agreement.

Five officials from the resort, which like Malvern is a well-known spa town, will be arriving next Thursday.

The five-strong delegation led by mayor Zdenek Kral, who are staying at the Great Malvern Hotel, have a busy couple of days ahead of them with plenty to see and do.

On arrival, they will be greeted by Malvern mayor Ian Hopwood and, in a nod to the town’s shared spa heritage, visit a number of springs and wells around the hills before dining at the award-winning Cottage in the Wood.

On Friday, Malvern’s scientific and technological past and future will be on the agenda, with the Czech party visiting local firms including Morgan Cars, Malvern Instruments, QinetiQ and Malvern Hill Science Park.

In the evening, there will be a reception at Malvern College, where the two mayors will officially sign the scroll affirming the partnership between the two towns.

On Saturday morning, a sign marking the twinning will be fixed to the Welcome to Malvern sign at the entrance to the town in Guarlford Road.

The same day, the vicepresident of Marianske Lazne’s Royal Golf Club will visit the Worcestershire Golf Club in Malvern Wells. The Czech club is unusual in that it was founded by Britain’s King Edward VII, and uses the term royal with the permission of the Queen.

Delegation members will go on to visit the theatre, priory and museum, before enjoying a pub lunch at the Bell at Bosbury and paying visits to Ledbury and the Hop Pocket at Bishops Frome. The final official function is a reception hosted by Coun Hopwood.

Coun Hopwood said: “It will be a tiring two days, but a great way to strengthen the links between the two towns.”