St George's Day was a real "hands across the sea" event for the Ledbury Community Choir who were in Sweden, at Ledbury's twin town of Stromstad, for a very special concert.

Ledbury has been twinned with Strömstad, on the west coast of Sweden, for approximately 16 years, and for a number of years, the Ledbury Strömstad Twinning Association has celebrated Swedish National Day, 6 June, as part of Ledbury Community Day.

This year, the Stromstad community has returned the compliment.

Twinning Association spokesperson, Jill Jupp said: "The Association was contacted by Jonathan Lindell, Chairman of the Tontämjama Choir, Strömstad, last summer, saying that they would like to reciprocate by celebrating St George’s Day and would the Ledbury Community Choir come out to join them in a concert.

"This led to a very special and successful visit taking place at the end of April. Apart from the main concert ‘Var Feelings’ which means Spring Feelings, the Choir gave some spontaneous performances, including from a boat going to the Koster Islands, outside of the church in Strömstad and on the waterfront in brilliant sunshine. These were enjoyed by local people and members of the Tontämjama Choir who came to support."

Mrs Jupp added: "A joint rehearsal and social evening, hosted by the Tontämjama Choir took place and both choirs entertained with a lively repertoire. The Concert , ‘Vår Feelings’ took place on the evening of St George’s Day in the Strömstad Gymnasium. The Tontämjama Choir, under the leadership of their conductor, Bjarne Shutzer sang works by the composer Ted Gärdestad. The Ledbury Choir, under their conductor, Mal Hughes, sang some English folk songs, including ‘Greensleeves’, a medley from ‘My Fair Lady’, the moving ‘Keep You in Peace’ and ‘Love is the Sweetest Thing’.

"The two choirs then joined together on the stage, singing the powerful ‘A Flower Remembered’ a song written by John Rutter in memory of the victims of Fukushima 2011, and on a lighter note Abba classics such as ‘Dancing Queen’ and ‘Thank You for the Music’."

The mayor of Strömstad, Peter Dafteryd, a strong supporter of the twinning between the two towns, said how the links are valued, "especially the exchange of culture and information which gave people the opportunity to meet and friendships to grow".

Clive Jupp read out a message from the Mayor of Ledbury, Councillor Annette Crowe, in which she said that both communities valued the friendship and understanding that such visits promoted and hoped that it would not be too long before Ledbury was able to welcome a return visit from the Tontämjarna choir.

Mrs Jupp said: "Everyone from the Ledbury Community Choir enjoyed their visit to Strömstad; they experienced wonderful hospitality and friendship from the Tontämjama Choir. Plans are now being made for the latter to visit to Ledbury in 2017."

But Ledbury people will not have to wait so long to add to the already strong twinning links.

As has happened for most of the last 16 years, Ledbury Swifts, Under 17’s will be visiting Strömstad at the end of July to play in the annual tournament with IFK Strömstad, known as The Roberts Cup.

Anyone seeking more information about this and other forthcoming twinning activities should phone 01531 635129.