Prestwick Town Twinning Association is preparing to welcome delegations from Germany and the United States as it celebrates 50 years of close ties with Lichtenfels, Bavaria, and 30 years of friendship with Vandalia, Ohio. A programme of events will take place from August 3 to August 8.
Milestone celebrations
A spokesperson for the association said: “This is the first time that an exchange has taken place here since our commemoration in Germany, just after the Euros in 2024. This is a milestone that only very few twinning organisations have managed to reach. The importance of friendship between nations, which improves educational and business ties, is even more desirable today. Indeed, the world is on a ‘shoogly peg’ and the aims and aspirations of twinning endeavours make the world a safer place.”
Programme highlights
On Tuesday, August 4, the guests will attend a reception in the Prestwick Room at County Buildings, hosted by Provost Iain Campbell. They will also enjoy a walk around Prestwick, followed by lunch at Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club with a talk on golf. At 4.30pm, a plaque will be unveiled by the Provost at Boydfield Gardens. Later, ‘Nibbles and Dribbles’ will take place at St Quivox Church Hall, featuring a slide show of images from PTTA’s 2024 visit to Lichtenfels.
On Wednesday, August 5, the group will visit the Alloway Railway Tunnel, which is undergoing a major mural installation, and other local attractions such as the Brig o’ Doon. They will then travel to Portpatrick for a day of sightseeing.
Thursday, August 6, includes a visit to Dean Castle in Kilmarnock and a Civic Reception at Ayr Town Hall, with performances by the Ayrshire Fiddle Orchestra, dancers, pipers, and Musichoir. On Friday, August 8, visits to the Heritage Centre in Cumnock and Dumfries House Estate are planned.
The spokesperson added: “Prestwick Town Twinning has members throughout Ayrshire and a few further afield, who were brought up in the town and visited Lichtenfels in the 1970’s and 80’s. We are very active in the town and have a great community spirit.”
