TWO years of hard work have finally paid off for the members of a Weymouth choir, who have thrown wide their doors and welcomed some friends from eastern Europe to the town.
In 2000, members of the Bridge Choir - an off-shoot of the legendary Quangle Wangle Choir - paid a cultural visit to the region around Arad in western Romania.
They stayed in the village of Pankota, lived with local people and joined the village choir for singing sessions.
A return visit was an obvious option and members of the Bridge Choir have spend the past two years raising funds, bidding for Lottery cash and liaising with other groups in Weymouth to bring their Romanian friends to Dorset.
Last weekend, 33 members of the Choir of Pankota, led by Pastor Teodor Mic, made the journey across Europe to Weymouth in a mechanically dubious mini-bus.
They are spending the week visiting local sites and attractions and singing with choral ensembles including the Briantspuddle Singers, Casterbridge Singers and Portland Singers.
It has taken quite a bit of work to organise this, but it's wonderful to have the choir over here
The initial links between Romania and Weymouth were built up by members of the Mission Romania scheme, which operates from its HQ at St Aldhelm's Church in Weymouth's Spa Road.
For more than a decade, members of the church, led by Malcolm Jarman, have been liaising with the Mocrea mental hospital in Romania, setting up links with the former Blackdown Clinic in Weymouth, raising funds, visiting the establishment and providing milk and cheese for the patients.
Mark Vyvyan-Penny, director of the Bridge to Romania organisation and Bridge Choir member, spoke to Malcolm - who is also a member of the choir - and the idea of the cultural exchange was born.
Mark explained: "It has taken quite a bit of work to organise this, but it's wonderful to have the choir over here at last.
"We managed to raise £1,000 ourselves and then put in for a Lottery bid which gave us £5,000 so we decided to go for it and bring them over.
"It is great to see them again."
The Romanian contingent is also delighted to be visiting their British friends at last.
"It is very good to be here," said Johanna, who acts as translator for Pastor Mic.
"It was a long journey getting here, but it was worth it."
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