A thirty-five year old society keeping Weymouth's international connection alive has, unfortunately, had to close.

The Weymouth and Holzwickede Twinning Society have regrettably announced a special meeting to bring the society officially and permanently to a close. Weymouth and Portland have been twinned with Holzwickede, a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, since 1986. A relationship which will continue despite the society's announced dissolution.

The group works with their German counterparts to organise trips and exchanges. Supporting and encouraging language and school exchanges and strengthening the ties between our two countries.

Dorset Echo: The Weymouth and Holzwickede Twinning Society have been in operation for 35 years but have had issues attracting younger people into comittee roles. Picture: Weymouth and Holzwickede Twinning Society

Fred Flack, the society chairman of eight years, says that the reason for the dissolution of the organisation is the advanced age of key members. Fred Flack - himself 82 and no longer as capable of making the journey to Germany as he was in the past- adds that they have been unable to find a replacement for their 90-year-old treasurer and other key committee roles which has meant they can no longer continue to function.

Mr Flack said: "For the last two years we have said to our group that we need someone younger to take over, and whilst some have joined, we haven’t been able to fill key roles such as treasurer."

The group currently has around 30 members, and Mr Flack estimates that even the youngest are around 60.

Mr Flack added: "As you would imagine as a society we come from all sorts of backgrounds, and this has been a great opportunity to get to know people and see parts of Germany we would never normally see. This group is also a social one, people enjoy meeting together and part of the closing meeting will perhaps be the last time we have a meal together.

Dorset Echo: The twinning society on a visit to the Reichstag in Germany. Picture: Weymouth and Holzwickede Twinning Society

"Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this society all these years making great memories and keeping our international connection alive, especially in these troubled times. It is a great shame we have to close down, but we are hopeful that this won’t mean the end of our special connection to the beautiful Holzwickede and theirs with us."

The final meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 28 at 6pm from the Lugger Inn in Chickerell.

Weymouth and Portland are also twinned with Louviers in France, which has its own active society.