Prestwick Town Twinning Association are searching for former members to come forward as they continue their 50th anniversary celebrations.
Set up in 1974 with help from Prestwick Burgh Council and Ayr County Council, the association has forged long-lasting links with Lichtenfels in Germany, Ariccia in Italy and Vandalia in Ohio.
A visit to the Bavarian town earlier this year marked the 50th anniversary and the association wants to build on that momentum when they next host their German visitors in 2026.
Rhona Allanach, president of Prestwick Town Twinning Association, is hoping the association can link up with former members to hear their stories and to reunite friends who have fallen out of touch in recent years.
John Park and Rosel Englehardt have been two of the volunteers who have become friends over the last 50 years and they remain the longest serving members of their respective twinning associations.
In 1994, Rosel hosted a man called David Turnbull and Rhona hopes that they and other former member could meet once.
Rhona said: “We need your help. The longest serving members of the German and Prestwick town twinning associations are John Park and Rosel Englehardt.
“Rosel hosted a Mr David Turnbull in 1994 but we believe David and his wife are no longer in Troon where they lived for many years.
“It would be lovely to find their children and have them send some photos of themselves and any grandchildren to Rosel, with a brief update of what has happened to their parents.
“Please contact us through Prestwick Town Twinning Association on Facebook or PTTA.org.
“If you have been involved with Prestwick Town Twinning Association over the years and want to be involved in the 50th celebrations or find some of your visitors to hosts from the past, please get in touch. We want to hear from you.”
Provost of South Ayrshire Iain Campbell was present in Lichtenfels to mark the occasion and half-and-half Germany and Scotland football shirt was presented to Prestwick Town Twinning Association as part of the celebrations following Scotland’s qualification for Euro 2024.
At the heart of the partnerships has been the connection Prestwick has drawn between its community and the communities of Lichtenfels, Ariccia and Vandalia.
Although visits to the US are rarer due to the cost of travel, the two communities still maintain links in the intervening years.
Town twinning was an idea born out of the Second World War and the solidarity shown between the people of Coventry and Stalingrad (now Volgograd).
It encourages personal, cultural, economic, sporting and educational links between towns and cities and has also been seen as a gesture of peace and reconciliation in Europe.
Rhona added: “Food, drink and merriment, the fun, laughter and friendship of town twinning started 50 years ago and will continue to thrive and grow. It is quite an achievement.
“A great big thank you to those who have hosted and opened their homes over those years. They are central to the values, hopes and aspirations of twinning. Without them, none of this would be possible.”
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