Mayor visits Traunstein, our twinned town in Germany

A Winter Weekend in Traunstein: Strengthening Twinning Ties

Last weekend, the Mayor of Haywards Heath and members of the Haywards Heath Twinning Association travelled to our twin town Traunstein in Germany. They arrived to a beautiful wintery scene: fresh snow on the ground and a warm welcome from our Traunstein friends.

The visit was packed with memorable experiences that showcased the culture, history, and hospitality of the region.

Christmas in Traunstein, Germany

Exploring Traunstein: A guided walking tour of Traunstein offered fascinating insights into the town’s heritage. Highlights included a visit to the Parish Church of St Oswald, where the group was treated to a demonstration of the church’s impressive organ - complete with its own rare ‘Raven’ stop.

Christmas Magic: The group was honoured to be invited to the opening ceremony of Traunstein’s Christmas Market. The festive atmosphere continued the next day with a train trip across the border to Salzburg, Austria. There, they visited the world-famous Christmas Market, explored Mozart’s birthplace, and even climbed the iconic steps featured in The Sound of Music.

History, Culture, and Bavarian Hospitality: The group also visited the Silent Night Museum and Chapel, deepening their appreciation for the town’s culture. Brewery tours offered another flavour of local culture, complete with beer tastings and traditional Bavarian cuisine.

Literary Inspiration: The group enjoyed a thought-provoking literature evening, held in English, hosted by the Freundschaftsclub. The event, titled “The Future of Society,” sparked lively discussion and exchange of ideas.

Townspeople of Haywards Heath and Traunstein

Mayor Cllr Duncan Pascoe shared his experience: “Twinning is all about friendship, and my visit was about committing to the relationship we have with Traunstein. We felt so welcomed by our hosts and I was honoured to be part of the opening ceremony of their Christmas markets. Good friends like to share, and our hosts were keen to share their history, their culture, food, music, drinks and Christmas traditions. There’s so much we have in common and there are plenty of good ideas we can learn from. I look forward to sharing everything I love about our town when they visit us next year.”

Town Mayor Duncan Pascoe at Haywards-Heath-Weg in Traunstein, Germany

From cultural exchanges to festive celebrations, the weekend was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with our twin town and strengthen the bonds of friendship between Haywards Heath and Traunstein. The group sends many thanks to the townspeople of Traunstein for their warm and generous hospitality.

For more information on how to get involved in future twinning events, please visit https://www.haywardsheath.gov.uk/twinning