AN INTERNATIONAL concert in St Michael and All Angels Church will signal the beginning of close cultural links between a town in Bavaria in Germany and Ledbury.

It will also symbolise reconciliation between two nations, in the years which sees the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

On Saturday, May 2, at 7.30pm, German choir the Kantorei Schwartzbruck will perform in Ledbury Parish Church as part of the first major visit under the link between the Deanery of Ledbury and the Deanery of Altdorf in Bavaria.

William Hopkinson, the Lay Co-Chairman of Ledbury Deanery, and an organiser of the event said: “The concert will be in conjunction with the Ledbury Choral Society, some of whose members will also take part. Both the Altdorf and Ledbury sides hope to establish not only strong links between the churches but to explore a social and cultural relationship between the two towns, with the prospect of Ledbury Choral Society visiting Altdorf in 2016.”

Mr Hopkinson added: “Everyone interested in meeting the visitors, in exploring the riches of German culture, and in the reconciliation of the countries after the devastation of the World Wars is invited to engage with the link, starting with this concert.

“The concert does not actually celebrate the end of the Second War but picks up on the fact there is a great deal more to German culture and history than 12 years of the Third Reich.”

The choirs will sing pieces by Brahms and Mendelssohn.

Mr Hopkinson said: “All are welcome: do come along, hear the singing and meet the visitors, who will also take part in the 9.30 am service on May 3.”

The Bavarian choir will see the best of the three counties during their visit.

Mr Hopkinson said: “On this occasion the choir will visit Worcester Cathedral, the Elgar Museum, the Big Blossom at Putley, and Hereford Cathedral, including the Mappa Mundi.”

Ledbury is no stranger to international links.

It has been twinned with Stromstad in Sweden for many years.