Visitors from Germany were treated to a special golden anniversary party in Gidea Park.

Postponed by a year because of the Covid restrictions, the Havering/Ludwigshafen Twinning Association has now celebrated 50 years since the two cities were officially linked in 1971.

About 60 people from both cities enjoyed a meal, cake, live music and dancing at the party at the Catholic Church of Christ the Eternal High Priest in Gidea Park.

Romford Recorder: L-r: Maisie Whitelock, former mayor of Havering; Elisabeth Dill, leader of the German delegation; Marcel Jurkat, leader of the town-twinning group in Ludwigshafen; Malcolm Toft, treasurer Havering/Ludwigshafen Twinning Association; Kath O'Connor, secretary of the Havering/Ludwigshafen Twinning Association and Rodney Tyler, vice-chair of the Havering/Ludwigshafen Twinning AssociationL-r: Maisie Whitelock, former mayor of Havering; Elisabeth Dill, leader of the German delegation; Marcel Jurkat, leader of the town-twinning group in Ludwigshafen; Malcolm Toft, treasurer Havering/Ludwigshafen Twinning Association; Kath O'Connor, secretary of the Havering/Ludwigshafen Twinning Association and Rodney Tyler, vice-chair of the Havering/Ludwigshafen Twinning Association (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Havering/Ludwigshafen Twinning Association's secretary Kath O’Connor, 85, said: "It went extremely well. All members brought delicious food and there was an amazing display."

Romford Recorder: Angelika and Rolf Konig, Sylvia and Rod Tyler, Malcolm Coft, and Christa and Jurgenu Leiss at the eventAngelika and Rolf Konig, Sylvia and Rod Tyler, Malcolm Coft, and Christa and Jurgenu Leiss at the event (Image: Sandra Rowse)

The link between Havering and Ludwigshafen, which is on the west bank of the Rhine, first began in 1968 with a gathering of the International Police Association in Reckinghausen, Germany.

It hoped to form a twinning that was non-political, non-religious and non-sectarian.

Romford Recorder: Dancing after the meal at the golden anniversary eventDancing after the meal at the golden anniversary event (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Nowadays, German and London members alternate between hosting an annual visit once a year.

This year, visitors from Ludwigshafen joined in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations at a street party in Beltinge Road, and were treated to a river cruise along the Thames.

Romford Recorder: From left to right: Walter Sehulte, Margit Busch, mayor of Havering Trevor McKeever, Kath O'Connor and Elisabeth DillyFrom left to right: Walter Sehulte, Margit Busch, mayor of Havering Trevor McKeever, Kath O'Connor and Elisabeth Dilly (Image: Sandra Rowse)

To find out more about the Havering/Ludwigshafen Twinning Association, call Michael O’Connor on 07833615997.

Romford Recorder: The Havering/Ludwigshafen Twinning Association celebrated its 50th anniversary with a jubilee cake made by Stella MatsellThe Havering/Ludwigshafen Twinning Association celebrated its 50th anniversary with a jubilee cake made by Stella Matsell (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Romford Recorder: The Fairkytes Accordion Band played British and German tunes at the eventThe Fairkytes Accordion Band played British and German tunes at the event (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Romford Recorder: Members of the twinning associations from Havering and LudwigshafenMembers of the twinning associations from Havering and Ludwigshafen (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Romford Recorder: Kath O'Connor, secretary of the Havering Branch, and Marcel Jurke, leader of the Ludwigshafen branch, at the eventKath O'Connor, secretary of the Havering Branch, and Marcel Jurke, leader of the Ludwigshafen branch, at the event (Image: Sandra Rowse)