As we are getting out more, seeing friends and family in person, and perhaps even dusting off our suitcases in the hopes of travelling widely again, I think we can all agree that there is still work to be done in the global Covid-19 efforts.

Did you know that the BioNTech vaccine (before Pfizer came in for marketing purposes) was created by scientists working in Mainz, Germany? Watford is twinned with Mainz!

Watford is also twinned with Nanterre (France), Pesaro (Italy), Delaware (USA) – President Biden’s home town - and Veliky Novgorod (Russia). These links were set up to foster international relationships and understandings in a post world war age.

I am the current chair of the Watford-Novgorod Friendship Society, which has been enjoying exchange visits with the English Club in Veliky Novgorod since 1990. Myself and other family members have been to Veliky Novgorod several times and stayed with a wonderful family who may as well now be blood related.

These are some of the warmest, most generous people I know. If I was to take a trip there again, and who wouldn’t with over 1150 years of history, culture and good food in one city, I know I would be welcomed to stay with them in a heartbeat.

Maybe with this pandemic affecting the entire globe, it’s time to rekindle our relationships with all the towns we are lucky enough to be twinned with.

Lyanne Thornton-Harewood

Watford-Novgorod Friendship Society Chair