CALLINGTON played host to visitors from across the water recently, welcoming groups from the twinning association of Barsbüttel in Germany and Guipavas in France. With three twin towns involved, the agreement is that one country hosts the other two on a rotational basis. This year was Callington's turn to act as hosts. The Barsbüttel group arrived on the Wednesday, allowing time for a visit on Thursday to Mount Edgecumbe House. The guided tour included a presentation in German, time for the visitors to don period costumes and walks through the grounds. The party from Guipavas arrived on the Thursday, and joined an excursion to Dartmouth on the Friday, including a boat trip along the River Dart from Totnes. A civic reception was held in Callington Town Hall, marking the 10th anniversary of the twinning charter between Callington and Barsbüttel. A gingko tree was presented by Thomas Schreitmüller, the mayor of Barsbüttel, who explained that the gingko was a 'tree of friendship' and a fitting symbol of the strong relationship between the two towns. Sue Lumley, chair of the Callington Twinning Association, said: 'It is always so rewarding to see people from different countries getting on so well and we were particularly pleased to see families with young children taking part. It was over all too quickly, but we are already looking forward to next year when we will be the guests of families in Guipavas.'