MORE than 80 members of the Hereford Gilbert and Sullivan operatic Society have returned from a visit to Hereford's twin town of Dillenburg in Germany, made at the invitation of the Mayor of Dillenburg, Herr Michael Lotz, who made an official visit to Hereford. The party, which performed the Pirates of Penzance, included 17 members of the orchestra, under the baton of Peter Gittins and the society was welcomed in Oberscheld by the Mayor of Dillenburg and officials of the Gluck-Auf Choir from Oberscheld whose members together with friends and members of the German-English society hosted all the visitors.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, one of the leading singers was unable to travel with the Hereford party and his part was competently played by Martyn Harrison who also directed the production. Following an afternoon performance, the society played to a full house on Saturday evening with the audience appreciating the humour and the singing especially the parts sung in German by the Musical Director, Allan Durman.