A THREE-WAY twinning link between Salisbury, Saintes and the German town of Xanten is on the cards following a fact-finding visit to Salisbury last week.

Salisbury is twinned already with Saintes in France. As Xanten and Saintes also are twinned, the idea has been mooted to form a triangle link - something which could attract European Union funding.

Spearheading the idea is Eberhard Ritter, a town councillor in Xanten who last week spent three days in Salisbury meeting various people to see if a three-city arrangement would work.

The idea already has the support of Salisbury's next mayor, Councillor Patrick Paisey, and the current mayor, Councillor Jeremy Nettle.

Councillor Kevin Cardy also backs it and is acting as link-man with Xanten

Herr Ritter told the Journal: "Xanten has a population of about 23,000 and has a Gothic cathedral.

"It lies on the river Rhine in northern Germany and is only five hours by plane and car from Salisbury."

Herr Ritter and his wife are frequent visitors to Britain and he is a member of the National Trust and English Heritage.

He said: "My wife and I love coming to Salisbury. We know you are already twinned with Saintes and so are we.

"We have Roman archaeology, a regional museum and I can foresee strong sporting and cultural links."

Herr Ritter said the European Union gives grants to help form links involving three towns in different countries and he said there is a lot of support in Xanten for twinning with Salisbury.

Herr Ritter is a psychologist and therapist and his wife is a medical doctor. Their 13-year-old son attends a grammar school and their daughter a primary school.

Deputy mayor Mr Paisey who is due to become mayor of Salisbury in June, said he would give the city's Charter Trustees details of the idea at their next meeting and he hopes for their support.

He said: "The way forward now, I think, is to arrange a public meeting to gauge the support of Salisbury residents for this idea.

"I think we should involve South Wilts Grammar School, which has had links with German schools for many years."

Meetings are also being planned in Xanten and Mr Cardy is maintaining contact with Herr Ritter as a co-ordinator between the two towns.

Salisbury officially twinned with Saintes in 1990 and the two communities enjoy many cultural exchanges.

The link is overseen by the Salisbury/Saintes Twinning Association and does not involve financial input from Salisbury district council.

Mr Paisey said if the twinning with Xanten goes forward, it also will be run by a committee.

Anyone interested in more information can contact Mr Cardy by e-mail on kevanjan@cardy23.freeserve.co.uk or telephone on 01722 339791.

Mayor pledges support for European triad

MAYOR of Salisbury Councillor Jeremy Nettle is in favour of Salisbury twinning with Xanten.

He told the Journal: "I have met the mayor previously, as Xanten is one of six cities twinned with Saintes.

"I would strongly recommend this triad of Xanten, Salisbury and Saintes. Like Salisbury, Xanten is a beautiful cathedral and market city."

It is said that the twin towers of St Victor's Cathedral, built in the 16th Century, can be seen from whatever direction you arrive in Xanten, similar to Salisbury. The busy market square is in the centre. Many people may see twinning as just a name plate that they see when approaching our city. However, the reality is that twinning opens all kinds of opportunities for sport, cultural, educational and business exchanges. Who knows, we could even see a German Christmas market coming to Salisbury."

The mayor said the visit by Herr Ritter was a strong indication from Xanten of their wish to twin with Salisbury.