THE shared spa heritage of Malvern and its new Czech twin town of Marianske Lazne was celebrated during a visit to formally seal the partnership.

During their visit to sign the twinning arrangement between the towns, the delegation from the Czech Republic enjoyed a tour and an insight into Malvern’s water history from members of Malvern Spa Association.

“They were very interested in our Well Dressing as it was something they had not heard of before, even though Marianske Lazne is an active spa town,” said Malvern Spa Association chairman John Harcup.

The visitors were taken to the Holywell, where they had a chance to sample Malvern’s famous water at source, and before returning home the two groups exchanged bottles of Holywell Spring Water and Marianske Lazne Magnesia Water.

Elsewhere in the town, Mr Kral and Vladimir Kajlik visited the Malvern Museum – where they were escorted around the displays by museum chairman Cora Weaver.

She told them about the history of the town, Sir Edward Elgar, Morgan Motor Cars and the bottled spring water.

In advance of their Czech visitors, the museum had set up a special exhibition about their home town – which was formerly known as Marienbad. Copies of Mrs Weaver and Dr Bruce Osborne’s Celebrated Springs of the Malvern Hills and Aquae Malvernensis books were presented to the visitors.