MALVERN’S mayor has recently paid a visit to his Czech counterpart in the town of Marianske Lazne to honour the two towns’ community partnership.
Mayor, Coun Clive Hooper joined Mayor Martin Huračík during the annual opening of the spa season in the Czech Republic.
The pair enjoyed a gala concert from the West Bohemian Symphony Orchestra followed by a dedication service conducted by Abbot Lobkowicz of Tepla Monastery and an official lunch.
This was followed by visits to other historic and beautiful Bohemian towns within the Marianske Lazne U.N.E.S.C.O. World Heritage Site area where the two observed tourism developments.
Marianske Lazne is one of eleven European Spa U.N.E.S.C.O. World Heritage Sites, thought by many to be the most beautiful, with a spa tradition of over 200 years.
Czech scientist and frequent visitor to Malvern, Dr. Petr Somol was delighted to join the pair and take receipt of two books with Malvern themes from Coun Hooper.
Most Secret – Boffins come to Malvern, published by the Malvern Radar and Technology History Society, was the first title. Its a lavishly illustrated story of the development of radar during WWII and later inventions.
Inspiring outside the box, the second gifted title, is Dr. Adrian Burden’s account of the Malvern Festival of Innovation and the importance of developing new ideas.
Dr. Somol, a former research associate at Cambridge University worked closely with the Defence and Evaluation Research Agency in Malvern and maintains his interests in the history and future of science and technology.
Dr. Somol has given entertaining talks during the Malvern Civic Society’s event in previous years.
The books were presented at The Royal Golf Club Marianske Lazne, in front of the memorial to King Edward VII, who founded the club in 1905.
In 2002 the club was given its ‘Royal’ title by consent of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II whose portrait hangs in the club restaurant along with that of King Edward VII.
At the end of June 2024, the Czech town’s Fontana Choir will be visiting Malvern following memorable visits of The Hills Singers to Marianske Lazne in 2018 and the Czech Children’s Canzona Choir and Recorder Quartet visit to Malvern in 2015.
