THE mayor of Chard has returned to the UK after a successful six day mayoral visit to Eastern Europe.

Councillor Dave Bulmer was invited by Dawn and Andy Fletcher of Project Romania to visit Seica Mare in the country as part of the twin-town relationship.

The community has been twinned with Chard for eight years, and the Project Romania charity have been working there for 25 years. The project was started by Chard Churches Together in 1994, and the charity is run by trustees from the various churches in the town.

Cllr Bulmer, who was elected as mayor for a second year at the Chard Annual Town Council meeting on Monday evening, said: “From my point of view, This twinning with Seica Mare shows how well we get on and can work together as a team.

“This is all about bridge building between our two communities, from either end of Europe.

“I hope the Seica Mare mayor and deputy mayor will come to England again this summer. A few years ago the then mayor of Chard welcomed a team from here who delighted us all with their absolutely wonderful dances in traditional costume. The people of Chard loved the visit.

“I appreciate very much the work done by Andy and Dawn to improve lives and provide amenities for Seica Mare that benefit many Romanian people.”

Project Romania has financed the Rainbow Centre of Hope in Buia, one of Seica Mare’s six villages, which has been a kindergarten for more than a decade.

On Saturday, the mayors of Chard and the mayor of Seica Mare planted an oak tree to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday.

On Sunday, the party were guests of honour at a concert where the local children danced in traditional costume.

On Monday they visited the poorest village and the baker for the Bread4Buia programme, which distributes free bread amongst the poorest villages in the area. After meeting the baker, the mayor and his party went on to visited the schools to see the freshly made bread being given out to the children.

On the Tuesday, the mayoral party were welcomed at the senior school in the traditional manner with bread and salt, and the mayor was able to discussed school exchanges.

Dawn Fletcher of Project Romania said: “We’ve not been able to invest anything in this centre at Buia since 2013 because the lease has expired and the building is no longer at our disposal. The lease needs to be renewed so that we can run the centre again.

“We expect to improve the accommodation so that at least 24 people can stay here at one time. It is an amazing place with wonderful conditions.”

Project Romania’s AGM is being held on June 3 at the Parish Church of St Mary's, Chard, from 7pm.