Hameln in Germany
Torbay has been officially twinned with the 'Pied Piper' town of Hameln in Germany since  7th January, 1973.

The famous town of the Pied Piper legend is situated about 50 km south west of Hanover, the state capital of Lower Saxony in the North of the Federal Republic of Germany. As well as the German name "Hameln" the town is also known as "Hamelin" and "Hamlin" to the English speaking world.

Hameln, situated on the river Weser in the centre of the Weserbergland (Weser Hill Country), is economically important and a tourist attraction. This hilly region extends on both sides of the river Weser from its source (where the rivers Fulda and Werra meet) from the town of Hannoversch Münden down to the region of Minden.

The Pied Piper's town has about 60,000 inhabitants, about 1/3 of whom live in the 13 associated boroughs.

Main attractions are Hamelin´s historic town centre with its numerous houses built in the Weser Renaissance style, the open-air-play of the Pied Piper´s legend and the musical "RATS" on the terrace of the "Hochzeitshaus".

Hellevoetsluis In The Netherlands
Torbay has also been officially twinned with the Dutch town of Hellevoetsluis in The Netherlands commencing on 1st December, 1989.

In the 14th century, after the embankment of the polder Nieuw Helvoet, a small area outside the dikes arose: Weergors. Here arose a scupper, around which in time developed a harbour with trade activities. In the 16th century a sluice was constructed into the dike: Hellevoetsluit (the sluice of Hellevoet). At the end of the 16th century a mole and a repairing yard were constructed. After that, Hellevoetsluis developed into a fortress and important sea port in the course of the 17th century. The fortified sea port was part of the same defence line as the town Brielle and was the home base of the fleets of Michiel Adriaansz. de Ruyter and Maarten Harpertsz. Tromp.

In the 19th century all trade traffic to Rotterdam passed by the sluice through the canal of Voorne. After the construction of the NieuweWaterweg (new waterway) the role of Hellevoetsluis was limited to important navy base. The fortifications nowadays are monuments and you can walk all the way round on top of them. Inside are sociable cafes and restaurants.

Over the many years  there have been numerous exchange visits with our twin towns between various groups, organisations and individuals.