The birds had some stiff competition in May when the Pevke iz Brinjeve Gore came to visit. There was hardly a corner of Sedbergh where the five women singers from Zrece coudln't be heard singing their delightful arrangements of traditional Slovene folk songs.

Not just a fabulous concert with a Northumberland male voice choir called "Voice Male" in the People's Hall, and two other concerts a bit further away over-looknig the sea in Heysham and amongst the mountains of Ambleside

But also many smaller performances in places which included the Quaker Meeting house on Sunday, a Saturday lunchtime promenade performance singing outside the Tourist Information Centre with several other choirs, as well as in the Library, the Church and on the stairs inside Westwood Books

And on Monday for the children at the Primary School where they sang a couple of songs, taught the children a Slovene round and then enjoyed hearing the children sing back to them in English

What I particularly liked about this visit was the way the English singers joined in with ease and enthusiasm learning the Slovene songs - and the Slovene singers who spoke little or no English also joining in the singing of English folk songs, with some very rousing renditions in the Bull after the concert. Which only goes to show that it is not that Slovene is a difficult language - it is only the belief that it is difficult which prevents people from having the pleasure of speaking and singing this beautiful language

Of course the language barrier was mostly helped by the presence of Zdenka Kejsar from the Zrece tourist office who tirelessly provided translation between the English and Slovenes. Such is her skill that she was even able to translate the ministering of Quakers during their Meeting without disturbing the silence. And she was especially welcome at the concerts where the audience were able to hear what the songs were about and also hear about customs and traditions in Zrece today. A big thankyou from all of us, Zdenka

Just to make sure there weren't any lingering outposts where the Slovene singers hadn't been heard, they joined a walk with all the English singers through the bluebells and spring woods singing by the bridges over the Rawthey and Dee, outside Margaret Millburn's garden in Millthrop, on top of Frostrow Fell, and then outside Dorcas and Richard Thomas' house at Briks where the group had refreshments and sang Kolko Kaplic - "May God grant you as many years in your life as there are drops of wine in the glass" - in remembrance of Dorcas' father who was 111 before he died

Howgills Harmony paid for their flights and accommodation at the Howgills Bunk Barn - and then recovered their costs through the sale of tickets and a kind donation from the Cumbria Community Foundation. The three extra nights' accommodation were kindly provided by our singer Dr Clare Mingins, who also treated them to the delights of full English breakfast. Luzia Marquart once again provided vast mouth watering meals for all the hungry singers

The Town Twinning Committee were also instrumental in making the visit a success. David Collier helped with the posters; Garth Steadman, Susan Garnet and George Handley kindly helped with the driving to and from concerts and Blackpool airport - and all three also invited them into their homes for award winning meat on the Bar B Q , midday luncheon, and a champagne reception when the singers made a surprise visit to Hylands: George opened his front door to find the singers celebrating his 70'th birthday with a Slovenian song - and their wonderful birthday presence

Despite only being here for four full days the singers were invited to visit eight homes around Sedbergh - perhaps the most spectacular being Roger and Judith Bush's house high above the Cautley valley where the group spent an evening singing with the Cautley Carollers

But it was with difficultly that they were able to open their eyes and take in the views as Roger drove us up the very rough track to Fawcett Bank - these were tightly closed to avoid having to see the gaping chasm below the track down to the boiling waters of the River Rawthey

Monring coffee with the singers round the fire at Smithy Cottage was helped by my four month old baby Anika. I always thought that music was the only international language but I now realise that babies are an even more universal language. Not only can Anika say "goo goo goo" and "Gurr gurr" in most European tongues, she also delights in cuddles, kisses and smiles in any language

On the fnal afternoon  the group went into the Lake Dsitrict and after a short walk around Loughrigg Tarn with the Langdale Pikes towering into the May sunshine, the singers went for high tea in a National Trust cottage by the lake hosted by the singer Gillian Kelly in her garden

Their last singing event was in the new Ambleside Parish Centre where a vast circular window looks out over the hills. As the light faded and the sun slipped behind Loughrigg Fell our Slovene friends asked us to dim the lights, and along with some of the English singers they sang Vecernica - the Evening song: "Glejte ze solnce zahaja skoraj za goro bo slo" - See the sun is setting over the distant mountains, and: "Pojd'mo veselo domo" - let us go joyfully home.

They came as guests but they left as friends. Many thanks to everyone who helped make their visit memorable, and who helped to maintain and strengthen the bonds of friendship and camaraderie between our two towns.

David Burbidge