Droitwich Spa Twinning Association DROITWICH SPA GERMAN TWINNING GROUP AUTUMN Welcome to the Autumn edition of the newsletter.

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1 Droitwich Spa Twinning Association DROITWICH SPA GERMAN TWINNING GROUP BAD EMS AUTUMN 2012 DROITWICH SPA Welcome to the Autumn edition of the newsletter. The main news from the last few months is of successful visit made by the Judo Club, and the re-establishment of exchanges between the Droitwich High School and the Goethe Gymnasium in Bad Ems. We have some news from Graham and Eileen Hope, and of the wedding of Beate and Achim Scherer in Germany. Our next events are the coach trip to Cambridge in October, and the AGM in November. We look forward to seeing you at these events. The food selection at the Garden Party. Droitwich Spa German Twinning Group page 1 AUTUMN 2012

2 Coach Day Trip to Cambridge Saturday 27th October, leaving the Raven Hotel at 08:00. Cost 15 Open to non-members Please contact Steve Harper (not Adrienne this time) to book your place Tel: AGM Don t forget our AGM will be held on Thursday 22nd November, at the Sacred Heart Hall. German Conversation Group We have had an inquiry about whether there is any interest in setting up a German Conversation Group. This would be for beginners as well as those who can already speak some German. If you are interested, then please let me know. Will Owens. Telephone: wg.owens@btinternet.com Next Newsletter Many Thanks to everyone who contributed to this newsletter. If you have any twinning articles or photographs for the next newsletter please send them to: droit_twin_pub@btinternet.com Any items sent by for the newsletter will be acknowledged by . Hand written articles and printed photographs also welcome ring Penny or Will on Items must reach us by Friday 30th November for inclusion in the next newsletter, due out in the Winter. Penny and Will Owens Don t forget our web site - Droitwich Spa German Twinning Group page 2 AUTUMN 2012

3 Garden Party This year s Garden Party was held later than usual on Sunday 9 th September at the house of Jenny and Peter Leonard. After the wet summer, we were lucky that the day was sunny and warm, although there was a strong breeze that caused problems with some sun umbrellas. Adrienne receives her flowers from Jenny. A wonderful selection of food was provided, and everyone had plenty to eat, with many of us going back for seconds. Linda Hayward s daughter, Zoë, had provided several desserts, including a delicious Sticky Toffee cheesecake. After the meal, Jenny Leonard gave a short speech of thanks to all those who had done such a good job preparing the food. There was the usual raffle, with many prizes being won. There was a funny Photo competition, which was won by a picture of Steve Harper entitled Birthday Boy in his Birthday Suit. Adrienne Sale was celebrating a special birthday, and was presented with a wonderful flower arrangement by Jenny Leonard, and everyone sang Happy Birthday. The time seemed to go very quickly, and soon it was time to say goodbye. All in all, it was another very successful event, and our thanks go to all those involved with the organization, preparation and execution of the event. Special thanks go to Jenny and Peter Leonard for hosting the event in their beautiful garden. The winning entry in the photo competition. Droitwich Spa German Twinning Group page 3 AUTUMN 2012

4 Spa Judo Visit from Twin Town. The strength of the Town s twinning links were in evidence when 55 members of Bad Ems Judo Club visited Droitwich Spa for a two week stay. Nearly all of the visitors stayed at Amphlett House and chose to bed down on judo mats provided by their opposite numbers at Droitwich Judo Kan. In a busy programme they visited Worcester, Birmingham, RAF Cosford, the Black Country Museum and Alton Towers. In between visits they spent time in the Town, enjoying judo, football, swimming in the Lido and performing their own concert. And, whilst many locals struggled to obtain Olympics tickets, the group were rather more fortunate, with all of them managing to see Olympic judo sessions with tickets from the German Judo Federation. Another highlight of their stay was a visit to Amphlett House by Mayor, Councillor Anne Taft, who answered their questions about the role of the Mayor and about the town and life in the area. The Club s organiser, Carl Eschenauer hailed the visit a great success and praised the German Twinning Group, the Methodist Church, as well as Droitwich Judo Kan for their help and support. It is hoped that the two Judo Clubs can meet again in Bad Ems next year. Peter Field. Droitwich Spa German Twinning Group page 4 AUTUMN 2012

5 Bournville Beckons Bad Ems Students. Eighteen students from the Goethe Gymnasium in Bad Ems visited the famous chocolate factory in a garden last Friday. The students were on a week-long exchange visit with youngsters from Droitwich Spa High School, who will be paying the return visit to Germany in October. Our students are very happy with their families, Martin, their teacher told us. They have been made very welcome in Droitwich. The activities of the week include spending a day in school, attending normal lessons, a trip to Stratford to see the Shakespeare birthplace and the re-designed theatre, and a joint visit with the High School students to The Black Country Museum, where they could see evidence of Britain s industrial past. The exchange visits have been re-started thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of staff in the language department at the High School, and in particular the efforts of Head of German, Jo Vicary. DSHS is twinned directly with the Goethe Gymnasium in Bad Ems and is also a group member of Droitwich Spa German Twinning Group, whose Chairman, Jenny Leonard and her husband, Peter, accompanied the students to the Bournville factory. DSGTG is so pleased that exchange visits have started again, said Jenny. Bad Ems is a beautiful town and we have many friends there. It s a marvellous opportunity for both sets of youngsters to make friends, practise their language skills and find out about each other s culture. Judging by how quickly the samples of chocolate disappeared, the visit to Cadbury s was a great success, too. Droitwich Spa German Twinning Group page 5 AUTUMN 2012

6 Rolf And Betty Finselbach Continue Twinning North Of The Border Since we left Droitwich Eileen and I have passed Rolf and Betty into the tender care of Adrienne and Tony Sale and after the Twinning Weekend in Droitwich Adrienne and Tony packed them onto a plane at Birmingham airport to fly up to Inverness. By all accounts the Twinning Weekend had gone down well although the weather could have been better and Rolf and Betty had awarded Adrienne and Tony 10 Brownie points and a gold star in the hosting arena. We picked them up at Inverness and although only small (if they have more than 6 flights in and 4 out in a day they think it must be someone s birthday) the airport is at the cutting edge of airport technology (so they say!!). However the luggage off the plane was coming out on a variety of whirligigs which involved a chase from room to room to retrieve cases. This finally done we welcomed them to Scotland and set off to enjoy a few days twinning in Grantown on Spey. Whilst the weather was distinctly chilly even for Scotland throughout their stay at least it was mostly dry and sunny. We enjoyed days out to Blair Castle, Balmoral and Loch Ness. Blair Castle is owned by the Duke of Atholl who is the only person in Europe entitled to have a private army, the Atholl Highlanders, (a right granted by Queen Victoria) this was of interest to Rolf who had a career in the German army. The castle is rather splendid the exhibition rooms are very informative and very well maintained - all with a wealth of furniture, dress and all manner of military and combat equipment - the whole is well worth a visit - it could be put down as a Droitwich Twinning day trip option - it is only a mere 400 miles from Droitwich!! Rolf wanted to know if Blair Castle was one of Tony and Cherie s homes!! Droitwich Spa German Twinning Group page 6 AUTUMN 2012

7 Balmoral is more sedate and peaceful (we did not see the Queen she was otherwise engaged perhaps taking the corgis on a long walk) and in a magnificent setting. The castle can only be viewed from outside with the exception of the Ballroom but the gardens including mega kitchen gardens for vegetable and flower supplies to the castle and visitor cafe and the outside buildings are immaculate and well maintained. All visitors wander along a pre-defined walk with look-a-like mobiles stuck to their ears providing commentary in any number of different languages. Loch Ness is a completely different kettle of fish. Whilst the scenery is of course attractive there is a Loch Ness Monster Exhibition which attempts to persuade you to believe that there is a monster and it is only time before it will be caught and duly placed in an aquarium for all to see. In between times as usual we ate a lot and drank a lot and had lots of fascinating conversations about such diverse topics ranging from haggis to the euro problems and bagpipes. I expect you all know that Germany has a bagpipe called a Dudelsack but of course it only has two drones and one chanter!! As regards the euro problem if it was left to twinners from Bad Ems and Droitwich it would be resolved in a flash especially after a couple of glasses of wine. Alas all good things come to an end and we bid farewell a few days later the return leg is due in August when we fly to Germany stay with Rolf and Betty. Very best wishes to all Droitwich Twinners Regards Graham & Eileen Hope Droitwich Spa German Twinning Group page 7 AUTUMN 2012

8 Wedding of Beate & Achim Scherer, 20 th July Best known as the coach drivers when our German friends come to visit us, Beate and Achim were recently married. Below is an received from them after their wedding. Hello, Friends Many thanks for the greetings and presents to our wedding about we have been glad very much. The wedding was wonderful. Here are some photos on our web page: Take this link - Tomorrow we start our honeymoon. 2 weeks in Droitwich (By the Judo club) We please to see some friends in Droitwich, Love Beate & Achim Printed by Kopy Kats of Droitwich Droitwich Spa German Twinning Group page 8 AUTUMN 2012