Guernsey Newsletter, April 2013
Dear Friends,
As usual at around this time of year I would like to let you know about the GFBA activities over the past 12 months.
At the same time I would like to invite you all to come to our AGM on 23rd April 2013 which will take place at 12 o’clock at the Peninsula Hotel.
Former Deportees’ Visit to Biberach
This year the Deportees remembered the 70th anniversary of the deportation. To mark the occasion a group of former deportees, family members and friends - 17 people in all -responded to the Mayor Herr Fettback’s invitation and visited Biberach once more, from 13th to 18th June 2012. They enjoyed a memorable trip with a full programme of visits such as a guided tour around Biberach, visit to the former Camp and guided tour of the Police Training School there, a trip by steam train to Ochsenhausen, a visit to Bad Wurzach, where the deportees from Jersey had stayed. The group also attended a concert with the St Martin’s Boys Choir who have been to Guernsey on a number of occasions, and of course visited the 2 cemeteries in Biberach where those who died in captivity are buried.
Young Ambassadors’ Visit to Biberach
Another highlight had been the Young Ambassadors’ visit to Biberach, which took place during the October Half Term holiday. Organised by Ken Wheeler with sponsorship from the Deutsche Bank eight youngsters from the local Secondary Schools were selected to visit Biberach and learn about the historic background to our link.
Ken Wheeler reports on some of the activities during the trip:
“Sunday morning was spent in Biberach with an excellent and very informative tour in English. The students listened well and showed real interest in the history of the town. The formal meeting with the Mayor in the Rathaus was well received. The afternoon tour of the countryside around Biberach took in sites of historic and cultural interest. Monday morning provided us all with an excellent opportunity to meet German students in their schools. The experiences of the students in two different schools led to interesting feedback. All the ambassadors made a real impact in the schools they visited, talking about Guernsey and their schools. Lots of German students were eager to exchange details and there was a lot of traffic on Face-Book between new-found friends.
Wednesday was our morning at the market, where a stand had been set up for us and the ambassadors encouraged potential visitors to Guernsey. The tourist materials which Commerce and Employment had sent were distributed to interested passers-by.”
As all the Ambassadors reported on their visit to Biberach during Assemblies at their schools, very many more people are now aware of our special links with Biberach.
We are hoping that we will be able to get sponsorship again in the near future to be able to repeat this kind of trip.
Biberach Choir and Choral Society Concerts
This year we are looking forward to a choir’s visit from Biberach for Liberation Day, from 8th to 13th May. They will be staying at Les Cotils and will be joining our Choral Society for a concert at St James on Saturday, 11th May at 8.00 pm. I hope you will all make an effort to come to the concert.
During the Schuetzenfest Week 10th to 17th July 2013 40 to 50 members of the Choral Society will visit Biberach and take part in a concert there.
German Language Course for Youngsters in Biberach
As every year there will be a week’s German course in Biberach from 6th to 14th July for young people from 18 upwards. Younger students would also be welcome, as long as they have parental permission. The young people live in guest families and have about 25 hours of German lessons together with students from Biberach’s other partner towns. The course and accommodation is free, so the cost of travel and pocket money would be the only expense. Do get in touch with me if you know of someone who would be interested. You can also register directly by e-mailing Sabine Engelhardt on S. [email protected] by the 10th of June at the latest.
German Language Course for Adults in Biberach
From 3rd to 8th September there will be a similar course for adults, with lessons on three mornings and organised trips in the afternoons and the other days. Do get in touch with me if you are interested, or contact Sabine Engelhardt directly by 28th June at the latest. People would be accommodated in guest families. The charge for meals and excursions is 120 Euros.
As every year, our AGM will be followed by the Guernsey Deportees’ Association’s annual
St George’s Day Luncheon at 13.00. Please telephone Tom Remfrey on 254185 if you would like to come to that.
I am looking forward to seeing you on 23rd April either at our AGM or at the GDA’s luncheon.
With best wishes,
Irene Harvey
Secretary, GFBA
