CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR 2008/9
The year began with the Partnerschaft becoming a member of the Jersey Association of Charities. One of the main advantages is being able to advertise events under the J A C banner at no cost in the Jersey Evening Post.
In June 2008, the Jersey Arts Centre hosted and organised an excellent student exchange, which involved workshops, outings to Hamptonne, Mont Orgueil Castle, Maritime Museum. Most importantly the students were hosted with local families strengthening the links between our towns. Daniel Austin and his staff at the Arts Centre have been major contributors in supporting our common aims.
Our website is slowly taking shape, and thanks to committee member, Clive Armstrong, for ensuring that it is kept up to date with events, pictures and commentary. It is hoped that we can place links on the website to other sites of interest to our German speaking Jersey visitors.
In August 2008, the Schalmei Band came over to take part in the Battle of Flowers. The band was a huge success both at the Vin d’Honneur in the Town Hall and during the Battle. Short concerts were performed at Havre des Pas and in the Royal Square. Thanks to St Luke’s Church and Rev. Jones, we were able to house the band on camp beds supplied by the TA. John and Ruth Higgins organised the food and sincere thanks to them both for their valued and continued support.
Also in August, the Band of the Island of Jersey took part in the Bad Wurzach town festivities. They were warmly welcomed by the townspeople and looked resplendent in their uniforms.
The Partnerschaft Committee unanimously voted to fund a trophy for the Eisteddfod, which was to extend the modern language section. On 29th November 2008 some 17 children and adults took part in the German section and it is hoped that more participants will come forward this year
On 16th November, the Committee organised another Music and Memories afternoon at the Town Hall. Some 35 people attended, and enjoyed listening to Douglas Tanguy’s memories of his deportation. Following an excellent tea and raffle, guests enjoyed a music quiz.
On 29th November 2008, Gisela Rothenhuñusler’s book received the Baden Wurttemburg literature prize in Ulm; Mike and Josephine Ginns together with Angela Trigg were present at the official prize giving.
On December 12/13th we participated in the annual Fete de Noue in the Royal Square. The weather was truly awful but the atmosphere, both in our marquee and outside, made it all worthwhile. The German homemade sausages were a huge success and it was hoped that we could improve on these next year. Tourism went to considerable trouble to organise seating, heating and general entertainment plus keeping the area clean and tidy.
In April 2009 we were able to welcome the Bad Wurzach committee to Jersey for the first time. 10 members came over using the excellent services of Blue Islands direct from Zurich. The members all stayed at the Monaco Hotel in Parade Road, an ideal central location. Thanks to the efforts of Paula Thelwell, they were able to visit La Hougue Bie and Mont Orgueil Castle at no cost. We were able to use the minibus from St Ouen Community Centre and our thanks to Peter Pearce and Lawrence Armstrong for organising and driving our guests around the Island. An evening meal at the Milano Vecchia proved to be a great success. Thanks to our previous fundraising and the grant from the Parish of St Helier, we are now able to entertain our guests.
This year’s travel bursary of £100 went to Edward Bailhache; he was invited to play at the bi-annual May Organ concert in which 4 young members of the Bad Wurzach twinning towns are invited to play.
Another Bad Wurzach student, Rainer Petretti, has spent three months in Jersey working at the Town Hall in the Finance Dept. These young students are given the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and to improve their standard of English. Our grateful thanks to the staff at the Town Hall for their continuing support.
A group of 25 former internees, their family and Committee members went to Bad Wurzach in April to commemorate the 64th Liberation Day. A major bonus of this visit was being able to fly directly to Zurich a lot less hassle! As always, Rudi and Gretel were there to meet us at Zurich Airport. The outing to Schmidsfelden was superb especially as the weather revealed the Alps as we drove through the magnificent countryside. Sadly the weather turned rather wet for our service at the Cemetery but this did not dampen the spirits of those who paid their respects to those who did not return.
I would like to close by thanking all the committee members who have worked so hard during yet another successful year.
Angela Trigg
Chairman
May 20th 2009 |
