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Members of the St Helier / Bad Wurzach Partnerschaft were among many organisations and groups who gathered at the Lighthouse Memorial outside the Occupation Tapestry Gallery to remember those who were deported to Germany and who did not return.
Earlier a short ceremony was held inside the Occupation Gallery to hear Smajo Beso – a survivor of the Bosnian Genocide – speak about his family’s experiences in Bosnia and his subsequent life as a refugee in England. His mother encouraged him never to feel bitterness and hatred but to ensure his family’s story should be told “If we wish to make peace between people we should first make peace with the personal traumas we have … all people should be able to tell their stories” After readings given by members of the Arts Centre Youth Theatre, the Rev Mike Keirle, Dean of Jersey lit a candle and conclude by saying “Friends, we have to learn from this if we are going to have a better future, and that learning must begin with every single one of us.”
Wreaths were then laid on behalf of the Island, the Crown and the Parish , followed by the laying of many tributes. Lola Garvin laid a wreath on behalf of those Islanders, deprted to Bad Wurzach in 1942 who did not return to Jersey.
A special get-together for former internees, Partnerschaft Committee members and friends of the Committee was organised at the Radisson Hotel on 22 September 2023. Sadly, we were unable to hold our commemoration ceremony at the Deportation plaque on the Albert Quay this year for logistical reasons but the traditional tea party was still held and offered a friendly catch-up opportunity for the 24 guests and committee members.
Afternoon Tea September 2023
The Partnerschaft recently hosted a visit of a Brass Band from Bad Wurzach who were here to participate in both the afternoon and evening events of the Battle of Flowers. They are a talented and enthusiastic group who seemed to enjoy marching and playing in both events despite the very heavy rain on Friday. It did not seem to dampen their spirits or their playing and the crowds who saw them were very appreciative.
They arrived on the Wednesday evening to be met by members of the Partnerschaft and other friends who accompanied them to the Hostel at Haut de la Garenne where they stayed for their visit. The hostel was ideal for them, being close to Gorey and they enjoyed spending their free time there. On the Thursday members of the Partnerschaft me them for a visit to some of the places of interest on the Eastern side of the Island. They particularly liked St Catherine’s Breakwater and swimming and sunbathing at Rozel , where they spent most of the day before enjoying an evening Barbecue at Gorey. On Friday they entertained visitors and locals outside the Parish Hall busking at St Aubins, where friends and members joined them for a sandwich lunch. Unfortunately the weather was not ideal for marching in the Parade later on. On the Saturday they were invited to play at the VinD’Honneur at the Town Hall before busking outside Marks and Spencers in King St. Their skill and enthusiasm was very infectious and everyone who heard them were very appreciative and generous – the group raised a tidy sum to help cover their expenses. Luckily the Moonlight Parade was dry!
The partnerschaft members and friends met up with them again on the Sunday for a tour of the West coast stopping at Corbiere and walking out on the causeway to the Lighthouse. The visit ended with a most enjoyable lunch at Jersey Pearl who catered for us admirably.
We are very grateful to the Parish of St Martin who supported the visit, the Parish of St Brelade who made the Parish Hall available for us to use for lunch on Friday and the Parish of St Helier for inviting the Band to the Vin D’Honneur. We are also very grateful to Andrew Thomson who was instrumental in organising their visit.
Bad Wurzach Visiting Bad August 2023
Visit to Jersey from Bad Wurzach Partnerscaft committee.
It was with great pleasure that the St Helier/ Bad Wurzach Partnerschaft recently hosted a visit to the Island from our German counterparts. It was so good to see them again and be able to return the excellent hospitality we had received when we visited Bad Wurzach last September. It was also a return visit for the Mayor of Bad Wurzach Alexandra Scherer who came last June for the late Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations . We welcomed 5 members of the Bad Wurzach Partnerschaft , from Germany who joined in with our celebrations of King Charles ‘ Coronation on May 6th and the Island’s Liberation on May 9th.Although the weather over the long weekend could have been kinder, it did not seem to spoil our visitors’ enjoyment of all the official and unofficial events and activities they attended.
On Saturday morning they were able to watch the Coronation Ceremony which was screened live in the Town Hall and also attend the Liberation Day celebrations and re – enactments in Liberation Square on May 9th. In between our guests visited some of the beauty spots and historic sites around the Island and also enjoyed meals in local restaurants sampling the Indian and Thai cuisines. On Monday 8th there was a very special discussion forum called “How We Remember”. Held in the Town Hall and hosted by the external relations minister Philip Ozouf . Led by Dr Gilly Carr, an expert on the Second World War , it focused on the various ways we have commemorated and recorded events of the past, in particular the Second World War and the Holocaust. Frau Scherer was included on the panel of speakers as was the German Ambassador to the UK and the Mayor of Dorsten. A town in Northern Germany , during World War 2 Dorsten had a transit camp for deportees , through which some of our Islanders travelled in 1942 on their way to Bad Wurzach. The main thrust of many of the speakers including Frau Scherer was the importance of reconciliation and education. She emphasised how important our Partnerschaft has been in forging links between us . In the afternoon some of our older members and deportees were able to meet with Frau Scherer and our visitors while enjoying afternoon tea . Our 5 guests were presented with a gift bag each containing local Genuine Jersey products. On the afternoon of Liberation Day Frau Scherer, the German Ambassador and the Mayor of Dorsten all laid wreaths at the German Soldiers’ memorial at St Brelade’s Church before attending the Slave Workers’ wreath laying ceremony at Westmount.
While it was a very full and active 4 days it was a very enjoyable time and we look forward to their Youth Band’s visit for the Battle of flowers and other future events .
78th Internee Liberation Celebration Jersey War Tunnels
We were so lucky to have such settled weather to hold our service of commemoration and remembrance . It is always held on the Sunday nearest to April 28th the day the camp was liberated by the Free French in 1945. Altogether there were 54 of us including former internees, their families and friends, members of the partnerschaft and of the Arts Centre youth theatre. The ceremony began with our chairman, Clive Armstrong , welcoming everyone, then 3 members of the youth theatre read selections of poetry and prose. Lola Garvin (a former internee) read from the late Michael Shepherd’s published Memories of April 1945 Liberation in Wurzach Camp. A short service of prayers was led by Father Nick Barry from St Luke’s Church. Clive Armstrong then read the remembrance list of those who are buried in Wurzach Cemetery and did not return to Jersey and the ceremony concluded with a minute’s silence.
Those who wished to could then visit the garden of remembrance and lay red roses on the memorial plaques to those who did not return. Red roses were also given to former internees. We all adjourned to the café to reminisce and meet our friends over excellent cake and afternoon tea. It was so heartening to see so many people meeting together again after the past years of uncertainty due to Covid. We are very grateful to the staff at the War Tunnels for allowing us to hold our ceremony there and for providing excellent refreshments. They are always welcoming and very accommodating.
