Bath – Braunschweig Twinning Association Newsletter No 3 August 2015 In This Issue Monthly meetings BBTA AGM Footprint Appeal BBTA Annual Dinner Book from Braunschweig Petanque in Bath What’s on in Braunschweig Stammtisch 40 years ago…. Did you know? Individual exchanges Monthly meetings are held in the Mayor’s Parlour in the Guildhall in Bath Next meetings: Friday 11 Sep 2 pm Friday 2 Oct 2 pm Friday 6 Nov 2 pm To join, contact: Hilary Elms, Secretary BBTA 208, Old Frome Rd BATH BA2 5RH 01225 837790 h.elms412@btinternet.com Quick Links www.bath-braunschweigtwinningassociation.co.uk www.deg-bsjimdo.com www.bath-alkmaar-eu www.bath-kaposvar.org www.book-of-phd.com/BoPHD_screen.pdf www.mayorofbath.co.uk BBTA AGM Our AGM was held on 26 June 2015 in the Council Chamber and was attended by 13 members. Officers elected were: Chairman: Bryan Chalker Vice Chairman: Don Withers Treasurer: Tony Horstmann Secretary: Hilary Elms The Lambeth Walk After a seven day 140 mile walk from Bath to London four intrepid walkers arrive at Lambeth Palace to deliver by hand a letter to Archbishop Justin Welby inviting him to visit Bath to learn more about the Footprint Project for the restoration of Bath Abbey. BBTA committee member Jeremy Key-Pugh (hatless) is second from the left BBTA Annual Dinner 15 Oct 2015 at the Rising Sun Book from Braunschweig Our first “Book from Braunschweig”, entitled “Altes Land”, arrived in Bath at the end of July. The novel is the first work by Dörte Hansen, a native of Husum, and is set in the area of that name in Lower Saxony, bordering the Elbe and Hamburg. The region and its old farm houses are as much characters in the novel as are the people, who are described sympathetically, but without undue sentimentality. The central characters are Vera, who as a child survived the trek from Eastern Germany in 1945, and her niece Anne, who seeks refuge with her aunt after separating from her child’s father. The novel shows how change affects the lives of all in the community. The author’s use of dialect phrases reflects her own background and her interest in languages, and is used to great effect to define characters and the setting. “Altes Land” is now available on loan from Bath Central Library. Judy Spencer City of Bath Petanque Club 2015 Twinning Association Challenge 26 June 2015 Aix en Provence, Alkmaar, Braunschweig and Kaposvar Twinning Associations competed today. Peter of the BKTA winning team with the trophy. The Braunschweig team were in joint third place. What’s on in Braunschweig The weather this summer turns out to be very unreliable in Braunschweig. We had a very hot weekend with temperatures up to almost 40 degrees but only for a short time, followed by severe thunderstorms causing a lot of damage to cars, houses and trees. Anyway, people in Braunschweig are enjoying lots of summer events such as festivals, concerts and open-air festivities. We are happy that the numerous strikes (postmen, kindergarten teachers, train drivers) are over. Members of the DEG are looking forward to their visit to Bath participating in the Pétanque competition. Best wishes for everyone, good luck and a happy reunion of good friends. Katrin Landsmann (DEG) Stammtisch If you would like to practise your German in a friendly informal atmosphere over a ‘Kaffe und Kuchen’ come to the Stammtisch – every Wednesday throughout the year between midday and 1:00pm, in the upstairs room at Cafe Retro, 18 York Street, Bath (by Bog Island). 40 years ago ….. The Bath Society of Young Musicians, founded in the early seventies, gave their first concert led by David Lord in Braunschweig in 1976. I took over in 1978 and led the BSYM on three more exchange visits. Now known as the B&NES Society of Young Musicians it continues to thrive and rehearses every Saturday morning at Hayesfield School George Odam. Did you know? Der Braunschweiger Loewe According to legend, Henry Duke of Bavaria and Saxony, whilst on pilgrimage, came across a fight between a lion and a dragon. Henry helped the lion slay the dragon and the faithful lion accompanied Henry back home. After Henry’s death in 1195 the lion died of grief. The people of Braunschweig then erected a statue in the lion’s honour. A replica stands on the Burgplatzin front of the castle in the centre of the city. The original is in the castle. Individual Exchange visits: are you interested in visiting Braunschweig? perhaps staying with a family in Braunschweig? and maybe inviting them to stay with you in Bath? Contact Treve Erdmenger at the Deutsch-Englische Gesellschaft (DEG) Braunschweig (link above) Book of Plans, Hopes and Dreams This book is the work of 52 writers from Germany, the UK and beyond. They came together in 2014 to answer a call for contributions for work which would link people who lived in 1914 with those who might be alive in 2114. The book is now available at the Bath Central Library (see also website under quick links...