At the end of June we were delighted to host some 80 members of the Youth Choir of Brunswick Cathedral.  The choir was on a tour of southern England, culminating in a concert in Coventry Cathedral, but while they were in Bath we were able to offer them our traditional hospitality, including a civic reception with the Mayor of Bath, Cllr Michelle O’ Doherty, who led a lively question and answer session with the choir members. On the Saturday evening the choir took part in a bilingual Evensong at Bath Abbey, together with the Abbey Girls and the Lay Clerks.  This was followed by a recital of works on the theme of “Light”, at the end of which the choir left the Abbey by the great west door and gave an impromptu performance to members of the public in Abbey Churchyard.  Those present agreed this was a wonderful occasion. The photo shows the choir in Brunswick Cathedral, standing in front of the famous 12th century...

Observant members of the public may have wondered why the German flag was flying in Bath recently.  It marked the official visit of Dr Thorsten Kornblum, the Lord Mayor of Brunswick.  This was the first such visit for over ten years, and Dr Kornblum was hosted by the Mayor of Bath, Cllr Dine Romero, in celebration of over fifty years of official twinning links between our two cities, links which have seen many generations of Bath residents visit their Brunswick friends. Dr Kornblum was accompanied by some of Brunswick’s councillors, the president of the Technical University, and by representatives of the Chamber of Crafts, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with the aim of fostering academic and commercial links between our two cities.  The photos show our guests and members of the public at a Civic Reception in the Guildhall, and our guests visiting Bath Spa University. Dr Kornblum and Professor Ittel, President of the Technische Universität, also had the opportunity to meet members of the public at an event hosted by Bath German Society at BRLSI. We all look forward to our next visitors from Brunswick in June, when the Cathedral Youth Choir will perform in Bath...

November and December saw the Bath Christmas Market again, attracting nearly half a million visitors.  Our Twinning Association was represented, selling various products from Brunswick, as well as handing out information about our twin city.  It was very rewarding to talk to so many members of the public with a link to Germany, and even to Brunswick itself.  On the 6th December, St Nicholas Day, the Mayor of Bath welcomed members of Bath German Society and the Ukele band- Uke Can’t Be Serious – to sing German carols and entertain the public.  Our thanks to everyone who participated in the...