Hildegard Maibaum
We are sorry to pass on the sad news of the passing of Hildegard Maibaum.
There are probably, in our club, many of our members who never met Hildegard, but she is the reason our club exists. She chaired the Doncaster Freundeskreis for many years before retiring.
At the time Doncaster and Herten signed the Partnership, it was at the suggestion of Hildegard that our Friendship Clubs were formed.
Her love of UK goes back a long time to her student days and has stayed with her all her life. She was a great believer in developing the friendships with UK, not only with our clubs but also through schools, local councils and Chamber of Commerce.
She was a very strong character who knew what was required and worked hard to make things work.
Our trips to Herten were always well organized and full on, hardly a minute to spare but extremely interesting.
So many good memories of past times, it was a shame illness took over her last few years. She deserved so much better.
She will be surely missed.
We are sorry to pass on the sad news of the passing of Hildegard Maibaum.
There are probably, in our club, many of our members who never met Hildegard, but she is the reason our club exists. She chaired the Doncaster Freundeskreis for many years before retiring.
At the time Doncaster and Herten signed the Partnership, it was at the suggestion of Hildegard that our Friendship Clubs were formed.
Her love of UK goes back a long time to her student days and has stayed with her all her life. She was a great believer in developing the friendships with UK, not only with our clubs but also through schools, local councils and Chamber of Commerce.
She was a very strong character who knew what was required and worked hard to make things work.
Our trips to Herten were always well organized and full on, hardly a minute to spare but extremely interesting.
So many good memories of past times, it was a shame illness took over her last few years. She deserved so much better.
She will be surely missed.
Thirty Years Since The Fall Of The Berlin Wall
A member has kindly sent the following link, which might be of interest to members:
https://nickbaines.wordpress.com/2019/11/09/the-fall-of-the-wall-2/
It is a blog from Nick Baines the Bishop of Leeds who is a passionate German speaker and visits there regularly as he co-chairs the Meissen Commission (official partnership between Anglican and Lutheran Church).
A member has kindly sent the following link, which might be of interest to members:
https://nickbaines.wordpress.com/2019/11/09/the-fall-of-the-wall-2/
It is a blog from Nick Baines the Bishop of Leeds who is a passionate German speaker and visits there regularly as he co-chairs the Meissen Commission (official partnership between Anglican and Lutheran Church).
Visit to Herten - September 2019
In spite of a low number of participants the visit to see our friends in Herten will take place from 25th September until 1st October (including overnight ferry travel each way). On the outward journey they will meet a group of our friends in Amsterdam,before travelling back to Herten with them in their coach.
On this occasion our members will be staying in the homes of members of the 'Doncaster Freundeskreis' and will be treated to a full programme of trips and visits during their stay, as well as enjoying the typical exceptional hospitality of their hosts.
In spite of a low number of participants the visit to see our friends in Herten will take place from 25th September until 1st October (including overnight ferry travel each way). On the outward journey they will meet a group of our friends in Amsterdam,before travelling back to Herten with them in their coach.
On this occasion our members will be staying in the homes of members of the 'Doncaster Freundeskreis' and will be treated to a full programme of trips and visits during their stay, as well as enjoying the typical exceptional hospitality of their hosts.
Visit of Members of the Doncaster Freundeskreis in Herten
It was wonderful to meet up again with our friends from the 'Doncaster Freundeskreis' in Herten, whilst they were in Doncaster on Monday 15th October 2018 after spending a few days in the North East.
On Tuesday they visited the Kelham Island museum and the Cutlers' Hall in Sheffield,had a very tasty evening meal at the Turkuaz restaurant in Doncaster. On the Wednesday they were given guided tours of the Mansion House, Christchurch and the Cast theatre in Doncaster and then on their last day had a short tour of Hull on their return journey.
We really enjoyed socialising with them, including our evening get together at the Ukrainian Centre, attended by both the civic and elected mayors!
We wish them a safe journey back home and very much look forward to seeing them all again!
On Tuesday they visited the Kelham Island museum and the Cutlers' Hall in Sheffield,had a very tasty evening meal at the Turkuaz restaurant in Doncaster. On the Wednesday they were given guided tours of the Mansion House, Christchurch and the Cast theatre in Doncaster and then on their last day had a short tour of Hull on their return journey.
We really enjoyed socialising with them, including our evening get together at the Ukrainian Centre, attended by both the civic and elected mayors!
We wish them a safe journey back home and very much look forward to seeing them all again!
Erich Klausener Schule Band
The Erich Klausener Schule Big Band from our twin town of Herten is scheduled to perform alongside the Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra at the Cast theatre in Doncaster on 6th July 2018.
Tickets are on sale now at the price of £14.00!
Tickets are on sale now at the price of £14.00!
Herten Visit, September 2016
As most of you should know from recent information, we were visited by a party from the Doncaster Freundeskreis, Herten, from 8th-11th September.
Twenty-four members were welcomed by our society at their hotel, the Holiday Inn Express, Wath-upon-Dearne. The coach arrived soon after 2pm and after a quick check in and freshen up we all joined them in their coach and travelled to Sheffield city centre.
After quick refreshments we were able to show them around the Winter Garden and the Peace Gardens. We went to show them the lobby to the Town Hall and were surprised to have a chance to see the council chamber, normally open only on special days.
The group then walked through the city centre to Kelham Island. On the way everyone was treated to choir practice in the Cathedral, a real bonus for everyone.
We all met at the Fat Cat Pub, next to Kelham Island museum, for an evening meal and to taste some of the good English real ales. The Herten group had booked a buffet for everyone in the outside gardens and paid for all our meals at the same time. It was nice to be able to sit down and catch up on the news with old friends and also meet and get to know new members.
Friday morning the party was taken to the Hepworth Gallery, Wakefield. The Germans do seem to like their art and culture, and the Gallery was a big hit with everyone.
We then moved on to Nostell Priory for lunch, then a visit around the house and gardens. The staff at the Priory were very helpful and surprised everyone when some of them began answering their questions in German. The British speak only English, don’t they?
That evening, we joined everyone for the evening meal at the Blue Bell Inn opposite their hotel. Once again it gave everyone a chance to get to know each other better. There is nothing like a good meal and drink to open everyone up.
Saturday’s programme took everyone to RHS Harlow Carr gardens. A fire alarm at breakfast caused about half an hour’s delay on arrival, but there was plenty of time to look around. There was also a beer and cider festival running to keep them well watered and the icing on the cake was an Oompah band playing, The Bavarian Blatters (from Barnsley I think). The last two hours in the afternoon they managed to squeeze in a quick tour around Harrogate town centre before returning to the hotel.
Saturday evening everyone was invited to the Ukrainian Centre for the final get together. Everyone was well fed and watered. A piece of acting on stage with both groups taking part caused much merriment, and it now seems every time we meet a rousing chorus of “On Ilkley Moor Baht ‘at” has to be sung.
Our Civic Mayor, David Nevitt and his wife Kathleen attended the evening. It was also good to see some past club members during the evening and a group of Germans on an Internship at the Deaf School were made very welcome. Coincidentally they were also from Herten.
Sunday morning a few of us managed to see the coach off and say our goodbyes.
As always, over the years, these reunions have always been successful. Many friends have been made over the 27 years the friendship clubs have been running. It is always great to meet up with old friends and also to get to know new members of each group. It is also a good time to get to know members of your own club, longer periods together on these visits will bring members closer together, something that the monthly meeting do not give enough chance to. It is also a great chance for people to try out their German and practice what they have learnt.
It was unfortunate the visit occurred in Leger Week. It also seemed a lot of members were away or had other commitments, so our numbers were small. However I think we put on a good programme for them and I would like to thank everyone who was involved for making their visit a success. It shows that whatever the political situation, our friendship will continue and we look forward to meeting them again next year in Germany.
Twenty-four members were welcomed by our society at their hotel, the Holiday Inn Express, Wath-upon-Dearne. The coach arrived soon after 2pm and after a quick check in and freshen up we all joined them in their coach and travelled to Sheffield city centre.
After quick refreshments we were able to show them around the Winter Garden and the Peace Gardens. We went to show them the lobby to the Town Hall and were surprised to have a chance to see the council chamber, normally open only on special days.
The group then walked through the city centre to Kelham Island. On the way everyone was treated to choir practice in the Cathedral, a real bonus for everyone.
We all met at the Fat Cat Pub, next to Kelham Island museum, for an evening meal and to taste some of the good English real ales. The Herten group had booked a buffet for everyone in the outside gardens and paid for all our meals at the same time. It was nice to be able to sit down and catch up on the news with old friends and also meet and get to know new members.
Friday morning the party was taken to the Hepworth Gallery, Wakefield. The Germans do seem to like their art and culture, and the Gallery was a big hit with everyone.
We then moved on to Nostell Priory for lunch, then a visit around the house and gardens. The staff at the Priory were very helpful and surprised everyone when some of them began answering their questions in German. The British speak only English, don’t they?
That evening, we joined everyone for the evening meal at the Blue Bell Inn opposite their hotel. Once again it gave everyone a chance to get to know each other better. There is nothing like a good meal and drink to open everyone up.
Saturday’s programme took everyone to RHS Harlow Carr gardens. A fire alarm at breakfast caused about half an hour’s delay on arrival, but there was plenty of time to look around. There was also a beer and cider festival running to keep them well watered and the icing on the cake was an Oompah band playing, The Bavarian Blatters (from Barnsley I think). The last two hours in the afternoon they managed to squeeze in a quick tour around Harrogate town centre before returning to the hotel.
Saturday evening everyone was invited to the Ukrainian Centre for the final get together. Everyone was well fed and watered. A piece of acting on stage with both groups taking part caused much merriment, and it now seems every time we meet a rousing chorus of “On Ilkley Moor Baht ‘at” has to be sung.
Our Civic Mayor, David Nevitt and his wife Kathleen attended the evening. It was also good to see some past club members during the evening and a group of Germans on an Internship at the Deaf School were made very welcome. Coincidentally they were also from Herten.
Sunday morning a few of us managed to see the coach off and say our goodbyes.
As always, over the years, these reunions have always been successful. Many friends have been made over the 27 years the friendship clubs have been running. It is always great to meet up with old friends and also to get to know new members of each group. It is also a good time to get to know members of your own club, longer periods together on these visits will bring members closer together, something that the monthly meeting do not give enough chance to. It is also a great chance for people to try out their German and practice what they have learnt.
It was unfortunate the visit occurred in Leger Week. It also seemed a lot of members were away or had other commitments, so our numbers were small. However I think we put on a good programme for them and I would like to thank everyone who was involved for making their visit a success. It shows that whatever the political situation, our friendship will continue and we look forward to meeting them again next year in Germany.
John Ellis MBE
John Ellis of the Doncaster Youth Jazz Association was recently awarded the Knight Commander's Medal of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany - a rare honour to a non-German citizen. You can read a full report about this on the German Embassy website at http://www.uk.diplo.de/Vertretung/unitedkingdom/en/__pr/Embassy__Events/07/JohnEllis.html
Herten's New Mayor 2016
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Herten's new mayor is Fred Toplak. He is not actively involved in any political party and will serve a five year term.
Further details can be found via the link below. https://www.herten.de/verwaltung-politik/buergermeister.html |
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Erich Klausener Schule Band
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The Erich Klausener Schule Big Band from our twin town of Herten is scheduled to perform alongside the Doncaster Youth Jazz Orchestra at the Cast theatre in Doncaster on 1st July 2016.
Tickets are on sale now at the price of £12.50! |
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Visit of our friends from Herten - September 2016
A party of 22 members from our partner town of Herten will be visiting Doncaster for 3 days in early September 2016.
Details of their proposed programme of activities will follow in the near future, when this has been confirmed.
Details of their proposed programme of activities will follow in the near future, when this has been confirmed.
Visit to Herten 2015
From Thursday 10th September until Monday 14th September a group of 20 members visited our partner town of Herten, with a very interesting and varied programme of activities planned by our friends of the Doncaster Freundeskreis. It was wonderful to meet up with many old friends as well as making new ones. Thank you very much to Brigitte and all other members of the Doncaster Freundeskreis for making us so welcome and making our stay so enjoyable.
Apple Tree Grafting Ceremony
In early May a ceremony took place to graft shoots from two Yorkshire apple varieties, the "Yorkshire Beauty" and the "Yorkshire Aromatic", to a tree in Herten dedicated to the town partnership.
http://www.hertener-allgemeine.de/staedte/herten/45699-Herten~/Streuobstwiese-Freundeskreis-Doncaster-veredelt-Apfelbaum;art995,1536119
In early May a ceremony took place to graft shoots from two Yorkshire apple varieties, the "Yorkshire Beauty" and the "Yorkshire Aromatic", to a tree in Herten dedicated to the town partnership.
http://www.hertener-allgemeine.de/staedte/herten/45699-Herten~/Streuobstwiese-Freundeskreis-Doncaster-veredelt-Apfelbaum;art995,1536119
Brigitte Bischoff-Doll
Hearty congratulations to our colleague in Herten, Brigitte Bischoff-Doll, who on May 7th 2015 will be receiving a citizen's award for the part she has played in fostering international relationships as chair of the Doncaster Freundeskreis.
A richly deserved accolade!
http://www.hertener-allgemeine.de/staedte/herten/45699-Herten~/Festakt-im-Schloss-Engagierte-Hertener-erhalten-den-Buergerpreis;art995,1554742
Hearty congratulations to our colleague in Herten, Brigitte Bischoff-Doll, who on May 7th 2015 will be receiving a citizen's award for the part she has played in fostering international relationships as chair of the Doncaster Freundeskreis.
A richly deserved accolade!
http://www.hertener-allgemeine.de/staedte/herten/45699-Herten~/Festakt-im-Schloss-Engagierte-Hertener-erhalten-den-Buergerpreis;art995,1554742
