2014
Wöllstein visits Great Barford
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On 29th May 2014 the Wöllstein coach arrived at the Great Barford Village Hall. 43 people came from Wöllstein to visit Great Barford. Luckily they brought the sunshine with them - for four whole days. A group of teenage schoolchildren and their teachers also travelled on the coach. The school had arranged their own accommodation and programme of activities for their pupils. They left immediately to settle into their lodgings.
After coffee, biscuits and nibbles at the bar our other weary travellers were taken home by their hosts. Friday 30th May was a free day but there was the option of a visit to the Bowls Club from 10.30am onwards. 36 people participated and all had a chance to try their hand at bowling. Light refreshments were provided by the Bowls Club. Many thanks to those Bowls Club members who made the visit so enjoyable. |
On Saturday 31st May we visited the chilli farm at Chawston and enjoyed chilli tasting and a tour conducted by Shawn the owner. We were split into two groups as space was limited. Shawn and his wife Joanna have developed a range of different products for sale in their shop. We sampled their dips which ranged from very mild to ferocious. Even hardened chilli lovers were surprised at the scale of heat of some of the chilli varieties produced. The greenhouses had originally been used to grow hydroponic tomatoes. Shawn realised the farm’s potential for growing chillies hydroponically and has not looked back since. Those of us that took the option of a buffet lunch at The Edible Kitchen were treated to a delicious spread. Many thanks go to Joanna and Shawn, for a great experience. |
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Sunday 1st June
In the morning we met at the Village Hall for a trip to Bedford. Bedford Tourist Information Centre provided us with maps for their self-guided “Did you know?” trail together with a translation in German for our guests, see slide show right. We all learned a lot about Bedford. There was also the opportunity to visit The Cecil Higgins Gallery to view their collection of 10 works by Turner. The Higgins Gallery, strangely enough, is very convenient for 'The Higgins Pantry' where we all gathered at mid-day to enjoy a delicious Sunday Lunch tapas buffet together. At 2.00pm we were all to assemble at the Swan Hotel Bridge landing stage for a boat trip down the Great Ouse to The Anchor at Great Barford, but this had to be postponed to a later visit. Very heavy rainfall up river from Bedford had caused the river to break it’s banks. Water was flowing over the locks in places and our sedate river trip would have been more like white water rafting! Not for the faint hearted. However, spirits were not dulled; we were able to spend more time enjoying the "Did you Know?" trail.
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On Saturday the Evening Dinner began promptly at 6.00pm for the speeches and the meal was served at 7.00. A musical interlude was provided by The Alma Singers who sang:- 1. Whistle Down the Wind
2. Fields of Gold 3. The Water is Wide 4. Les Miserables 5. It Don’t Mean A Thing 6. I Have a Dream Visit The Alma Singers website by clicking on the blue link. At the foot of the linked page you will find video footage of this performance of Fields of Gold and Les Miserables (The Abba Medley). Entertainment by the Ukulele band rounded off the evening.
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The day out was enjoyed by all and was followed by games in the evening with everyone taking part.
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Games night at Great Barford Village Hall included the traditional darts, carpet bowls and bar skittles competitions. Once more Mark Harlow, freestyle football star (who performed at the FA cup semi-final, Wembley, April 2013) did the impossible with his football. The Eddie Petri Trophy was won - narrowly - by Great Barford who had the edge in the bowls and skittles. The Reg Manton Memorial Trophy for Under 11 Skittles was won by Mattea Lahm. Andreas BIldin was 11 – 15 champion. A meal of Lamb Moussaka and garlic bread was served. Edmund Petri was presented with the gold pin from Wöllstein in recognition for all the work he has undertaken in bringing the two villages together; he was 90 years old on July 20th 2014. On Monday 2nd June our guests departed in their coach. We were sorry to see them leave but were delighted to be invited to visit them in Wöllstein again next May. |