Weilerswist visit to Whitnash 6th - 13th October 2001.

Thirty four German guests were welcomed to Whitnash at 6.00 p.m on Saturday 6th October by the Mayor and Mayoress of Whitnash, Tony and Jenny Heath, together with members of the Twinning Association who were hosting. After the reception the evening was spent with their respective hosts.

On Sunday 7th there was an Ecumenical service at the Methodist Church at 3.00 p.m., conducted by the Minister Clive Fowle, assisted by Steve Bate. Following the service the guests were invited to either Ian and Jen Colls or Tony and Jenny Heath for afternoon tea. The evening was spent with their hosts.

On Monday 8th a trip was organised to Hampton Court Palace and although the weather was not very good everyone enjoyed the visit. In the evening we held a Skittles Night at the Leopard Inn, Bishops Tachbrook, which was a resounding success, attended by seventy-one people. The ladies skittle champion was Brenda Sparkes from Whitnash, and for the men was Martin Depka from Weilerswist.

Tuesday 9th was a free day so the guests could spend time with their hosts.

On Wednesday 10th we made a visit to Halfpenny Green Vineyards Nr. Stourbridge in the morning and after a tour of the vineyards, a slide show, winetasting and lunch, we spent the afternoon with a little Retail Therapy at Merryhill shopping centre, Dudley. The evening was spent with hosts.

Thursday 11th we visited the British Transport Museum, and Cathedral in Coventry. We stopped for lunch at the Green Man Pub in Kenilworth. The committee of both towns met at 4.00 p.m. to discuss the visit and plan arrangements for our visit to Weilerswist in August 2002.

In the evening we held an English/German night in St Joseph's Parish Hall, A splendid three course meal was laid on by Lynn Barber (Cobweb Catering, Whitnash), music by duo Tony and Helen Roberts (Karisma), and wonderful Irish dancing by the children of St. Joseph's school.

Friday 12th we visited Crown Derby and were given a tour of the works which was of great interest. After lunch we went to Bakewell for more Retail Therapy. The evening was spent with hosts.

On Saturday 13th at 8.00 a.m. we bade a fond farewell to our guests and now look forward to our return visit next August.



Jim Byrne - Vice-Chairman (Germany)