Fantastic visit from our friends, the Musikverein Wurmersheim
The weekend of 10th - 13th July 2008 saw our friends the Musikverein Wurmersheim visit England to see us. Our German guests had a great time and we really enjoyed seeing them again and having the chance to perform together. Below are a few details from the weekend along with lots of photos.
Thursday 10th July
Our guests arrived a little earlier than expected after a 16 hour bus journey so all were keen to get out and stretch their legs. We greeted them at the seafront in Littlehampton and took them for a walk along the promenade where a few of them got to have a paddle in the sea.
Afterwards, we had laid on a light meal for them in St Mary's church and we were joined by the Mayor of Littlehampton, Councillor Alan Gammon who welcomed our guests to the town. There were also speeches by the chairpersons of each band and we were presented with a gift of the Musikverein Wurmershiem banner.
Friday 11th July
Despite a long journey the previous day, our guests were up early for a bus tour of London. They were shown around the famous sites and one of our trumpeters, Ray Skingley provided an excellent commentary (although he did tell them that the Great Fire of London started in 1966 - I think by someone who was busy watching the football!)
In the evening, with an efficiency that our German guests would have been proud of, we treated them to traditional fish and chips which were ready just in time for their return from London. After washing that down with plenty of beer, it was then time to get ready for the evenings performances.
Our Summer Concert was a great night and after a short introduction by Bob in both German and English, the Musikverein Wurmersheim showed us what they could do. They had a varied programme which featured some excellent solos but the most popular item was the Schwartzwaldermaden which had that wonderful Oom-Pah sound.
It was then our turn to impress and we gave it our all by playing some popular items from our Summer season. We did include a piece entitled German Folk Fantasy, bought especially for the concert, although Bob, still practicing his linguistic skills, admitted that the folk songs included in the piece were from the north of Germany and not the south, where our guests lived.
The highlight of the evening was at the end when both bands got on stage to play through Hoch Badnerland (the local anthem of our guests) and Sussex by the Sea. Words were provided and the audience sang both numbers with gusto.
Saturday 12th July
Most of the day was free for our guests to do what they wished so most went to Brighton to do some shopping. A few spent the day with their hosts, some going to Portsmouth whilst others stayed closer to home, looking round Littlehampton and Arundel.
In the evening, everyone met in Poling for a village feast which was great fun. A hog roast was laid on so there was plenty to eat and drink plus the villagers had organised games. Both bands performed during the evening and the German band even got everyone up and performing actions to their music.
After the music, a couple of closing speeches were made and a framed commemorative map of Poling, designed by local people for the millenium, was presented to our friends. Then it was once more time to play both bands' anthems to close a great evening.
Sunday 13th July
After such a hectic but fun weekend, members of the band turned out at 7:15am to say goodbye to our guests. As is tradition, everyone joined arms and sang Auld Lang Syne before the coach set off for their long journey back.
As for us, it had been a tiring weekend but a really enjoyable one nonetheless and a fantastic way to end our Summer season.
Special thanks to Nick Barnes for the excellent photography.