Anglo-German Beekeeping Exchange 1972 to 2011
The exchange with the beekeepers of Ashford’s twin town Bad Muenstereifel was started in 1972 to promote international friendship and an understanding of each other’s ideas and methods.
These visits were first on an annual basis, but soon changed to bi-annual, which means that we act as hosts every four years as we did in 2009, and we also visit our beekeeping friends in the Eifel every four years.
The visits to the Eifel incur no expense to the Branch, as each member of the group funds their own travel costs and pocket money. Most people book a five-day trip, but some members have taken the opportunity of a Continental holiday before or after. Car-sharing is also a possibility.
The proposed dates for 2011 are from Thursday 26th to Monday 30th May. Our German friends are very keen to involve new faces, and it would be nice if some of our more recent members took part in the exchange.
I can assure anyone who may be interested that they will have a unique experience, especially if they have not before been hosted in a family. One gets a much more intimate insight into the lives of our European neighbours. And don’t be put off because you don’t speak German: there is usually someone in a German family who can act as interpreter!
Monika Mann
At the recent AGM, Trevor Atkins, our Deputy Chairman, kindly agreed to organize the forth-coming visit to Germany. He can be reached on the following email: rosemaryatkins19_yahoo.co.uk.
