In 1988 the Bathgate based NEWLAND CONCERT BRASS made its first trip abroad; a concert tour of Hochsauerland in Germany.  This visit developed links with both the area and a German band, NEHEIM HUSTEN FANFARENKORPS.  The following year a partnership was agreed and since then both bands have taken part in several exchange visits over the years. The Fanfarenkorps last visited Bathgate in June 2008.

In July this year, Newland Concert Brass visited Neheim as guests of the Neheim Husten Fanfarenkorps. A party of 32 (ages 7 years to 75 years!) left rainy Bathgate on Thursday 1^st July on a Hunters coach bound for Hull where they took the overnight crossing to Zeebrugge.

They arrived on Friday 2^nd July at the Fanfarenkorps bandhall in Neheim where they were welcomed by band members and enjoyed a buffet. Newland members met and went home with their host families in and around Neheim while other Newland members then travelled to the Youth Hostel at Lake Mohnesee.

On Saturday 3^rd July many Newland members went sightseeing around the local area with their host families. Newland members who were staying at the Youth Hostel enjoyed sailing and swimming in the lake in the glorious sunshine! In the afternoon Newland Concert Brass took part in the Schützenfest at Bergheim which involved a march and a concert in 35 degrees!! There were several other bands also taking part in the Schutzenfest including the Neheim Husten Fanfarenkorps. There was also an opportunity to watch Germany in the World Cup quarter finals on the large outdoor screen which resulted in a fabulous atmosphere! The Veltins flowed and there was some dancing too.

On Sunday 4^th July Newland Concert Brass and some of the Fanfarenkorps visited Fort Fun theme park where they played two 45 minute concerts during the day and the remaining time was for members to explore the park. Highlights of the day were the Trapper Slider (a Toboggan ride of 1.3 km with many twists and turns at high speed through the forrest) and the Wild Eagle (flying above the park at over 80 km / h, 700 metres down the mountain.)

On Monday 5^th July Newland members and Fanfarenkorps visited Cologne for a day of sightseeing and shopping. Many Newland members climbed the 533 steps to the top of the Cologne Cathedral. (Kolner Dom)

On Tuesday 6^th July Newland members visited the football stadium of "Borussia Dortmund" where they had an informative and interesting guided tour and took lots of photographs. Later in the afternoon they enjoyed a delicious barbecue with host families and members of the Fanfarenkorps at the Youth Hostel.

There was free time on Wednesday 7^th July for Newland members to do their own thing. At the Mohnesse –some played Adventure Golf, went swimming, cycling or enjoyed the paddleboats etc. Two members of Newland Concert Brass visited a primary school in Neheim and took part in an English lesson. Everybody met up later in the afternoon to explore the town of Neheim and enjoy an ice cream. Newland Concert Brass and Neheim Husten Fanfarenkorps took part in an official evening in the Fanfarenkorps bandhall where members of the Twinning Association were also present. After the speeches, there were presentations of gifts. Later in the evening Newland Concert Brass and Neheim Husten Fanfarenkorps watched the semi finals of the World Cup where unfortunately Germany lost. Band members said their goodbyes on Thursday 8^th July and boarded the coach bound for Scotland. Newland Concert Brass would like to thank the West Lothian Twinning Association for their support of this visit. For more photos of the trip please visit the band’s website,

www.newlandconcertbrass.org.uk