Reports 2023
Please note that not every group receives direct cash aid from the Association.
Mary Gibson - International Reading Day
Exchanges were much slower to restart after the Covid
pandemic than we had anticipated.
Clearly it will take some time and effort to rebuild the momentum.
- A group of students from St. Kentigern's school visited HSK funded by Europe.......
translation below
Vocational college in Eichholz remembers the Möhne catastrophe.
Scottish and German students set off together to the dam to explore
its history.
Arnsberg / Möhnesee
Today the dam is a popular excursion destination. What is quickly
forgotten is that exactly 80 years ago
it was an iconic site during the second world war. The Möhne
catastrophe, as a memorial for peace,
was therefore the focus of a special encounter. The students of both
Nations were obviously
impressed by the imposing structure, whose inner workings they were
allowed to explore.
The bombing of the dam by the RAF is firmly anchored in Scottish
memory. Head of Modern Languages
at St. Kentigern's Academy in Blackburn, Imelda Glakin, summarised
their impressions into words-
"It makes you think, standing in this place yourself". Vice-Principal
Sarah Murray emphasised
"The shared memory of the younger generation lays the foundation for
friendship across borders.
" The school groups had previously worked on the historical events
together at the Vocational College
at Eichholz. The visit concluded with a public discussion.
Lively conversations
Sebastian Schüttler, Chairman of the German twinning committee
summarised by saying "The lively
conversations testify to a friendly relationship between the two
nations, which we as an
association will continue into the future. The cross-border
co-operation between the two
Twinning Associations has been impressive for over 50 years, showing
how opponents can become
friends. The civic basis of the partnership has formed the voluntary
work which is now undertaken
by both twinning committees. An important part of the partnership is
to promote encounters
between young people, especially in view of current conflicts, to
inspire future generations."
- ..... and a group of students reciprocated with a visit to St. Kentigern's
- Chairman Chris Horne made a private, social visit to HSK.
Visit to St. Michael's, Linlithgow, with WLTA Chairman Chris Horne and past Chair Liz Liddell.
Group leader with Councillor Carl John at the Canal Society in Linlithgow.
- A youth club from HSK visited West Lothian. Uli Blum, second from left, is a former HSK
Councillor
having served from 1989 to 2020.
We are hopeful that we may receive fuller reports from one or more of these groups.