The 2002 AGM was on Wednesday 28 November 2002 at the Civic Offices, Civic Centre, Reading.  About 50 members and friends attended.  Our President, the Mayor of Reading, Councillor Liz Winfield-Chislett was in the Chair.  

We were sorry to hear that Tony Tinkel had to give up his position as Secretary because of ill-health, and sent good wishes to Tony.  James Spackman was elected as the new Secretary.

The meeting heard reports on the year's activities, and agreed a Strategy for Development.  We also heard about a forthcoming book, "Hands of Friendship", to be published in 2003 by Corridor Press.

Following the formal meeting, members talked over light refreshments.

Wine-Tasting Evening

We had a very interesting talk and wine-tasting evening with Gerald Hughes on 8 October.  He explained the characteristics of different German wines, and strongly recommended drinking good dry white German wines on their own, rather than with food.  He introduced samples of four wines, from a cheap Tafelwein to a good Auslese.

Mrs Phyllis King

The funeral of Mrs Phyllis King, the Honorary Vice-President of the Association, took place on Wednesday 21 August.  Phyllis and her late husband Harold, who had been Secretary of the Association, had served us well for over 30 years, and she is sadly missed.

Reading-Düsseldorf Churches Interchange

A group of 35 people from Düsseldorf churches visited Reading as part of the Churches Interchange from Sunday 18 August to Sunday 25 August 2002.  There was an excursion to Gloucester and a boat trip on the Thames to Mapledurham.  The group also took part in an ecumenical service, a breakfast with discussion on immigration and asylum, and a farewell party.

WOMAD Festival

Members of the One World Forum (Eine Welt Forum Düsseldorf e.v.) were in Reading from 26 to 28 July for the WOMAD festival, and met the Mayor, members of the Reading-Düsseldorf Association and other twinning organisations.

Barbecue, Sunday 14 July 2002

A Barbecue was held in Caversham on a very sunny Sunday, attended by about 40 members and friends of the Association.  Among those present was the Deputy Mayor of Reading, Councillor Jeanette Skeats, who presented the Association with a cheque for the previous Mayor's donation.

Deputy Mayor Jeanette Skeats talking to Martyn Allies at the Barbecue on 14 July 2002

Annual Dinner, Thursday 11 April 2002

The Annual Dinner was held at Reading University.  Our guest of honour was the Mayor of Reading, Councillor Tony Jones, who mentioned particularly his hope of developing a new twinning between Reading and Speightstown, Barbados, and said that he planned to make a donation to the Association from his Charity Fund to support the development of work experience for young people.

Wine and Cheese Evening, 22 February 2002

Our guests were Gretel Rieber, one of the original Düsseldorf visitors from 1948, and June Whitcombe, her host.  They gave an inspiring and enjoyable account of how they first met, what the experience was like, and what it has meant to them.

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