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Activities in 2010
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Martyn Allies
Our Honorary Vice-President Martyn Allies, who was Chairman of the Association from 1977 to 1998 and active for many more years, died on 25 January 2010.
After a cremation, a Service of Thanksgiving was held on Friday 12 February at Caversham Heights Methodist Church, led by the Minister, the Reverend Jenny Dowding. The church was filled to overflowing with family and hundreds of friends, including many members of the Reading Düsseldorf Association. Tributes were given by Martyn's three children, his niece, and representatives of the Church.
A further Service of Celebration took place on Saturday 13 March at Reading Minster of St Mary the Virgin. Tributes were given by members of Martyn's family, by Bente Madeira of Reading International Support Centre, by Robert Dimmick, Chairman of the Reading Düsseldorf Association, and by June Whitcombe. June received Gretel Wicke (now Rieber) as her guest from Düsseldorf in 1948, and she read a message from Gretel. Robert's tribute can be read here. The preacher was the Revd David Ellis, Superintendent of the Reading and Silchester Circuit of the Methodist Church, standing in at short notice for the Revd Lord Griffiths of Burry Port, a former Minister of Caversham Heights Methodist Church, who was unwell; Lord Griffiths also sent memories of Martyn which were read out.
Donations in memory of Martyn can be sent to A.B. Walker & Son, Eldon Road, Reading RG1 4DL, either for the Methodist Relief and Development Fund or the Disasters Emergency Committee Haiti Earthquake Appeal.
Wine and Cheese Evening
At our annual Wine and Cheese Evening on Friday 26 February, the speaker was Susanne Holly from the Lore-Lorentz-Schule, Düsseldorf, talking about the German education system. Susanne visits Reading each year to support a group of students who come here for about three weeks for work experience in various companies and institutions. More (in German) here.
Susanne started by pointing out that there are actually 16 systems, one in each Land, and she had personal experience of three as a student, trainee teacher, and teacher. The talk concentrated on the system in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The primary level (years 1 to 4, ages 5 or 6 to 9 or 10) is very similar to primary schools in England, although perhaps a little less relaxed. At the secondary level, the system is more complex. The Gymnasium is roughly equivalent to a English grammar school, and all pupils are expected to take the Abitur (similar to A Level). The Gesamtschule, like English comprehensive schools, aims to provide for students of all abilities. Unlike the English system, there are many more schools comparable to secondary modern schools, teaching students up to year 9 or 10 (age 13-15) - these are the Hauptschule and Realschule.
After year 9 or 10, students in the Gymnasium usually continue there until year 13. Students from other schools may transfer to a Gymnasium to continue, or may go to a vocational college which may be a Berufskolleg, Fachoberschule, Berufsfachschule or Berufsschule.
After year 13, students may go to higher education (University, Fachhochschule, Kunsthochschule) or further education.
There are also special schools (Förderschule) for the whole age range.
The Lore-Lorentz-Schule is a Berufskolleg with 1200 pupils. It offers full-time education and GCSE/A Level equivalent qualifications (mittlerer Bildungsabschluss/Fachabitur/Abitur) plus vocational training. In this it differs from many other vocational schools, which take students on day release, normally one day per week. The course which Susanne teaches includes a large component of English as well as business and general education - more (in German) here.
Members found Susanne's talk very interesting and informative, and asked her many questions both during the talk and over refreshments.
Annual Dinner
Our Annual Dinner at The Maltsters was attended by 24 members and friends and by our guests, the Mayor of Reading, Cllr Fred Pugh and the Mayoress. Unfortunately we have no good pictures this year.
Concert
The Reading Symphony Orchestra and members of the Orchester der Landesregierung Düsseldorf played together in a performance of Mahler's 5th Symphony at the Concert Hall, Reading on Saturday 19 June.
Work Experience Visit
Six students from the Lore-Lorentz-Schule in Düsseldorf came to Reading for three weeks to work with a number of local organisations, including the Borough Council, the Museum of Reading, and Reading Transport.
We arranged a reception for the students with their teacher, Susanne Holly, and with members of the Association, employers and host families. The students gave an interesting presentation in excellent English about their impressions of England and Reading and the work they were doing.
Susanne Holly and the students from Lore-Lorentz-Schule
Students show their free bus passes provided by Reading Transport
Annual Barbecue
We held our Barbecue on Saturday 17 July 2010 in the garden of Regula Adams' house. The Mayor of Reading, Councillor Gul Khan, came as our guest of honour. The Chairman, Robert Dimmick, brought along some books and other items received from Martyn Allies' family, and also showed a press cutting from 1986 when he first attended the Association's barbecue.
Here are some pictures:
The Mayor and members of the Association at the Barbecue
The Mayor talking to Joan Belcher, Lily Allies and Margaret Mander (in background: Erika Birch and Bob Allies)
Historical Materials
Martyn Allies' family have given the Chairman several boxes of materials dating from Martyn's long connection with the Association. They include some interesting books about Düsseldorf, hundreds of photographs (mainly from 1995-99), hundreds of press cuttings, and items presented to the Association. There were also several video tapes, mainly about the 1997 Golden Jubilee celebrations; these have been re-recorded to a DVD, copies of which can be obtained from the Chairman.
The Chairman is listing and cataloguing the material. Some of it will eventually be deposited in the Berkshire Record Office or offered to the Museum of Reading. Some suitable items may be made available online through this website.
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© Reading-Düsseldorf Association 2010
22 July 2010
