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Download the annual report for 2011 here
Our speaker at the Wine and Cheese Evening on Friday 25 February was Brother Peter Amendt (Order of Friars Minor) from the Franciscan friary in Düsseldorf. He spoke about the work of the Friary providing food, drink, shelter and support to homeless and needy people in the Bruder-Firminus-Klause through their charity vision:teilen.
Brother Peter Amendt speaking at the Wine and Cheese Evening
The Bruder-Firminus-Klause (Brother Firminus Cloister) is named after Brother Firminus Wickenhäuser, who was well-known in the pre-war years for looking after people in need. A proposal to beatify him is under consideration. The name of the charity "vision:teilen" can mean "sharing the vision" or "a vision of sharing".
The aim of these activities is to help people in ways that the State welfare system is unable to do, in a spirit of open generosity. Up to 200 people are helped every day.
Earlier in the day, Brother Peter had visited Christian Community Action and the Churches in Reading Drop-in Centre (CIRDIC) to see the similar work being done there, and met several helpers there. We hope that groups like these can share ideas and experiences with their Düsseldorf colleagues.
Brother Peter at CCA
At CIRDIC
The annual dinner of the Association took place at the Maltsters, Rotherfield Greys on Friday 3 April, when our guests of honour were the Mayor of Reading, Councillor Gul Khan, and the Mayoress.
On Friday 13 May 2011, Andrew Peach broadcast his morning show on BBC Radio Berkshire from Düsseldorf, including interviews with people there and in Reading. There were recorded interviews with Barbara Thom, Phoebe Cusden's daughter, who went to Düsseldorf in 1947 with her, and with Gretel Rieber who was one of the six children who came from Düsseldorf to Reading in 1948 and June Whitcombe who was her host. The studio guests were Robert Dimmick, the Chairman, and James Freeman, the Vice-Chairman.
The Association held a party to watch the Final of the Eurovision Song Contest at the Penta Hotel, Reading on Saturday 14 May. The final was broadcast from the ESPRIT Arena in Düsseldorf. The party was free, and a selection of German food was provided. The programme was shown on a large screen.
Over 100 people came, including the Mayor of Reading, Councillor Gul Khan. There were people from Germany, Sweden, Spain and other European countries. There was also an exhibition about the Association.
During the evening, a collection was taken in support of the British Red Cross Japan Tsunami Appeal. It raised £171.70 - and €20.00.
We would like to thank Reading Borough Council for their support; the Penta Hotel for providing the room and the screen; and BBC Radio Berkshire, the Reading Chronicle, the Reading Post, and Reading Buses for advertising and reporting.
The Chairman, Robert Dimmick, and the Mayor of Reading, Councillor Gul Khan, opened the Annual Fete of the Berkshire Maestros on Saturday 21 May. The funds raised by the fete helped to support the visits to Düsseldorf this year by young musicians from Berkshire Maestros, who were also supported by a grant from the Reading Düsseldorf Association.
The Reading Festival Chorus held a concert on Saturday 4 June in the Town Hall, Reading together with the Johanneskantorei from Düsseldorf and the Reading Symphony Orchestra. The programme included the "Te Deum" by Bruckner and "Four Sacred Pieces" by Verdi. After the concert, a reception for the players was supported by a grant from the Reading Düsseldorf Association.
The Chorus and the Johanneskantorei performed the "Te Deum" again in Düsseldorf on Saturday 17 September.
The Chairman, Robert Dimmick, and the Reverend Margaret Dimmick were among the guests at the fortieth anniversary celebrations of the Reading Male Voice Choir at which presentations were made to its Musical Director, Gwyn Arch MBE.
Four young people from the Lore-Lorentz-Schule visited Reading for three weeks in June 2011, on work placements with Reading Borough Council, Sport Reading, the University of Reading and Reading Transport. The Reading Düsseldorf Association held a reception on Tuesday 5 July, attended by the Mayor of Reading, Councillor Deborah Edwards, at which the students gave their impressions of living and working in Reading.
Students presenting at Reading Town Hall
A group of 15 visitors from the Churches in Düsseldorf came to Reading on Sunday 24 July to stay for a week with Reading people.
The Churches Interchange outside Reading Civic Offices
The Mayor of Reading, Councillor Deborah Edwards, welcomed the group to Reading at a reception in the Mayor's Parlour on Monday 25 July. In the afternoon, the Chairman of the Reading Düsseldorf Association, Robert Dimmick, led the group on a walk round Reading.
The Mayor, Councillor Deborah Edwards, with some members of the group
On Tuesday 26 July, the group and friends went on a coach tour to Winchester, where they visited the Cathedral, Winchester College and St Cross Hospital.
Wednesday and Thursday were free days.
On Friday 29 July, the group met at St Andrew's Church, Caversham for a talk by Ann-Marie Paterson, Managing Director of Christian Community Action. After this they had tea, followed by an ecumenical service led by the Reverend Nigel Jones (Vicar), the Reverend Margaret Dimmick and Frau Eleonore Dedring.
Members of the group attended the Reading Düsseldorf Association's Barbecue on Saturday 29 July. In the evening there was a farewell party at St Peter's Church Hall, Earley, where they were entertained by Clare Mellor (flute) and Jenny Broome (harp).
Clare and Jenny playing at Churches Exchange final party
The Reading Düsseldorf Association held its annual Barbecue on Saturday 29 July at the home of Regula Adams in Caversham. Many members of the Association were present, together with hosts and guests from the Reading Düsseldorf Churches Interchange, and the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Gul Khan.
Unlike some previous years, we had excellent weather.
Guests at the barbecue
Chairman Robert Dimmick, Deputy Mayor Gul Khan and visitors at barbecue
Our Annual General Meeting was held on Thursday 3 November 2011 in the Civic Offices, Reading. The Mayor, Councillor Debs Edwards, took the Chair.
Rhiannon Greenaway of Berkshire Maestros and several of the young people who visited Düsseldorf during the year talked about their concerts and activities there, and we were entertained by a tuba player and a pair of trumpets. Their performance was applauded with enthusiasm.
Rachel Paton of the Reading Festival Chorus told us about their successful joint concerts with the Johanneskantorei, and Laurie Haseler reported on the visit by church people from Düsseldorf.
The Chairman, Robert Dimmick, reported on other events and activities during the year, and referred to the valuable work of Philip Birch as Treasurer since 1989. The Mayor then moved a vote of thanks to Philip, which was carried with acclamation.
In the election of officers and committee, Evelyn Williams replaced Chris Barlow as Secretary, while Chris succeeded Philip as Treasurer.
Evelyn Williams also spoke about the HistoryPin project to link photographs on the internet to their place and date. Some photographs from the Association's history have been uploaded here.
The Annual Report was distributed to members following the meeting.
