Author Archives: Falkirk Twinning

The first meeting of the new session will be held in the Committee Suite, Municipal Buildings, Falkirk, FK1 5RS, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2017.   The theme for the evening will be a Kürbis Fest (pumpkin festival), with pumpkin-based refreshments and a pumpkin carving competition (bring along your already-carved pumpkin).  As usual,Continue reading “Open evening on October 10”

Members of the Odenwald Association enjoyed the sights and sounds of a winegrowers’ festival in Groß-Umstadt – during this month’s (September 2017) twinning trip to Germany. Pictures from the event, by Walter Simms, are published below. Click on any image to see a larger version. Find out more about the festival here. Read a separate reportContinue reading “Wine festival in Odenwald”

Odenwald Association (OA) members have returned from another fun filled trip to our twinning area, the Odenwaldkreis, with 2 couples staying in homes of friends and 4 others staying in Michelstadt at the familiar Michelstädter Hof.  (Scroll down for a gallery of images from the trip.) While an outline programme had been agreed with SchottlandContinue reading “Twinning visit to the Odenwaldkreis”

Next week a small group of members of the Odenwald Association are travelling to the Odenwald on a twinning visit, some staying with friends and some in hotel accommodation in Michelstadt.  A programme is being finalised by our hosts but  a highlight will be a visit to Gross Umstadt for the annual Winzerfest parade whichContinue reading “September visit to the Odenwald”

As in previous years, the Odenwald Association members ran a bottle stall at Airth Highland Games on 22 July 2017. Over weeks, donations of bottles were received and stored, waiting to be ticketed for the big day.   Manned by members and despite the rain, our Bottle Stall made £345.20, a very respectable amount and aContinue reading “Members show a lot of bottle at Games”

It is with great sadness that Members received the news of the passing of Josef Dettlaff at 93 years of age. An active member of the Association for many years, Joe’s infirmity in recent years curtailed his visits to the Odenwald but he had many friends in the Odenwald who will also mourn his passing.Continue reading “Remembering Josef Dettlaff”

The Odenwald Akademie has produced a 100 page booklet on the Odenwald. Whether you just admire the photos or want to practise your German, take a look inside.  View the booklet here. “Our beautiful Odenwald has produced a page turner!   You can take a look online. We would like to introduce you to yourContinue reading “Odenwald booklet online”

Fifteen Odenwald Association members and friends enjoyed a guided tour of the Kelpies, recommended by our February speaker, Helix volunteer Keith Jones.  Our guide, Ceira, spoke about the creation of the Helix park and how sculptor Andy Scott was inspired to design the Kelpies, before taking us inside one of the massive structures.  Once weContinue reading “Members visit Kelpies”

The Odenwald Association involvement in Tryst Festival continued on Monday evening 15 May when a Team took part in the annual Top of the Town Quiz.  The representatives, Jean, Terry, Donna and Andy did themselves proud finishing joint 5th out of over 20 teams. It was a fun evening. Thanks to Falkirk District Arts andContinue reading “Association takes part in quiz”

To mark the beginning of events for the Tryst Festival in Falkirk, community groups were invited to join in the Parade from the Town Hall, Falkirk to the High Street where groups of entertainers were performing to a cheery audience who turned out, despite the rain. Carrying the Odenwald Association banner and sporting Erbach umbrellas,Continue reading “Association on parade”

On Tuesday evening, Odenwald Association members had beautiful weather for their evening cruise along the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Seagull Trust, a charity which provides canal trips and holidays for the disabled and their families. In calm waters with beautiful reflections, Charlie, Walter, Greg and Andy entertained the group with songs as theyContinue reading “Evening sail on canal”

Tomorrow night, Tuesday 9 May, is a social evening in the form of a Canal trip along the Union Canal on a barge operated by The Seagull Trust. Directions are as folows: It is off Gartcows Road, FK1 5PT, where the road widens, and there is a small sign for the Seagull Trust.  You goContinue reading “Barge trip on May 9, 2017”

The following office bearers and committee members have been elected to serve the Odenwald Association. Office Bearers Chair – Walter SimmsVice-Chair – Gray AllanSecretary – Anne SimmsTreasurer – Charlie Tibbles   Executive Committee Walter Simms and Gray Allan are automatically on the Executive Committee – everyone else was elected: Andy Christie, Joe Detlaff,  Lynda Kenna, EmmaContinue reading “Election of office bearers and committee”

At last night’s AGM, Andy Christie stood down as Chair of the Odenwald Association. Presenting Andy with a gift from the Association members, Gray Allan commented on how he’s known Andy for several years, and has always been impressed by his energy and commitment, especially since he took over as Chair from the late PeterContinue reading “Andy Christie steps down”

Kayleigh Boardman, who is well known to many of our members as a dancer with the Jenkins School of Highland Dancing, came along to give a talk on her month-long volunteer placement with the Lilongwe Wildlife Trust in Malawi. The talk took place at the Odenwald Association’s meeting on March 14, 2017. Malawi is aContinue reading “Kayleigh gives talk on Malawi”

These pictures taken in 2017 show a snowy Odenwald.

The Odenwald Association was delighted to welcome Keith Jones, a presentation volunteer with the Helix park, who gave an interesting and informative illustrated talk about the regeneration of this area of Falkirk. The talk took place on February 14, 2017. Keith gave some history of the area in recent decades which led to the planningContinue reading “Volunteer Keith talks about Helix”

Just a quick reminder about this Tuesday’s meeting of The Odenwald Association (14 February 2017). The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in Room A, the Committee Suite, Municipal Buildings, Falkirk, and the speaker will be Keith Jones, a volunteer at the Helix, who will bring us up to date with the latest developments there. YouContinue reading “Helix love on February 14”

Martina and her partner, Thomas, invited Walter and me to stay with them in Gross-Zimmern for the last weekend in November 2016, when the Christmas markets spring up in every town in Germany (writes Anne Simms). Unfortunately, the Lufthansa pilots chose that week to go on strike so we had to fly out with BritishContinue reading “Festive visit to Odenwald”

Please note the dates of Odenwald Association meetings and activities planned for the coming months. Association meetings are held in The Municipal Buildings, West Bridge Street, Falkirk FK1 5RS 2016 November 8 Talk – Kayleigh Boardman, A Veterinary Nurse in Africa. 7.00 pm Municipal Buildings, Falkirk December No meeting 2017 January 10 Annual Dinner, CladhanContinue reading “Notice of meetings 2016-17”