Category Archives: Odenwald

The Odenwald Association was privileged to have Jens-Peter Voss, German Consul General, as guest speaker on Tuesday, November 14, 2017. The audience included local councillors and representatives from the West Lothian Twinning Association. Mr. Voss began by telling us about the work of the Consulate in Edinburgh, which is one of only two in theContinue reading “German Consul speaks to Association”

Elaine Mitchell, husband Andrew and friends enjoyed a trip through Germany. Elaine had a reunion with friends Jutta and Vroni who lived with Elaine in Falkirk for three months when undertaking work as student placements working with Falkirk Council.  Elaine’s report on the trip is published below, alongwith pictures from the trip. Following this year’s annualContinue reading “BSA Motorcycle Adventure”

Franziska, Secretary for Schottland Vereinigung (SLV) has sent a link to their website which has a report in German on the recent visit by members of the  Odenwald Association. The visit was also reported on this website.

The Odenwald Association kicked off the new session with a “Kürbisfest”, a  Pumpkin celebration as is enjoyed in the Odenwaldkreis.  Members were invited to bring along their carved pumpkins to be entered into a competition.    Members also contributed Pumpkin themed refreshments including Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Risotto and other savouries flavoured with the luscious pulp. Continue reading “Pumpkin fun at meeting”

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”